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
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Corporate news transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer/originator is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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
Original content of: LPKF Laser & Electronics AG, transmitted by news aktuell