EANS-News: Symrise AG Increases Sales and EBITDA by 7 % in the First Half of the Year
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Corporate news transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer/originator is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6-month report Subtitle: EBITDA margin of 20 % despite ongoing high raw material prices Share of sales from Emerging Markets up to 47 % Earnings per share rise to 0.71 Outlook for the full year confirmed Holzminden August 9, 2012 (euro adhoc) - Symrise AG benefited from a further rising demand in both segments during the second quarter of 2012. The Group thus increased sales by 7 % in the first half of the year, to EUR 872 million (H1 2011: EUR 812 million). The dynamics in Emerging Markets, especially Latin America, as well as positive developments in North America played a particular role. Business with global key customers was also a source of positive momentum. EBITDA increased by 7 % to EUR 174.0 million (H1 2011: EUR 162.5 million) despite ongoing high raw material costs. Dr. Heinz-Jürgen Bertram, CEO of Symrise AG, commented: "We continued to gain momentum in the second quarter and benefited from a considerable rise in demand in both, the Emerging Markets and established markets. Once again, Symrise achieved an EBITDA margin of 20 %. This is a notable achievement considering the impacts from high raw material and energy prices as well as ramp-up costs for our new menthol plant. Although many questions remain surrounding the development of the eurozone, we expect further growth in the second half of the year. We are well-positioned internationally and enjoy a broad customer base. Additional growth is expected from our new menthol production plant which has been operating since the end of June. We therefore confirm our raised outlook from May and are aiming for sales growth at local currency between 3 % and 5 % for the full year." Symrise Enjoys Strong Second Quarter Symrise generated sales of EUR 871.6 million in the first half of 2012 (H1 2011: EUR 811.8 million). This represents an increase of 7 % (4 % at local currency). This development was particularly driven by the second quarter when the Group boosted sales by 11 % to EUR 438.9 million (Q2 2011: EUR 395.0 million). North America performed especially well in the first half with sales up 19 % (10 % at local currency). Latin America also posted disproportionately positive growth with a sales increase of 18 % (18 % at local currency). Sales in the Asia/Pacific region were up 11 % (4 % at local currency) while sales remained stable in the EAME region despite economic uncertainties in Southern European markets. EBITDA Margin of 20.0 % Symrise improved its earnings before interest, tax and depreciation (EBITDA) by 7 % in the first half to EUR 174 million (H1 2011: EUR 163 million). The cost situation remained characterized by persistently high raw material and energy costs. Ramp-up costs for the expansion of Symrise's menthol capacities in Holzminden also had an effect in the first half. Despite these costs, the Group managed to achieve an EBITDA margin of 20 % (H1 2011: 20 %) and kept profitability at a sustainable high level. Net income for the period rose by 8 % to EUR 84 million (H1 2011: EUR 77 million). Earnings per share increased by 6 cents to EUR 0.71 after EUR 0.65 last year. Cash Flow from Operating Activities Nearly Doubles at EUR 62.5 Million Cash flow from operating activities amounted to EUR 63 million, substantially higher than in the previous year (H1 2011: EUR 34 million). The company has the necessary liquidity and financial strength to fully implement the Group's strategy. The ratio of net debt incl. pension provisions to EBITDA remained, despite the distribution of dividends for 2011, nearly constant with last year's period at 2.3. Share of Sales from Emerging Markets Increases to 47 % The Group's strong position in Emerging Markets led to an increase in sales for these regions of 8 % at local currency. Thus, Symrise is growing nearly twice as fast in Emerging Markets than the Group as a whole. The Emerging Markets in Latin America were substantial growth drivers along with those in Eastern Europe, Russia and the Middle East. Latin America also benefited from growth initiatives implemented there. The share of Group sales generated in the Emerging Markets increased to 47 % in the first half after amounting to 46 % in the first half of 2011. Above Average Growth with Global Customers Symrise has a balanced portfolio of local, regional and global customers. The first half of 2012 continued to deliver especially positive results in business with internationally active key customers. Sales with this customer group increased 11 % at local currency and therefore exceeded the overall growth of the Group. Business with top 10 customers was especially strong in the Scent & Care division with an increase of 13 % at local currency. Sales with major customers rose 8 % at local currency in the Flavor & Nutrition division. Symrise generated 32 % of its overall sales with international key customers in the first half (H1 2011: 30 %). Scent & Care Division Scent & Care increased sales in the first six months of 2012 by 9 % (6 % at local currency) to EUR 444 million (H1 2011: EUR 410 million). The application areas Oral Care, Fragrances and Life Essentials were the top contributors to this result, each posting double-digit growth rates. With a 29 % jump in sales at local currency, Latin America was the strongest growth driver in the division. The Oral Care business unit played a leading role in this development with substantial growth in sales. In Fragrance, a number of new businesses also made a