Back

11/13/2013 08:02:06

LPKF raises guidance slightly for 2013


LPKF Laser & Electronics AG / Key word(s): Quarter Results

13.11.2013 / 08:02

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Garbsen, 13 November 2013 - LPKF remains on track for success, even though
revenue growth has slowed somewhat in the year's third quarter, as
expected. After rising by almost 40% in the first six months of the year,
the nine-month revenue posted by the laser equipment manufacturer based in
the German state of Lower Saxony is up 21% over the prior-year period.
These figures were published today in the company's quarterly report. At
EUR 19.5 million, earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) were also
higher than the previous year's figure of EUR 14.8 million. The EBIT margin
reached 20% after nine months, thus surpassing expectations.
Orders on hand amounted to EUR 18.7 million, which is significantly lower
than the prior-year figure of EUR 27.6 million. The figure for the previous
year was impacted by a major order in the solar business, which has been
completed to a large extent in the current financial year. At EUR 83.9
million, the volume of in-coming orders is comparable to that of the
previous year (EUR 84.9 million).

'Thanks to our surprisingly strong business with systems for laser direct
structuring (LDS), we are now able to raise our forecast for 2013 slightly
once again. We estimate that revenue will reach EUR 126 million to EUR 130
million and that the EBIT margin will be around 17%,' said Dr. Ingo
Bretthauer, Chief Executive Of-ficer of LPKF. In 2014, revenue is scheduled
to be between EUR 132 million and EUR 140 million, and in 2015 and 2016,
revenue is expected to grow by an average of 10% per year, with the EBIT
margin coming in at 15% to 17%.

LDS remains an important issue and is increasingly making its way into the
production of molded interconnect devices (MIDs). LPKF also sees huge
potential for LDS applications in the fast-growing market for LED lights.
LPKF is currently presenting numerous new systems and applications at the
'productronica' trade fair in Munich, including, for the first time, a
system for prototyping LDS parts as well as a high-performance modular
MicroLine generation for non-destructive cutting of complex printed circuit
boards (PCBs), which LPKF intends to use to expand its customer base for
PCB Production Equipment.

LPKF continues to believe that laser plastic welding has excellent growth
potential, even though this business is more dependent than others on the
development of the European automobile industry. The recent relocation of
LPKF's Welding Equipment operations to a new production hall in Fürth is
one of the building blocks for the continued positive performance of the
Group. 'Now, nothing stands in the way of a dynamic development of laser
plastic welding. We are stepping up our activities in Asia and the United
States, where demand from the automotive, pharmaceutical engineering and
consumer markets remains strong,' said Dr. Ingo Bretthauer.

The full quarterly report is available in German at
www.lpkf.de/investor-relations/finanzberichte/index.htm and in English at
www.lpkf.com/investor-relations/financial-reports/index.htm.


End of Corporate News

---------------------------------------------------------------------

13.11.2013 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a
company of EQS Group AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

DGAP's Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements,
Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.
Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de

---------------------------------------------------------------------


Language:    English                                               
Company:     LPKF Laser & Electronics AG                           
             Osteriede 7                                           
             30827 Garbsen                                         
             Germany                                               
Phone:       +49 (0) 5131 7095-0                                   
Fax:         +49 (0) 5131 7095-95                                  
E-mail:      investorrelations@lpkf.com                            
Internet:    www.lpkf.com                                          
ISIN:        DE0006450000                                          
WKN:         645000                                                
Listed:      Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard);      
             Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, München,  
             Stuttgart                                             
 
 
End of News    DGAP News-Service  
---------------------------------------------------------------------  
239529 13.11.2013                                                      
Back