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11/12/2014 08:00:45

Renewed growth expected for LPKF in 2015 following revision of 2014 forecast


DGAP-News: LPKF Laser & Electronics AG / Key word(s): 9-month
figures/Quarter Results

12.11.2014 / 08:00

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Garbsen, 12 November 2014 - Specialist mechanical engineering company LPKF
Laser & Electronics AG today announced revenue of EUR 80 million (previous
year: EUR 99.5 million) for the first nine months of the current financial
year. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) after nine months were EUR
7.6 million. This corresponds to an EBIT margin of 10% as of 30 September.
Positive signs are evident in terms of incoming orders and orders on hand,
which were up significantly year-on-year, at 17% and 96%, respectively.

After having experienced average annual growth of 23% over the past five
years, in October 2014 the TecDAX company had to adjust its annual profit
forecast downwards for the first time in six years and prepare its
investors for lower revenue and earnings in 2014. The key reasons for the
revision were a recent decline in incoming orders and the postponement of a
major project in the Laser Direct Structuring (LDS) business. LPKF believes
that the customer restraint is mainly attributable to faltering global
growth and the resulting uncertainty in the electronics industry.
Based on the new forecast, LPKF now anticipates revenue in the range of EUR
120 million - EUR 125 million (previously: EUR 132 million - EUR 140
million) and an EBIT margin of 10% - 12% (previously: 15% - 17%) for 2014.
While Chief Executive Officer Dr. Ingo Bretthauer is not satisfied with
business performance in the current year, he sees no reason for serious
concern: "Our growth drivers in the markets are intact, company financing
is solid and profitability remains above-average, despite the revenue
downturn," said Bretthauer. "We are developing exciting new products and
methods and want to return to our path of growth next year."

The Management Board expects renewed growth in the 2015 financial year.
Revenue in 2015 is estimated at EUR 128 million - 136 million while the
EBIT margin is estimated at 12% - 15% and should therefore once again
converge on the intended range of 15% - 17%. In the following years, LPKF
continues to expect revenue growth at an annual average of at least 10%,
accompanied by an EBIT margin of 15% - 17%. This forecast is conditional on
a stable economic environment.

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

About LPKF
LPKF Laser & Electronics AG specializes in the production of laser systems
for micro material processing, a field in which it is the world leader in
several sectors. Founded in 1976, the Group has its headquarters in Garbsen
near Hannover in Germany and does business around the world together with
its subsidiaries and representatives. LPKF has around 791 employees. The
shares in LPKF Laser & Electronics AG are traded on the TecDAX index of the
Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ISIN 0006450000).

Forward looking statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements based on
current assumptions and forecasts made by the management of LPKF Laser &
Electronics AG. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors could lead to material differences between the actual future
results, financial position, development or performance of the company and
the estimates given here.



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12.11.2014 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a
service of EQS Group AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements,
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Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de

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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  
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296495 12.11.2014                                                      
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