notable positive impact. North America was the second strongest region, generating sales growth of 9 %. Also in this region, the Oral Care business unit was the clear growth driver posting strong sales growth, particularly with key customers. Continuing uncertainties regarding the sovereign debt crisis led to reserved sales performance in the EAME region. Despite the positive impulses from the Emerging Markets in Africa as well as solid growth in the Fine Fragrances and Personal Care application areas, sales were down 4 % at local currency compared to the first half of 2011. The Asia/Pacific region saw sales up 7 % at local currency and generated double-digit growth rates in the Household, Oral Care and Cosmetic Ingredients application areas. Scent & Care increased its EBITDA in the first half by 5 % to EUR 81 million (H1 2011: EUR 77 million) despite ramp-up costs for the expanded menthol production. The EBITDA margin for the segment amounted to 18.2 % (H1 2011: 18.8 %). Flavor & Nutrition Division Flavor & Nutrition increased sales by 6 % in the first half to EUR 427 million (H1 2011: EUR 402 million). At local currency, this corresponded to an increase of 3 %. The division benefited particularly from its activities in the Emerging Markets, favorable core-list positions and from additional new business gained with regional and international customers. Flavor & Nutrition achieved the strongest growth in North America with sales up 12 %. Every application area contributed to this positive development, with sales increases in the high single-digit and double-digit ranges. Sales were up 3 % at local currency in the EAME region. The main growth driver was Russia with a double-digit growth rate, while the sovereign debt crisis continued to have a notable effect on Western European markets. Sales growth was restrained in the Asia/Pacific region, up 1 %. In Latin America, Flavor & Nutrition increased its sales by 2 % at local currency. Flavor & Nutrition improved its EBITDA by 9 % in the first half to EUR 93 million (H1 2011: EUR 86 million). The EBITDA margin remained at an excellent level with 21.8 % compared to 21.3 % in the prior-year period. Outlook for the Full Year - Objectives Confirmed Symrise remains confident of a good second half despite continuing uncertainties surrounding the European sovereign debt crisis. The Group has a balanced business: it is geographically well positioned and operates with two nearly identically sized divisions; in addition it has a broad customer base. Following the positive developments of the first half of 2012, Symrise confirms its increased outlook from May and continues to aim for sales growth between 3 % and 5 %. Further growth is expected in both Emerging Markets as well as industrialized nations although in Western Europe this is expected to be reserved due to the sovereign debt crisis. Symrise also continues to focus on its approach to realize sustainable, profitable growth and aims to achieve an EBITDA margin of about 20 %, despite persistently high raw material and energy prices. Key Figures of the Group EUR MILLION | |H1 2011 H1 2012 Change % Change lc % Sales | |811.8 | |871.6 | |7.4 | |4.4 | EBITDA | |162.5 | |174.0 | |7 | |4 | EBITDA margin in % | |20.0 | |20.0 | | | | | EBIT | |120.7 | |130.8 | |8 | |5 | EBIT margin in % | |14.9 | |15.0 | | | | | Net income for the period | |77.4 | |83.5 | |8 | | | Earnings / share in EUR | |0.65 | |0.71 | |9 | | | Operating cash flow | |34.0 | |62.5 | | | | | Scent&Care Sales | |409.5 | |444.4 | |8.5 | |5.5 | EBITDA | |76.9 | |81.0 | |5 | |3 | EBITDA margin in % | |18.8 | |18.2 | | | | | Flavor&Nutrition Sales | |402.3 | |427.2 | |6.2 | |3.2 | EBITDA | |85.6 | |93.0 | |9 | |5 | EBITDA margin in % | |21.3 | |21.8 | | | | | | |Dec. 31, | |June 30, | | |2011 | |2012 | Balance sheet total EUR million | |2,098.2 | |2,138.3 Equity ratio in % | |43.5 | |43.8 | Net debt (incl. pension provisions)/EBITDA ratio | |2.2 | |2.3 | Employees (FTE) | |5,434 | |5,552 | FTE = Full Time Equivalent, not including apprentices and trainees lc = local currency About Symrise Symrise is a global supplier of fragrances, flavorings, cosmetic active ingredients and raw materials as well as functional ingredients. Its clients include manufacturers of perfumes, cosmetics and foods, the pharmaceutical industry and producers of nutritional supplements.Its sales of EUR1.584 billion in 2011 place Symrise among the top four in the global flavors and fragrances market. Headquartered in Holzminden, Germany, the Company is represented in over 35 countries in Europe, Asia, the United States and Latin America. Symrise works with its clients to develop new ideas and market-ready concepts for products that form an indispensable part of everyday life. In doing so, Symrise combines its insights into consumer trends with cutting-edge technologies, focusing on innovative trend and lifestyle products that have additional practical value for the consumer. Symrise - always inspiring more www.symrise.com Further inquiry note: Pressekontakt Bernhard Kott Tel. +49 (0)5531 90-1721 bernhard.kott@symrise.com Investorenkontakt Tobias Erfurth Tel. +49 (0)5531 90-1879 tobias.erfurth@symrise.com end of announcement euro adhoc -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- company: Symrise AG Mühlenfeldstraße 1 D-37603 Holzminden phone: +49 (0) 5531/90-0 FAX: +49 (0) 5531/90-1649 mail: ir@symrise.com WWW: http://www.symrise.com sector: Chemicals ISIN: DE000SYM9999 indexes: MDAX stockmarkets: free trade: Hannover, Berlin, München, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart, regulated dealing/prime standard: Frankfurt language: English
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