SMT Scharf AG publishes final figures for 2008
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ots.CorporateNews transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer is responsible for the content of this announcement. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
balance/Final figures
Hamm (euro adhoc) - - Foreign share of revenues up slightly again - EBIT margin up to 14.9 % from 14.6 % - Proposed dividend of EUR 0.85 per share
Hamm, March 9, 2009 - SMT Scharf AG (German Securities Code (WKN) 575198, ISIN DE0005751986), technology and world market leader for rail-bound railway systems for the mining sector, published its group financial report 2008 today. Revenues fell slightly to EUR 49.7 million from EUR 51.2 million over 2008 as a whole. Foreign markets accounted for 75 % of total revenues in 2008 (previous year: 74 %).
At the same time, foreign revenues fell by EUR 0.4 million year-on-year to EUR 37.5 million after having increased for the previous three successive years. This was in particular due to the fact that Russian customers postponed orders at the start of November that would originally have been shipped by the end of 2008.
On the profits side, the SMT Scharf Group booked EBIT of EUR 7.4 million (previous year: EUR 7.5 million), lifting the EBIT margin to 14.9 % from 14.6 %. This was supported, in particular, by progress in making production more flexible and international as well as the successful launch of new products. Owing to changes in the product mix, the cost of materials ratio fell to 48.1 % from 49.1 %. The ratio of personnel expenses was unchanged year-on-year. Other operating expenses increased, in particular as a result of charges from adverse changes in currency exchange rates. Net income fell to EUR 5.3 million from EUR 6.0 million. In the previous year, the reduction in deferred tax liabilities as a result of the reform of corporate taxation in Germany had a positive impact on earnings.
On December 31, 2008, SMT Scharf´s order book totaled EUR 26.2 million, up 180 % year-on-year. Around 90 % of these orders stemmed from foreign countries. This increase was due to orders from mine operators, which comprise several machines that are to be shipped over a staggered period. This coincided with the unscheduled postponement of several orders from Russia.
The SMT Scharf Group continued to increase its international sales and service activities. It formed a subsidiary in Russia, allowing the company to offer its own services there in future. As a result of its more intense sales efforts, it has, in turn, been able to acquire several new customers, including in China, South Africa and Ukraine.
"Despite some setbacks, 2008 was another year of successful international growth for SMT Scharf, and we are proud that our corporate strategy has once again earned its laurels," commented Dr. Friedrich Trautwein, SMT Scharf AG's CEO. Management believes that it will be able to further increase revenues and earnings on average over the coming years. Russia, Poland, China and South Africa will continue to be key markets in this regard.
The Managing and Supervisory Boards will make a proposal to the General Meeting for fiscal year 2008 to distribute a dividend of EUR 0.70 per share and a bonus dividend of EUR 0.15, or a total of EUR 0.85 per share. This corresponds to a 68 % distribution rate. In terms of the closing price of SMT Scharf's shares on March 6, 2009, the dividend return is 10.0 %.
The full annual financial report for 2008 can be downloaded from the investor relations section of www.smtscharf.com.
Company profile
The SMT Scharf Group develops, builds and maintains rail-bound railway systems for mining and use in tunnels. The trains are used all over the world, primarily in hard coal mines, gold mines and in underground mining for platinum, diamonds, copper and nickel. They are used to transport material and personnel with working loads of up to 35t. Rail-bound trains are the only means of transport that can be used underground on branching lines to cope with inclines of more than 13 degrees. The SMT Scharf Group has subsidiaries in Germany, Poland, South Africa, China and Russia, as well as agencies around the world. The railways developed by SMT Scharf are characterized, above all, by high-performance engines, high working loads, high speed and low operating and maintenance costs. SMT Scharf records more than 70% of its revenues over the course of the year on high-growth foreign markets, such as Russia, China and South Africa. The replacement parts and repairs business constitutes around 50% of revenues. The advances in exploitation of resources make underground conditions increasingly difficult which in turn requires more high technology transport solutions in mining. The total market for underground transport technology comprises around EUR 5 billion to EUR 7 billion per year according to company estimates. SMT Scharf AG has been listed in the Prime Standard (regulated market) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since April 11, 2007.
end of announcement euro adhoc --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Further inquiry note:
Contact
Investor Relations
cometis AG
Susanne Gremmler
Tel.: +49(0)611 - 205855-23
Fax: +49(0)611 - 205855-66
e-mail: gremmler@cometis.de
Branche: Machine Manufacturing
ISIN: DE0005751986
WKN: 575198
Börsen: Börse Frankfurt / regulated dealing/prime standard
Börse Berlin / free trade
Börse München / free trade
Original-Content von: SMT Scharf AG, übermittelt durch news aktuell