Augusta Technologie AG / Preliminary Results
11.02.2010 08:43
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AUGUSTA publishes preliminary 2009 fiscal year figures:
communicated forecast achieved
- Sales revenue at EUR 106.5 million
- EBIT at EUR 10.2 million
- Strong sales revenues and incoming orders in fourth quarter of 2009
- Book-to-bill ratio in Q4 again over 1
- Liquidity and equity remain at high level
Munich, February 11, 2010. AUGUSTA Technologie AG (ISIN DE000A0D6612), a
specialist in sensor systems and automation technologies, lived up to the
forecast communicated in the 2009 fiscal year with regard to both revenue
and operating results, despite the crisis. The accumulated consolidated
sales revenues were at around EUR 106.5 million and were therefore in the
forecast range of EUR 104 to 110 million (previous year: EUR 127.1
million). The gross margin was kept high at 38.9 percent (previous year:
40.2 percent), due to the optimization of production costs for both
materials and personnel. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) were
also within the range of expectations at EUR 10.2 million (previous year:
EUR 18.8 million). 'We have mastered crisis year 2009 well, given the
framework conditions. Despite declines in sales revenues and profit, our
earnings situation presents itself better than that of the competitors and
we have thus proven the crisis resistance of AUGUSTA. This past year was
used to sustainably reduce costs in operating areas without neglecting the
expansion of our competitive position through new projects,' states Amnon
Harman, CEO of AUGUSTA Technologie AG, about the completed fiscal year.
Key balance sheet figures show stability
The equity ratio at the end of the fiscal year was 67.2 percent (previous
year: 66.3 percent). This already takes into account the one-time dividend
payment in the amount of EUR 9.1 million. As of December 31, 2009, cash and
cash equivalents were available at just under EUR 21 million (previous
year: EUR 21.93 million). Working capital developed extremely positively
and could be reduced by about 25 percent with the end of the year reporting
just under EUR 24 million. 'The successes of our consistent financial
management are shown by our working capital, which we were able to reduce
by a good EUR 7 million within one year,' states Berth Hausmann, CFO of
AUGUSTA. 'The cash situation and our operating profitability are the
foundation for financing further organic and inorganic growth,' Hausmann
continues.
Strong fourth quarter
The fourth quarter was the strongest of fiscal year 2009 as expected. Sales
revenues in Q4 were considerably above the previous quarters at around EUR
29.4 million. The positive trend is also reflected in the incoming orders.
In Q4 incoming orders were around EUR 31.2 million, so that the
book-to-bill ratio in the fourth quarter was clearly above 1 for the first
time in 2009. 'At the start of the crisis, we again strengthened our
activities in sales and product development. This investment is now paying
off through a series of innovative products and new customer
relationships,' states Harman as to the fourth quarter. 'In 2010 we will
again rely on organic growth and acquisitions in regions and market
segments where an above-average growth can be expected,' amplified Harman.
The complete 2009 annual report will be published on March 18, 2010, and
will then be available for download.
The Company
AUGUSTA Technology AG is an integrated technology group with a focus on the
niche markets of sensor and automation technology.
In the Sensors division, the company develops, produces and sells sensor
systems for customer-specific applications. The product portfolio ranges
from the sale of individual pressure sensors to the development of complex
sensor and measuring systems. The main areas of application are medical
technology, industrial plant construction, the automotive industry, and the
aviation and aerospace industries.
The company's Controls division delivers solutions for process flow
automation and quality management. The application areas range from
industrial image processing to automation solutions for logistics and
special vehicles.
AUGUSTA's sales revenues totaled EUR 106.5 million in fiscal year 2009,
with earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of EUR 10.2 million.
AUGUSTA Technologie AG
Stefanie Zimmermann
Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
Willy-Brandt-Platz 3, D-81829 Munich
Tel.: +49 - (0)89 - 43 57 155 - 19
Fax: +49 - (0)89 - 43 57 155 - 77
E-mail: investor-relations@augusta-ag.com
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Language: English
Company: Augusta Technologie AG
Willy-Brandt-Platz 3
81829 München
Deutschland
Phone: +49-(0)89-4357155-19
Fax: +49-(0)89-4357155-56
E-mail: investor-relations@augusta-ag.de
Internet: www.augusta-ag.de
ISIN: DE000A0D6612, DE0003705992
WKN: A0D661, 370599
Indices: CDAX, PRIMEALL
Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr
in Berlin, München, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart
End of News DGAP News-Service
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DGAP-News: Augusta Technologie AG: Preliminary Figures FY 2009
| Source: EQS Group AG