DGAP-News: Graphit Kropfmühl AG / Key word(s): Quarter Results
Graphit Kropfmühl AG: Turnover jumps to EUR 60.7 million in the 1st
half year; EBITDA of EUR 8.9 million; Investments of approx. EUR 2.5
million
10.08.2011 / 07:00
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Kropfmühl, Germany, 10 August 2011 --- In the second quarter of 2011 the
Graphit Kropfmühl group (DEUTSCHE BOERSE: 'GKR') was able to confirm the
positive course of business at the beginning of the year. Demand proved
stable in both business segments, even though the performance ratios of the
first quarter could not be reached again.
Compared to macroeconomic growth rates the group turnover in the second
quarter increased disproportionately by 19.0 % to TEUR 29,773. After the
record turnover of the first quarter, the total first half year compared to
the same period of the previous year still showed a remarkable jump in
turnover of more than 30 % to TEUR 60,671.
Higher sales proceeds in the most important product fields and efficiency
increases resulting from excellently utilised production capacities more
than compensated increased costs on the procurement side. Despite higher
selling, general and administrative expenses in relation to project costs
for the exploration of raw material deposits in Mozambique and Brazil, and
higher personnel expenses, the development of earnings therefore is highly
satisfying.
Group January to June 2011 2010 Change
Total sales in TEUR 60,671 46,644 30.1 %
Gross profit in TEUR 12,437 4,772 > 100.0 %
EBITDA 1 in TEUR 8,914 2,952 > 100.0 %
EBIT in TEUR 7,234 934 > 100.0 %
EBT in TEUR 6,436 512 > 100.0 %
Consolidated earnings for the
year in TEUR 4,562 385 > 100.0 %
Employees (June 30) 496 478 3.8 %
Profitability 2011 2010
EBITDA margin 1 in % 14.7 6.3
EBIT margin in % 11.9 2.0
Return on sales in % 10.6 1.1
Return on equity in % 15.6 1.6
1 Adjusted EBITDA before restructuring measures and impairing losses,
expenses for recultivation and foreign exchange result
Silicon-metal segment
Despite a five-week maintenance-related furnace downtime the silicon-metal
segment in the second quarter compared to the previous year reached a clear
turnover increase of 21.8 % to TEUR 19,305.
In the first half year 2011 this segment through higher sales volumes and
higher sales prices generated a turnover increase of 28.5 % to TEUR 39,478.
Altogether the sales volumes of silicon-metal increased by 3.2 % to 14,883
t. With RW filler products, by-products of silicon-metal production, a
sales volume of 12,200 t means a 13.8 % increase compared to the previous
year.
Earnings ratios in the silicon-metal segment again clearly increased.
Silicon-metal segment January to June 2011 2010 Change
Sales volume in t 29,788 27,802 3.2 %
Sales in TEUR 39,478 30,719 28.5 %
Segment share of total sales in % 65.1 65.9
EBITDA 1 in TEUR 7,091 1,436 > 100.0 %
EBIT in TEUR 6,283 569 > 100.0 %
EBT in TEUR 6,235 402 > 100.0 %
Employees (30 June) 110 106 3.8 %
1 Adjusted EBITDA before restructuring measures and impairing losses,
expenses for recultivation and foreign exchange result
Graphite segment
Conditions on the raw material procurement market have noticeably changed
in the last two years. The graphite segment also could not avoid these
external influences that for example resulted from export limitations of
the Chinese government, and had to accept clearly increased prices or less
favourable payment terms on the procurement side. In the second quarter
necessary price adjustments on the customer side despite lower sales
volumes compared to the previous year resulted in a turnover increase to
TEUR 10,468. In sometimes difficult negotiations since the beginning of the
year 2011 the sales prices had to be increased step by step and adapted to
the higher raw material purchase prices.
The demand for natural graphite products still remains at a very high
level. As a consequence, production capacities mostly were excellently
utilised, which resulted in efficiency increases that, however, only
partially compensated the effects of higher procurement prices. The gross
profit clearly increased compared to the previous year, but the achieved
gross profit margin remained lower than in the previous year despite the
clear increase in turnover.
Expenses for the securing of future raw material supplies relating to the
projects in Brazil and Mozambique also burdened the earnings and resulted
in an only disproportionately low increase of the adjusted EBITDA.
