Mikron Holding AG
Mikron Holding AG: Mikron reports slightly higher net sales
Mikron Holding AG / Key word(s): Final Results Media release on preliminary volume figures for 2014 financial year Mikron reports slightly higher net sales Biel, 22 January 2015, 7.00 a.m. – In the 2014 fiscal year, the Mikron Group increased net sales by 3 percent to CHF 249.5 million (previous year: CHF 241.1 million) and reported order intake of CHF 244.8 million (previous year: CHF 246.4 million), virtually equaling the year-back figure. 2014 closed with order backlog down 4 percent at CHF 117.0 million (end of 2013: CHF 122.4 million). As announced at the end of October 2014, EBIT will be in positive territory, but lower than in 2013. It is still too early to predict how the decision of the Swiss National Bank to abandon its currency floor against the euro will affect the Mikron Group’s performance. The Mikron Group’s business areas and markets performed very differently in 2014. Whereas the medical devices and pharmaceutical industries and the US economy in general made significant progress, a widespread mood of caution and uncertainty affected demand for capital goods in Europe, as felt most acutely by the Machining business segment. The solid demand from Switzerland seen in previous years also slowed down considerably. The weak euro also affectecd competitiveness. The Mikron Group nonetheless succeeded in defending the pole market position held by both business segments in Europe. Healthy capacity utilization levels in the automotive industry had an additional favorable impact on the tool and service business. Although developments in the Asian markets fell short of expectations in the year under review, Mikron was still able to win a number of new customers and strengthen local competencies. The Annual Report, containing the detailed results for the Mikron Group for 2014, will be published at the Media and Analyst Conference on 9 March 2015. Machining segment The Machining business segment faced a decrease in demand for machining solutions in 2014. The strong performance by Mikron Machining’s tool and service business was not sufficient to offset this fall. For 2014 as a whole, the Machining business segment reported a 12 percent decline in order intake to CHF 110.9 million (previous year: CHF 125.8 million). The segment reported net sales of CHF 123.8 million, only slightly below the prior-year level (previous year: CHF 125.2 million). At CHF 46.9 million, the Machining business segment’s order backlog at the end of 2014 was 19 percent lower than at the end of 2013 (CHF 57.6 million). Thanks to high demand from the US, especially from the medical devices, pharmaceuticals and consumer goods industries, the Automation business segment increased its order intake by 10 percent to CHF 134.5 million (previous year: CHF 121.8 million) and net sales by 9 percent to CHF 126.8 million (previous year: CHF 116.8 million) in 2014. At CHF 70.1 million, the Automation business segment’s order backlog at the end of 2014 was 8 percent higher than at the end of 2013 (CHF 65.1 million). Preliminary volume figures for 2014 financial year, compared to 2013
1) Divisional financial figures before consolidation Brief profile of the Mikron Group Contact Download Media Release Except for the historical information contained herein, the statements in this media release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Mikron(R) is a trademark of Mikron Holding AG, Biel (Switzerland). Contact: Mikron Management AG, Martin Blom, Chief Financial Officer, Phone +41 62 916 69 60, ir.mma@mikron.com End of ad hoc announcement 2015-01-22 News transmitted by EQS Schweiz AG. www.eqs.com – news archive: http://switzerland.eqs.com/de/News The issuer is responsible for the contents of the release. |
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