euro adhoc: LPKF Laser & Electronics AG
Annual Reports
LPKF
boosts turnover, stronger growth in profit
Disclosure announcement transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer is responsible for the content of this announcement.
21.03.2005
The Group generated the following results in 2004:
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2004 2003 Change
-------------- -------------- ---------
Turnover TEUR 25,167 22,667 +11%
Profit TEUR 930 768 +21%
Net margin 3.7% 3.4%
EBIT TEUR 1,728 1,294 +34%
EBIT margin 6.9% 5.7%
EPS EUR 0.09 0.07 +29%
Financial
Resources TEUR 7,125 5,999 +19%
Capital ratio 70% 71%
Orders in hand
as at 31.12. TEUR 2,368 1,859 +27%
Current orders
in hand TEUR 4,130 2,118 +95%
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Notes on the annual results:
Thanks in particular to the successful sales of cutting and drilling
lasers in Asia, LPKF succeeded in considerably boosting its turnover
and generating an over-proportional improvement in profit. Numerous
new and further developed products gained good acceptance amongst the
customers and underpinned the very satisfactory development in
business, particularly in the 4th quarter. Additional positive
effects were associated with the overall economic upswing. LPKF Laser
& Electronics AGs high level of current orders in hand compared to
the previous year is an indicator of the continuing positive trend.
The Board of Managing Directors and the Supervisory Board will
propose the payment of a dividend of 4 Cent per share to the annual
general meeting.Outlook for 2005: This dynamic growth is to be continued in the ongoing financial year by committed implementation of the companys marketing strategy. A variety of new and improved products have been launched on the market in recent months. The objective is now to realise this potential and reflect it in rising turnover and profit figures by further strengthening the marketing and service structures. Management is relying here in particular on positive impulses from the PCB Production Systems and Rapid PCB Prototyping segments. In addition to increasing turnover to Euro 30 million, the objective is to considerably improve the earnings situation. Achieving this involves generating growth in turnover with a minor rise in costs. Asia continues to be the regional focus of LPKFs growth strategy. The intention here is to reach customers seeking to acquire larger numbers of machines, especially in product segments with a high growth potential, such as PCB Production. The new measuring method for the packaging of chips developed by LPKF Motion & Control GmbH promises further momentum. The first signs of progress in the marketing effort for the 3D-MID segment have now been confirmed with the series production of MIDs for the medical sector - however, more effort is required before this segment is successfully established in the market. The laser plastic-welding method has now achieved a considerable degree of market acceptance and has led to the first follow-up orders by existing customers for equipment and service. This process is thus establishing itself in a market which develops independently of the cyclic electronics industry. The LPKF Group considers the figures for the 2004 financial year to confirm that it is charting a course for solid growth and is in an excellent position to grow more strongly with optimism and commitment in 2005.
LPKF Laser & Electronics AG shares are listed in the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ISIN 000645000).
end of announcement euro adhoc 22.03.2005 08:00:00
Further inquiry note:
Bettina Schäfer
Tel.: +49 (0)5131 7095 382
b.schaefer@lpkf.de
Branche: Semiconductors & active components
ISIN: DE0006450000
WKN: 645000
Index: Prime Standard, CDAX, Prime All Share, Technologie All Share
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