EANS-News: LPKF invests in the future and surpasses its own revenue
forecast
EBIT margin at 17% on the back of a strong fourth quarter
Optimistic outlook to 2012 thanks to record order levels
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annual report
Garbsen (euro adhoc) - Garbsen, 27 March, 2012 - LPKF, the specialty mechanical
engineering company, today announced that it managed to surpass its revenue
forecast for the 2011 financial year thanks to a surprisingly strong fourth
quarter. Exceeding the company´s guidance of EUR 83 to 86 million, consolidated
revenue increased by 12% year on year to EUR 91.1 million. The EBIT margin
(earnings before interest and taxes) was 17%, which is at the top of the
forecast range of 15% to 17%.
In view of the positive development of operations in 2011, the Management Board
and the Supervisory Board will propose to the Annual General Meeting on 31 May
2012 that the dividend of EUR 0.40 per share be maintained.
In 2011, LPKF invested in staff, research and development, IT and new
facilities. A total of EUR 14.9 million (2010: EUR 8.1 million) was spent on
fixed assets. The number of employees increased from 466 to 602 in the reporting
year. On this basis, and thanks to its very solid financial position and
structure, LPKF is well equipped to continue its course of profitable growth.
"Our focus in 2011 was on expanding capacities. As a result, our EBIT of EUR
15.2 million was down on the previous year's figure of EUR 17.3 million - as we
had expected. But we did achieve an EBIT margin that is among the industry´s
highest. With record order levels of EUR 25.2 million, we are optimistic for
2012. Our decision to focus investments on growth areas is already bearing
fruit," comments Dr. Ingo Bretthauer, Chief Executive Officer of LPKF.
Additional growth potential in coming years
If the global economy remains stable, the Management Board expects the LPKF
Group to post revenue between EUR 100 million and EUR 105 million in 2012.
Revenue growth is planned for all segments. The EBIT margin should be between
15% and 17% in 2012. Major orders not considered in current targets could
substantially boost the Company´s performance.
Given a stable economic environment in both 2013 and 2014, the Management Board
expects revenue to grow by approximately 10% per year and the EBIT margin to
remain between 15% and 17%.
The current annual report including the key financial figures is available
online at www.lpkf.de.
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 600 employees globally. The
shares in LPKF Laser & Electronics AG are traded on the Prime Standard of the
Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ISIN 0006450000).
Further inquiry note:
LPKF Laser & Electronics AG
Bettina Schäfer, Investor Relations Manager (CIRO)
Tel: (05131) 7095-1382
end of announcement euro adhoc
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company: LPKF Laser & Electronics AG
Osteriede 7
D-30827 Garbsen
phone: +49(0)5131 7095 1382
FAX: +49(0)5131 7095 90
mail: investorrelations@lpkf.com
WWW: http://www.lpkf.de
sector: Semiconductors & active components
ISIN: DE0006450000
indexes: CDAX, Prime All Share, Technology All Share
stockmarkets: free trade: Hannover, Berlin, München, Hamburg, Düsseldorf,
Stuttgart, regulated dealing/prime standard: Frankfurt
language: English