EANS-News: LPKF records strong first quarter 2012
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Corporate news transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer/originator is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-month report Garbsen (euro adhoc) - Miniaturization and ever shorter product cycles cause many traditional production methods to be replaced by flexible laser technologies. LPKF, the specialty mechanical engineering company, is benefiting from this trend as the laser specialist's revenue, EBIT and order levels are up year on year. Garbsen, 15 May 2012 - LPKF Laser & Electronics AG today announced record revenue of EUR 20.5 million for the first three months of 2012 (Q1 2011: EUR 14.3 million). Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) are growing in line with expectations. The high-tech group generated EBIT of EUR 2.2 million in the first quarter of 2012 (Q1 2011: EUR 2.0 million), which translates into an EBIT margin of 11 percent (Q1 2011: 14 percent). The previous year's figure contained extraordinary income in the amount of EUR 0.6 million resulting from the measurement of inventories. Orders on hand after the quarter just ended totaled EUR 28.8 million. This corresponds to an increase of 14.3 percent over the end of 2011. At EUR 24.2 million, order intake after three months was at a high level. "The capital expenditure made in 2011 is now bearing fruit," said Dr. Ingo Bretthauer, Chief Executive Officer of LPKF Laser & Electronics AG. "All of our segments are currently enjoying growth." The positive performance in the first quarter of 2012 gives rise to continued optimism for the future performance of LPKF. Traditionally, the first quarter is the weakest quarter of the year. The guidance for the year as a whole that was published at the end of March therefore continues to apply: If the global economy remains stable, the LPKF Group wants to post revenue between EUR 100 million and EUR 105 million in 2012. The EBIT margin should be between 15 percent and 17 percent 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 percent per year and the EBIT margin to remain between 15 percent and 17 percent. LPKF's broad portfolio, which is tailored to the requirements of different niche markets, is a key to the Company's success. LPKF products are used in in special areas of the following markets: electronics, automotive, plastics processing, LED light technology, medical technology and the production of solar cells. "The number of applications is rising steadily, which makes us less dependent on economic fluctuations experienced by individual industries," explained Dr. Ingo Bretthauer. The 2011 annual report and the report on the first quarter of 2012 are available on the Internet 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 617 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