DGAP-News: H&R AG / Key word(s): Preliminary Results
H&R AG continues on its course of growth
17.02.2012 / 10:00
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H&R AG continues on its course of growth
- Increase in revenue of 14.4% to EURO 1,209.5 million
- EBITDA of EURO 89.1 million following EURO 103.4 in the previous year
- Large-scale investment starts regular production
- Clear improvement in earnings for the Plastics Division
(NB: All the figures in this press release are provisional and have not yet
been audited)
Salzbergen, Germany, 17 February 2012. In the 2011 financial year, H&R AG
continued on the growth course established in recent years, once again
setting a new record with revenue of EURO 1,209.5 million. Its operating
result (EBITDA) fell to EURO 89.1 million, down from the exceptional 2010
figure of EURO 103.4 million. Adjusted for the burdening effect from the
hedging of gas prices, the company has an operating result of EURO 90.3
million, which is within the forecast range. Consolidated net income fell
to EURO 38.7 million (previous year: EURO 52.0 million).
Earnings developments diverge in the divisions
The large Chemical-Pharmaceutical Raw Materials Division increased its
revenue by 14.1% to a new record of EURO 1,156.9 million (previous year:
EURO 1,014.0 million), primarily thanks to higher raw material and product
prices. The division's operating result (EBITDA) was nonetheless lower than
the previous year's EURO 106.2 million, at EURO 90.6 million: 'After a very
good first half of the year, our sales volumes declined sharply for a while
over the summer months. The margins for our crude oil-based speciality
products were then put under pressure by rising raw material prices in the
final quarter of the year,' said Niels H. Hansen, Chief Executive Officer
of H&R AG.
The Plastics Division made further progress with its restructuring and
reorganisation. Rising order volumes were recorded for all of the
division's various product groups. As a result, revenue increased a
significant 22.9% to EURO 52.6 million (previous year: EURO 42.8 million).
The increase in capacity utilisation was also reflected in the improved
result: following on from a marginal operating loss of EURO 0.3 million in
the previous year, the Plastics Division returned to making a positive
contribution to earnings (EBITDA) of EURO 2.3 million in the 2011 financial
year.
Large-scale investment starts regular production
With the conclusion of the trial operation of the new propane deasphalting
plant in Hamburg in autumn 2011, regular production was stepped up
gradually in the fourth quarter. The plant, which has the potential to
generate earnings (EBITDA) of EURO 12 million to EURO 14 million a year,
converts one of the residues produced during the manufacturing process into
environmentally friendly crude oil-based speciality products.
Challenging underlying conditions expected
The burden placed on earnings by rising raw material costs persisted into
the beginning of 2012. In addition, the early economic indicators suggest
there will be an economic downturn in 2012, after two years of very
favourable underlying conditions. 'If this were to happen, the volume of
sales of our crude oil-based speciality products and plastics would not go
unscathed. Therefore, we now think that a repetition of the good
consolidated operating result (EBITDA) of 2011 this year is rather
ambitious, despite the increase we have generated in our earnings
potential,' said Niels H. Hansen.
The operating structure of the H&R Group has further improved this
financial year, thanks to the propane deasphalting plant in Hamburg, the
international expansion of our product portfolio, and the ongoing
reorganisation of the Plastics Division. The current company structure
serves as a solid basis for the coming years and offers good income
potential.
Upcoming dates:
30 March 2012 Publication of the final figures for the 2011 financial
year
14 May 2012 Publication of the report for the 1st quarter of 2012
31 May 2012 Annual Shareholders' Meeting in Hamburg
14 August 2012 Publication of the report for the 2nd quarter of 2012
14 November 2012 Publication of the report for the 3rd quarter of 2012
Contact:
H&R AG, Investor Relations/Communications, Christian Pokropp
Neuenkirchener StraÃe 8, 48499 Salzbergen, Germany
Phone: +49 (0) 40 43218-321, Fax: +49 (0) 40 43218-390
Email: Christian.Pokropp@hur.com
www.hur.com
H&R AG:
H&R AG is an SDAX listed specialist chemicals company. It develops and
manufactures crude oil-based chemical and pharmaceutical products and
high-precision plastic parts.
Forward-looking statements and forecasts:
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements
are based on current estimates and forecasts made by the Executive Board
and the information available to the Board at this time. Forward-looking
statements should not be interpreted as guarantees that the projected
future developments and results will materialise. Future developments and
results are dependent on a range of factors. They comprise various risks
and imponderables and rest on assumptions which may prove incorrect. We do
not accept any obligation to update the forward-looking statements made in
this press release.
End of Corporate News
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17.02.2012 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a
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Language: English
Company: H&R AG
Neuenkirchener Str. 8
48499 Salzbergen
Germany
Phone: +49 (0)40 43 218 321
Fax: +49 (0)40 43 218 390
E-mail: investor.relations@hur.com
Internet: www.hur.com
ISIN: DE0007757007
WKN: 775700
Listed: Regulierter Markt in Düsseldorf, Frankfurt (Prime
Standard), Hamburg; Freiverkehr in Berlin, Hannover,
München, Stuttgart
End of News DGAP News-Service
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157144 17.02.2012
DGAP-News: H&R AG continues on its course of growth
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