Gunnebo Year-end Release 2011


Gunnebo Year-end Release 2011

 

Comments by Gunnebo’s President and CEO Per Borgvall

“2011 has been an eventful year. We are continuing to implement the established
strategy which means, for example, that we have continued to streamline our
business by divesting the fencing business, Perimeter Protection, and have
strengthened our core business with the acquisition of South African Alltech and
the sales company in Brazil. We have also continued to invest in and lay a firm
foundation for growth in China, India and Indonesia.

The aim of our strategy is to focus fully on our core business, create growth
and improve the Group's profitability. 2011 finished strongly with operating
profit excluding items affecting comparability of MSEK 138 in the fourth
quarter, which equates to a margin of 9.2%. For the year as a whole there was a
gross margin of 30.5% (29.3%), an operating margin of 6.3% (3.7%) and a strongly
improved net profit of MSEK 230 (178), equating to an increase of 29% on the
previous year. Net debt at the year-end amounted to MSEK 299 (261) and the
equity ratio totalled 45% (43%). Our strong financial position leaves head-room
for further growth initiatives.

The markets outside Europe have shown a strong development during the year with
a growth-rate of 21%. In the Asia-Pacific region, growth was 26%.

The markets in Northern Europe have shown stable develop-ment during the year,
as have some markets in Southern Europe such as France and Italy. However, we do
not see any signs of a quick recovery of the negative market development in
Spain, which is the background to the cost-savings program communicated in
December.

The strategy that was carved out in 2010 and implemented in 2011 means that we
now have a clear focus on our core business. In 2012 Gunnebo will continue to
invest in growth, conduct activities which improve the gross margin as well as
drive activities leading to greater sales-efficiency in the European sales
organisations. To help in this we have a strong financial position, a
streamlined business and an organisation prepared to seize the opportunities
being offered in the 2012 financial year.”

Fourth quarter 2011

  · Order intake amounted to MSEK 1,223 (1,206), in constant currency rates it
increased by 3%.
  · Net sales improved to MSEK 1,492 (1,441), in constant currency rates they
increased by 6%.
  · Operating profit excluding expenses of a non-recurring nature amounted to
MSEK 138 (142) and the operating margin to 9.2% (9.9%).
  · Operating profit strengthened to MSEK 166 (65) and the operating margin to
11.1% (4.5%).
  · Net financial items improved to MSEK -7 (-18).
  · Profit after tax for the period improved and totalled MSEK 153 (146).
  · Earnings per share were SEK 1.98 (1.93).

2011 as a whole 

  · Order intake increased in constant currency rates by 2% and amounted to MSEK
5,091 (5,271).
  · Net sales increased in constant currency rates by 3% and amounted to MSEK
5,137 (5,263).
  · Operating profit excluding expenses of a non-recurring nature amounted to
MSEK 317 (324) and the operating margin to 6.2% (6.1%).
  · Operating profit strengthened to MSEK 324 (197) and the operating margin was
6.3% (3.7%).
  · Net financial items improved to MSEK -26 (-75).
  · Profit after tax for the period improved and totalled MSEK 230 (178).
  · Earnings per share were SEK 3.00 (2.35).
  · The Board and the President propose a dividend of SEK 1.00 (SEK 0.50) per
share.

Full report is attached to this press release.

The interim report will be presented by Gunnebo’s President and CEO Per Borgvall
and CFO Fredrik Östman at a phone conference February 9, 10.00 CET. To
participate in the conference, please sign up using the link below. When
registering, you will receive a phone number and a password:

https://eventreg1.conferencing.com/webportal3/reg.html?Acc=720511&Conf=182187
On Gunnebo’s website you will also find presentation material for download appr.
30 minutes prior to the conference starts.

GUNNEBO AB (publ)
Group Communications

For further information, please contact:

Per Borgvall, President and CEO Gunnebo AB, tel. +46 10 2095 000, or
Fredrik Östman, CFO Gunnebo AB, tel. +46 10 2095 000, or
Karin Wallström, Communication & IR Director Gunnebo AB, tel. +46 10 2095 026,
or e-mail karin.wallstrom@gunnebo.com

www.gunnebo.com

Gunnebo discloses the information provided herein pursuant to the Swedish
Securities Markets Act and/or the Financial Instruments Trading Act. The
information was submitted for publication at 08.01 CET on February 9, 2012.

 

Attachments