All Stories
Follow
Subscribe to Andritz AG

Andritz AG

euro adhoc: Andritz AG
Annual Reports
Andritz: Successful Business Development in 2004 - Order Intake, Sales, and Earnings reach record levels - Record Order Backlog provides solid base for 2005 - Proposed dividend of 1.40 EUR per share

Disclosure announcement transmitted by euro adhoc.
  The issuer is responsible for the content of this announcement.
02.03.2005
Graz, 3 March 2005.  In 2004, international Andritz Group achieved
its best financial results in history.  Sales increased to 1,481.3
MEUR (+20.9% vs. 2003).  Net Income after Minority Interests
developed very favorably, increasing significantly to 53.4 MEUR
(+83.5% vs. 2003).  Order Intake reached a new record level of over
1.8 bn. Euros (+31.7% vs. 2003).  Order Backlog as of 31 December
2004 amounted to over 1.4 bn. Euros (+36.6% vs. 2003) and provides a
solid workload for 2005.  At the upcoming Annual General Meeting, the
Managing Board will propose an increase in the dividend to 1.40 EUR
per share (2003: 1.00 EUR per share).
Increase in Sales
Sales of the Andritz Group in 2004 developed very favorably.  As a
result of the execution of the high Order Backlog as of the end of
2003, the favorable development of Order Intake, the growth of the
services business, and Sales contributions from the companies
acquired in 2004, Sales increased by 20.9% to 1,481.3 MEUR (2003:
1,225.0 MEUR).  In particular, the Pulp and Paper, Rolling Mills and
Strip Processing Lines, and Environment and Process Business Areas
increased their Sales significantly compared to 2003. Sales of the
Feed Technology Business Area were only slightly higher than in the
previous year, mainly as a result of weak market conditions and the
decline of the US dollar against the Euro, which led to negative
translation effects, especially for this Business Area.
Sales of the companies/business areas acquired in 2004 (Bird Machine,
NETZSCH Filtration, Kaiser, and VA TECH WABAG’s fluidized bed drying
systems Business Area), which were not included in the financial
statements of 2003, added approximately 96 MEUR to the Group’s total
Sales in 2004.  Organic Sales growth of the Group therefore was
approximately 13%.
Increase in Earnings
As a result of increased Sales, ongoing cost optimization programs,
and positive Earnings contributions from some of the newly acquired
companies, the Group’s Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation,
and Amortization of Goodwill (EBITDA) surged from 84.4 MEUR in 2003
to 115.4 MEUR in 2004.  Group profitability expressed as EBITDA
margin improved from 6.9% in 2003 to 7.8% in 2004. 
EBIT (Earnings Before Interest and Taxes) increased by 55.6% to 76.1
MEUR (2003: 48.9 MEUR).  Net Income after the deduction of Minority
Interests surged to 53.4 MEUR (2003 29.1 MEUR).
Record Order Intake and Order Backlog
Order Intake of the Andritz Group reached an historic record level in
2004.  Due to the very favorable business development in almost every
Business Area, Group Order Intake surged from 1,394.4 MEUR in 2003 to
1,837.0 MEUR in 2004, an increase of 31.7%.  
As a consequence of excellent Order Intake, the Group’s Order Backlog
reached a record level of 1,439.2 MEUR at the end of 2004
(31.12.2003: 1,053.6 MEUR).  This provides a solid workload for the
Andritz Group in 2005.
Balance Sheet
Net liquidity (cash and cash equivalents minus interest-bearing
financial liabilities) as of 31.12.2004, at 219.6 MEUR, almost
quadrupled compared to the reference date of last year (31.12.2003:
55.0 MEUR).  With an equity ratio of 23.4% as of 31.12.2004 (24.0% as
of 31.12.2003), the Andritz Group has a solid and balanced financial
structure.
Dividend
At the upcoming Annual General Meeting, the Managing Board will
propose an increase in the dividend to 1.40 EUR per share (2003: 1.0
EUR per share).
Outlook
Provided that the world economy shows a continued positive
development, the Andritz Group expects a favorable business
development in 2005 with good project activities in all of its
Business Areas. "Based on the high Order Backlog at the end of 2004
and the expected solid project activity in all of our Business Areas,
we are optimistic for 2005 and expect Sales and Earnings in 2005 to
increase compared to 2004.  Growth rates, however, will be somewhat
lower compared to the very high levels achieved in 2004," says
Wolfgang Leitner, President and CEO of Andritz.
Key Figures of the Andritz Group:
~
(in MEUR, IAS)                       2004        2003          Change
Order Intake                        1,837.0     1,394.4        +31.7%
Order Backlog as of 31.12.          1,439.2     1,053.6        +36.6%
Sales                               1,481.3     1,225.0        +20.9%
EBITDA                                115.4        84.4        +36.7%
EBITDA margin                           7.8%        6.9%          -
EBITA                                  92.8        63.1        +47.1%
EBITA margin                            6.3%        5.2%          -
Operating profit (EBIT)                76.1        48.9        +55.6%
Earnings before taxes                  77.2        49.3        +56.6%
Net Income after minorities            53.4        29.1        +83.5%
~
Disclaimer
Certain statements contained in this press release constitute
"forward-looking statements".  These statements, which contain the
words "believe", "intend", "expect" and words of similar meaning,
reflect management’s beliefs and expectations and are subject to
risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ
materially.  As a result, readers are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims
any obligation to publicly announce the result of any revisions to
the forward-looking statements made herein, except where it would be
required to do so under applicable law.
end of announcement                    euro adhoc 03.03.2005 07:30:00 

Further inquiry note:

Michael Buchbauer
Head of Investor Relations
Tel.: +43 316 6902 2979
Fax: +43 316 6902 465
mailto:michael.buchbauer@andritz.com

Branche: Machine Manufacturing
ISIN: AT0000730007
WKN:
Index: WBI, ATX Prime, ATX
Börsen: Wiener Börse AG / official dealing

Original content of: Andritz AG, transmitted by news aktuell

More stories: Andritz AG
More stories: Andritz AG