Graphite segment January to June 2011 2010 Change
Sales volume in t 12,460 11,203 11.2 %
Sales in TEUR 21,193 15,925 33.1 %
Segment share of total sales in % 34.9 34.1
EBITDA 1 in TEUR 1,823 1,516 20.3 %
EBIT in TEUR 951 365 > 100.0 %
EBT in TEUR 201 110 82.7 %
Employees (30 June) 386 372 3.8 %
1 Adjusted EBITDA before restructuring measures and impairing losses,
expenses for recultivation and foreign exchange result
Investments
In the first half year the Graphit Kropfmühl group used TEUR 2,512 for
replacement and expansion investments in property, plant and equipment.
Compared to the same period of the previous year investment activities thus
increased by almost 50 %. In the silicon-metal segment the major part of
the investments of TEUR 889 was used for equipping a furnace at the Pocking
plant with a composite electrode system. The modernisation of another arc
furnace has been initiated and will increase the capacity of the furnace
and at the same time reduce its specific energy consumption. Modernisation
work is planned to be completed by the middle of 2012 with a total
investment volume of approx. EUR 6 million.
The graphite segment in the first half year 2011 invested an amount of TEUR
1,623 in new capacities to be able to meet the future demand resulting from
the considerable growth potential in the field of construction chemistry.
At the Kropfmühl plant the construction of an additional micronising line
was therefore started in the first quarter to further increase
competitiveness. Furthermore, additional micronising capacities were
created in China, and the acquisition of a lubricant production line was
concluded in Sri Lanka.
Outlook
Despite the lowering of individual early indicators that already indicate a
flattening of the presently still very strong economic development, the
outlook and expectations of our company concerning the possible course of
business in the second half year are positive.
Based on the development in the first half year, on the current business
situation, and on the forecasts for 2011 the group has raised its turnover
forecast for the total year to more than EUR 110 million. Earnings ratios
are expected to rise in line with the development of turnover, provided
that the general economic environment remains stable. In the silicon-metal
segment the price adjustments reached for the year 2011 should result in
clearly improved turnover and profitability ratios. The graphite segment
still remains under the impression of strongly increased procurement
prices. Depending on the future development on the relevant markets,
further adjustments may be necessary on the selling side, which would lead
to a disproportionately high increase of the segment turnover. However, the
profitability development of the graphite segment will not be able to keep
pace with the development of turnover.
Financial calendar
9-month report 2011 09 November 2011
German Equity Forum, Frankfurt 23 November 2011
Annual General Meeting, Munich 20 June 2012
Forward-looking statements
This press release contains statements about future developments that are
based on currently available information and may involve risks and
uncertainties, the result of which may be that the actual results may
differ from the forward-looking statements. Statements about future
developments must not be understood as guarantees. Future developments and
events rather depend on a variety of factors, they contain various risks
and imponderabilities and are based on assumptions that might turn out to
be incorrect. For example, these include unforeseeable changes of the
general political, economic, and social conditions.
Information on the company
Graphit Kropfmühl AG is a specialist for the production of silicon-metal
and a globally leading supplier of refined natural graphite, with locations
in Europe, Asia and Africa. The company that is listed in the Prime
Standard (ISIN: DE0005896005) provides its customers with silicon-metal and
graphite solutions for the most versatile applications. Silicon-metal is
used in the chemical, aluminium, semiconductor and solar cell industries.
High-quality graphite among others is used in lubricants, carbon brushes
for electric motors, and in the chemical industry, for example for thermal
insulation and energy saving programs.
End of Corporate News
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Language: English
Company: Graphit Kropfmühl AG
LangheinrichstraÃe 1
94051 Hauzenberg
Germany
Phone: +49 (0)8586/609-197
Fax: +49 (0)8586/609-111
E-mail: ir@gk-graphite.com
Internet: www.gk-graphite.com
ISIN: DE0005896005
WKN: 589600
Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard);
Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, München,
Stuttgart
End of News DGAP News-Service
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134934 10.08.2011
DGAP-News: Graphit Kropfmühl AG: Turnover jumps to EUR 60.7 million in the 1st half year; EBITDA of EUR 8.9 million; Investments of approx. EUR 2.5 million
| Source: EQS Group AG