Viscom AG continues on growth path in the third quarter - management confirms forecast for the 2015 financial year

- Incoming orders: EUR 47,804 thousand (previous year: EUR 46,142 thousand, +3.6 %)

- Revenue: EUR 47,476 thousand (previous year: EUR 41,767 thousand, +13.7 %)

- EBIT: EUR 5,288 thousand (previous year: EUR 5,140 thousand, +2.9 %)

- EBIT-Margin: 11.1 % (previous year: 12.3 %)

Hanover, 10 November 2015 - Viscom AG (ISIN DE0007846867), the European market leader for automated optical inspection systems for the electronics industry, continued on its growth path in the third quarter of 2015. At EUR 47.8 million, order intake in the first nine months of 2015 was up approximately 4 % on the previous year's record figure. Revenue even increased by around 14 %, from EUR 41.8 million to EUR 47.5 million, setting yet another record for the first nine months of a financial year.

In order to strengthen and expand its position with major customers in the face of global competition, Viscom has made investments in personnel over the past few months. The mere slight year-on-year improvement in EBIT for the first nine months of 2015 despite the significant increase in revenue is attributable in part to these investments. By the close of the quarter, the EBIT-Margin amounted to 11.1 %, compared to 12.3 % in the previous year's period.

During the first nine months of the current financial year, Viscom Group generated revenue of EUR 47,476 thousand, which is an increase of 13.7 % compared to the previous year's level (previous year: EUR 41,767 thousand). Operating profit (EBIT) amounted to EUR 5,288 thousand (previous year: EUR 5,140 thousand). This corresponds to an EBIT-Margin of 11.1 % (previous year: 12.3 %). Net profit for the period declined from EUR 3,945 thousand in the previous year's period to EUR 3,201 thousand. Taxes on income booked in the first half of the year for previous years had a particularly negative impact on net profit for the period.

Accounting for 62.4 % of revenue, Europe continued to be Viscom Group's strongest region by far and generated revenue of EUR 29,647 thousand in the first nine months of the 2015 financial year (previous year: EUR 27,808 thousand). The segment result in Europe amounted to EUR 4,084 thousand (previous year: EUR 3,941 thousand), thereby remaining on par with the high level achieved in the previous year. The EBIT-Margin decreased slightly from 14.2 % in 2014 to 13.8 % as a result of an increase in personnel during the first nine months of 2015 in line with strategic objectives.

The positive business performance recorded during the first half of the year in the Americas region continued in the third quarter. Market conditions in this region continued to be characterised by strong demand from the automotive electronics production industry. New production lines and the upgrading of existing systems were responsible for the robust revenue. A number of sales successes were also achieved in the area of industrial and medical electronics with small and medium-sized service providers in the US. Intensified activities in the Computer, Communication and Consumer (3C) sector by globally operating EMS also continue to suggest further growth. At EUR 8,419 thousand, revenue was up by approximately 30 % year on year (previous year: EUR 6,486 thousand). The segment result in this region was below the previous year's period at EUR 761 thousand (previous year: EUR 939 thousand). The EBIT-Margin, which was 14.5 % in the previous year's period, amounted to 9.0 %. This decrease was particularly caused by the increased material costs due to the structure of realised revenue.

In Asia, the generally optimistic business environment of the first quarter of 2015 became considerably more reserved during the second quarter. The trend towards caution continued into the third quarter. Despite this general market trend, Viscom was able to increase revenue in this segment by approximately 26 % year on year. Major orders were also gained in the Computers, Communication and Consumer (3C) sector, although affected by tough competition. The fourth quarter will be defined by a few larger projects. Order issue is, however, dependent on further economic development. Group revenue in Asia amounted to EUR 9,410 thousand, up 26 % year on year (previous year: EUR 7,473 thousand). The segment result in Asia was a satisfying EUR 873 thousand (previous year: EUR 337 thousand). Accordingly, the EBIT-Margin amounted to 9.3 % (previous year: 4.5 %).

The strong demand for services during the first nine months of the current financial year was particularly encouraging. The Service business area made a major contribution to total order intake for the Group, accounting for approximately 21 %. Renovation and modernisation, in particular in the form of computer and sensor technology updates, accounted for the largest share of business in this area. Viscom was also able to optimise in-house training for service technicians this year and qualify two employees as "Certified Trainers" in order to ensure uniform and structured training expertise. The Group stands out against the competition with its extensive range of services offered as individual support packages that provide targeted worldwide support seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

Overall, Viscom Group was able to continue on its growth path during the first nine months of the current financial year. The management of Viscom AG therefore affirms its forecast for the 2015 financial year of revenue of between EUR 62 and EUR 67 million with an EBIT-Margin of 13 % to 15 %.

The Interim Report as of 30 September 2015 is now available on the company website www.viscom.com/europe under Investor Relations.

OPERATING FIGURES

Consolidated income statement		01.01.-30.09.2015	01.01.-30.09.2014
Revenue	KEUR	47,476	41,767
EBIT	KEUR	5,288	5,140
EBIT-Margin	%	11.1	12.3
Net profit for the period	KEUR	3,201	3,945
Earnings per share	EUR	0.36	0.44
Employees at the end of the quarter		365	320

 

Consolidated balance sheet		30.09.2015	31.12.2014
Assets
Current assets	KEUR	47,898	55,365
Non-current assets	KEUR	9,869	9,093
Total assets	KEUR	57,767	64,458
Liabilities
Current liabilities	KEUR	7,999	9,264
Non-current liabilities	KEUR	1,547	1,610
Shareholders' equity	KEUR	48,221	53,584
Total shareholders' equity and liabilities	KEUR	57,767	64,458
Equity ratio	%	83.5	83.1

 

Consolidated cash flow statement		01.01.-30.09.2015	01.01.-30.09.2014
Cash flow from operating activities	KEUR	1,228	-1,124
Cash flow from investing activities	KEUR	-1,760	-1,546
Cash flow from financing activities	KEUR	-8,944	-15,104
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	KEUR	7,638	11,685

 

SEGMENT INFORMATION

		01.01.-30.09.2015	01.01.-30.09.2014
EUROPE
Revenue	KEUR	29,647	27,808
EBIT	KEUR	4,084	3,941
EBIT-Margin	%	13.8	14.2
AMERICAS
Revenue	KEUR	8,419	6,486
EBIT	KEUR	761	939
EBIT-Margin	%	9.0	14.5
ASIA
Revenue	KEUR	9,410	7,473
EBIT	KEUR	873	337
EBIT-Margin	%	9.3	4.5
Consolidation differences EBIT	KEUR	-430	-77

 

Any forecasts, expectations or forward-looking statements included in this report may carry risks and uncertainties. We therefore cannot guarantee that these assumptions will turn out to be correct. Actual results and developments may vary significantly from the forecasts and assumptions made in this report. Factors that may lead to such deviations include changes to the general economic development and competitive position, exchange rate and interest rate fluctuations as well as amendments to national and international laws. The Company does not assume any responsibility for updating the statements contained in this report.

Contact:
Viscom AG
Investor Relations
Anna Borkowski
Carl-Buderus-Str. 9-15
30455 Hannover
Tel.: +49-511-94996-861
Fax: +49-511-94996-555
investor.relations@viscom.de