EANS-News: SMT Scharf AG achieves further revenue and earnings growth in first nine months of 2011
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Corporate news transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer/originator is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9-month report Subtitle: - Revenue up 38% to EUR 54.6 million - EBIT rises 36% to EUR 8.7 million - Order book doubles to EUR 56.0 million by end of September 2011 Hamm (euro adhoc) - November 11, 2011 - SMT Scharf AG (German Securities Code [WKN] 575198, ISIN DE0005751986), technology and world market leader for rail-bound railway systems for the mining sector, has substantially increased its revenue and earnings in the first nine months of 2011. The revenue of SMT Scharf Group rose 38% to EUR 54.6 million, following EUR 39.7 million during the same period in the previous year. At 89%, the share of revenue generated outside Germany remains at a high level (previous year: 90%). Profit from operating activities (EBIT) climbed to EUR 8.7 million, compared with EUR 6.4 million in the previous year, representing 36% growth and a 16.0% EBIT margin (previous year: 16.2%). It should be noted in this context that the previous year's earnings contained one-off income of EUR 0.8 million from the first-time consolidation of the UK companies. The cost of materials ratio increased to 58%, compared with 56% in the prior-year period, due to shifts in the product mix and an inventory buildup. The personnel expense ratio fell by almost the same extent, dropping to 19%, compared with 22% one year previously. Consolidated net income recorded above-average growth to EUR 6.8 million, compared with EUR 4.5 million in the comparable period of the previous year, due to a higher financial result and a lower tax rate. The SMT Scharf Group reports an order book position of EUR 56.0 million as of September 30, 2011, which is about twice the previous year's figure of EUR 27.8 million. Dr. Friedrich Trautwein, CEO of SMT Scharf AG, commented as follows on the Group's dynamic growth during the current 2011 fiscal year: "Our continued growth in the third quarter is visible proof of the success of our internationalisation strategy. With the products that we have newly launched on the market we are well prepared to participate in our customers' investment plans." The full report for the first nine months of 2011 will be available during the course of today at www.smtscharf.com in the Investor Relations section. Company profile The SMT Scharf group develops, builds and maintains transportation equipment for mining and tunneling. The main product area is rail-bound railways which are used all over the world, primarily in hard coal mines and underground mining for gold, platinum and other metals. They are used to transport material and personnel with working loads of up to 45 tons on lines with gradients of up to 35 degrees. SMT Scharf´s other key products are roadheaders, equipment for tunnel support and chairlifts. The SMT Scharf Group has its own companies in eight countries as well as additional dealerships worldwide. SMT Scharf records more than 80% of its revenue in high-growth foreign markets, such as Russia, China and South Africa. Business with spare parts and repairs accounts for around 40% of revenue. The entire market for underground transport technology comprises EUR 5 billion to EUR 7 billion per year according to the company´s estimates. SMT Scharf AG has been listed in the Prime Standard (Regulated Market) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since April 11, 2007. Further inquiry note: Investor Relations cometis AG Dominic Großmann Tel: +49(0)611 - 205855-15 Fax: +49(0)611 - 205855-66 e-mail: grossmann@cometis.de end of announcement euro adhoc -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- company: SMT Scharf AG Römerstr. 104 D-59075 Hamm phone: +49(0)2381-960212 FAX: +49(0)2381-960311 mail: ir@smtscharf.com WWW: http://www.smtscharf.com sector: Machine Manufacturing ISIN: DE0005751986 indexes: CDAX, Classic All Share, Prime All Share stockmarkets: regulated dealing/prime standard: Frankfurt, free trade: Berlin, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Düsseldorf, München language: English
Original content of: SMT Scharf AG, transmitted by news aktuell