Business News
Hönle generates operating result of EUR 5.3 million
Tuesday 27. August 2013 - Sales revenues earned by the Hönle Group increased from TEUR 51,725 in the previous year to TEUR 55,531 in the first nine months of financial year 2012/2013 due to acquisitions. The corporate group generated an operating result (EBIT) of TEUR 5.330 after TEUR 5,316 in the comparable previous year's period. Pre-tax earnings amount to TEUR 4,841 (PY: TEUR 4,961), and consolidated net earnings came to TEUR 3,589 (PY: TEUR 3,285), which corresponds to earnings per share of EUR 0.63 (PY: EUR 0.55).
The EBIT margin thus stood at 9.4 % in the current financial year, compared to 10.3 % in the previous year. Net profit on sales remained almost constant at 6.5 % (PY: 6.4 %). The Hönle Group’s equity ratio was 60.9 % (PY: 59.8 %).
Outlook:
‘Equipment and Systems’ segment
Grafix GmbH, which has been included in the Hönle Group since 8 January 2013, already contributed positively to earnings during the first six months of consolidation despite the one-time expenses incurred within the scope of integration.
Management assumes positive development in the printing segment for the coming quarters and stable sales developments are also expected for UV and IR systems in offset printing. Moreover, the Grafix acquisition may provide positive effects. Sales growth is assumed for digital printing applications as the Hönle Group is excellently positioned on the growing digital printing market.
The trade fair, China Print, which is an important event for the printing industry, opened its doors in May and may further boost sales in the field of printing applications in the coming quarters.
‘Glass and Lamps’ segment
The Raesch Group initiated a comprehensive package of measures to improve the sales and earnings level, which included expansion of sales activities through both new sales partnerships on the North-American sales market and the hiring of additional personnel to support its own sales team. In addition, Raesch has developed and launched new products with a view to further tapping the semi-conductor market, among others. Emphasis is also placed on optimizing the proportion of rejects and on a pertaining improvement in the cost of materials ratio. The resulting effects will probably have a positive impact from the beginning of the next financial year.
Management assumes that the semiconductor market will recover gradually during the next quarters.
‘Adhesives’ segment
The course of business in the ‘Adhesives’ segment saw encouraging development. Customer orders received from the electronics industry will contribute to significant sales and earnings increases in this segment in the fourth quarter.
Additional personnel were hired in the sales and development departments with a view to boosting sales. Here, the focus is on further tapping existing sales potential in the entertainment electronics and optoelectronics industries and in the automotive industry.
In addition, the medical technology sector is to be expanded further.
Expanding sales in the North American and Chinese sales territories through investments in Tangent Industries Inc. and Hoenle UV Technology (Shanghai) Trading Ltd., is in planning.
With its three business segment, ‘Equipment and System’, ‘Glass and Lamps’ and ‘Adhesives’, the Hönle Group is very well positioned. At the same time the corporate group is represented in markets which provide strong potential for further growth. Management therefore adheres to its objective of reaching the EUR 100 million sales threshold in two years.
Starting with its previous statement that sales of between EUR 75 and 80 million and an operating result of between EUR 8 and 9 million will be achieved, the Hönle Group Management presently assumes that the respective lower limit of the target corridor will be reached.