euro adhoc: Winterthur Technologie AG
Financial Figures/Balance Sheet /
Preliminary Annual Result WTG:
The Winterthur Technology Group shows significant improvements in sales and
profit
Increased demand for innovative grinding technology - attractive
Disclosure announcement transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer is responsible for the content of this announcement.
23.01.2006
Zug, 23 January 2006. The abrasive technology company Winterthur Technology Ltd. (WTG), which has been listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange since July 2005, has increased sales during 2005 compared to the previous year by 8.3 % to EUR 78.4 million. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) are up by 10.4 % to EUR 13.7 million and EBIT by 37.8 % to EUR 10.4 million. For 2006 WTG again expects a growth rate between 6 % and 8 %.
Winterthur Technology Group, a leading European provider of complex abrasive technology, runs operations in Switzerland, Austria and Sweden. In the financial year 2005 sales have increased from EUR 72.4 million (CHF 111.8 million) to EUR 78.4 million (CHF 121.4 million). Compared to 2004 this corresponds to an increase of 8.3 % and 8.7 % in local currencies. This improvement is based on organic growth in Europe, specifically generated by the new subsidiaries in the new EC countries and in Russia. Even more significant increases have been achieved in Asia. This positive trend is also reflected in the order backlog at the beginning of 2006. Compared to 2005 the order-book has improved by 2 digit figures.
The successful sales development is clearly shown in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) with an increase of 10.5 % from EUR 12.4 million in 2004 to EUR 13.7 million. This corresponds to an EBITDA margin of 17.5 % which lies at the upper end of the managements forecast for 2005. The development of earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) shows an impressive EUR 10.4 million, corresponding to an increase of 37.8 % compared to the previous year (EUR 7.6 million). This includes EUR 1.7 million of goodwill amortisation that is no longer allowed to be deducted under IFRS due to no impairment. This preliminary information for 2005 deserves even more appreciation as it has to be considered in view of an environment where raw materials and energy cost have sharply risen and the Swedish Crown having shown a clear weakness against the Euro.
The management expects this positive trend to continue throughout 2006. This is based on further improving the existing market positions and on over-proportional organic improvements in the fast growing markets, yielding an average growth of 6 % to 8 %. Customer oriented, innovative products and services will support an up-trend during 2006. A new glass ceramic high-tech material that will be released in the near future looks especially promising.
The audited annual report will be commented on at the occasion of the media conference on 10 April 2006.
Profile Winterthur Technology Group (WTG), a leading European provider of complex abrasive technologies, is headquartered in Zug and has operations in Switzerland, Austria and Sweden. Winterthur Technology AG is a holding company under Swiss law with a listing on the SWX Swiss Exchange. It has slightly more than 600 employees, and in 2005 achieved sales of approximately EUR 78 million in 2005. Working closely with clients, the company develops and produces complex high-margin, high-tech abrasive technology consumables, primarily bonded abrasive tools used in the automotive, gas turbine and steel industries. Production takes place in Austria (Villach) and Sweden (Västervik). In Switzerland (Winterthur) there is a finishing plant and a logistics center. The Groups main brands are Winterthur, Rappold and SlipNaxos. WTGs products - vitrified grinding wheels, resin bonded grinding wheels, cut-off wheels and diamond and CBN grinding tools - are sold in all the relevant European markets as well as in North and South America, and Asia.
Winterthur Technology Ltd / Winterthur Technologie AG
in EURm 2004 2005 Net Sales / Nettoerlös 72.4 78.4 % Growth / Steigerung 6.6% 8.3% EBITDA 12.4 13.7 % Margin / Marge 17.2% 17.5% EBIT 7.6 10.4 % Margin / Marge 10.5% 13.3%
end of announcement euro adhoc 23.01.2006 07:00:00
Further inquiry note:
Dr. Edgar Rappold, CEO
Markus Brütsch, CFO
Tel. +41 52 234 41 41
E-mail: bruetsch@rappold-winterthur.com
Fax: +41 52 234 41 89
www.winterthurtechnology.com
SWX Ticker Symbol: WTGN
ISIN: CH0021892606
Branche: Technology
ISIN: CH0021892606
WKN: 2189260
Börsen: SWX Swiss Exchange / official market