All Stories
Follow
Subscribe to Andritz AG

Andritz AG

euro adhoc: Andritz AG
Quarterly or Semiannual Financial Statements / Andritz: Results for the First Half of 2004 - Increase in Order Intake and Sales - Net Income more than doubled - Order Backlog, at over 1.1 billion Euros, reaches record level - In

  Disclosure announcement transmitted by euro adhoc.
  The issuer is responsible for the content of this announcement.
Graz, August 6, 2004.  Technology Group Andritz reports favorable
business developments for the First Half of 2004, with significant
increases in all major financial figures.  Sales of the Group were
685.8 MEUR, up 18.9% compared to the reference period for last year
(H1 2003: 577.0 MEUR).  Net Income excluding minority interests
surged to 25.5 MEUR, more than double the amount of last year’s
reference period (H1 2003: 9.8 MEUR).  Order Intake, at 775.6 MEUR,
was 16.3% higher than in the same period of last year (H1 2003: 667.1
MEUR).  Order Backlog as of 30.6.2004 reached a record level of more
than 1.1 billion Euros.  Due to the favorable business development in
H1 2004, the Managing Board of Andritz has increased its Earnings
forecast for the full year 2004 and expects Net Income after minority
interests to grow by at least 35% compared to 2003.
Favorable development of Sales
In the First Half of 2004, Sales of the Andritz Group amounted to
685.8 MEUR, an increase of 18.9% compared to the reference period for
last year (H1 2003: 577.0 MEUR).  This was mainly due to the
favorable development of Andritz’s core business and the continuation
of its complementary acquisition policy, which further enhances the
Group’s competitive position and provides the basis for future
organic growth.  Fiedler and Bird Machine, which were not included in
last year’s consolidated financial statements, added approx. 46 MEUR
to Group Sales in the First Half of 2004.
High Order Intake
In the First Half of 2004, Group Order Intake reached 775.6 MEUR, a
16.3% increase over the reference period for last year (667.1 MEUR). 
Due to strong performance in almost all of its Divisions, the Pulp
and Paper Business Area increased its Order Intake by 27.9% compared
to the First Half of 2003.  Order Intake of the Environment and
Process Business Area more than doubled, mainly as a consequence of
the first-time consolidation of Bird Machine.
At 406.0 MEUR, Order Intake in the Second Quarter of 2004 reached the
second highest level the Group has ever achieved during a Quarter. 
It increased 28.4% compared to the reference Quarter of 2003 (Q2
2003: 316.1 MEUR) and surpassed the previous Quarter (Q1 2004: 369.6
MEUR) by 9.8%.
Order Backlog as of 30.6.2004 amounted to 1,159.8 MEUR, a marked
increase of 16.9% compared to reference date in 2003 (30.6.2003:
992.3 MEUR).
Strong increase in Earnings
Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, and Amortization of Goodwill (EBITA)
for the First Half of 2004 were 41.3 MEUR, an increase of 70.0%
compared to the First Half of 2003 (24.3 MEUR). EBITA margin improved
to 6.0% (H1 2003: 4.2%).
Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) increased to 33.0 MEUR (H1
2003: 17.4 MEUR).  Net Income excluding minority interests rose to
25.5 MEUR, more than double the amount of last year’s reference
period (H1 2003: 9.8 MEUR).
Solid financial structure
With an Equity Ratio of 23.0% as of 30.6.2004 (31.12.2003: 24.0%),
the Andritz Group has a solid net worth position and capital
structure.  Net liquidity (cash and marketable securities minus
interest bearing borrowings) was 112.5 MEUR as of 30.6.2004
(31.12.2003: 55.0 MEUR).
Outlook
According to the forecasts of leading economic researchers, the
global economy is expected to continue its growth during the coming
months.  As a consequence, a continuation of the favorable project
activity in the relevant Andritz markets - pulp, paper, and steel -
can be expected for the next Quarters.
Quick integration of the newly acquired companies will be one of the
key corporate goals for the coming months.
Due to the very favorable business development in the first six
months of 2004 and the good visibility for the current Second Half
year resulting from the high Order Backlog, Andritz increases its
expectations for Sales and Earnings for the full year of 2004. Group
Sales are expected to rise by approx. 15% compared to 2003, Net
Income excluding minority interests should grow over-proportionally
by at least 35%.
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.
Key Figures for the First Half of 2004
~
(in MEUR)                       H1 2003    H1 2004    Change     2003
Sales                            577.0      685.8     +18.9%  1,225.0
Order Intake                     667.1      775.6     +16.3%  1,394.4
Order Backlog (end of period)    992.3    1,159.8     +16.9%  1,053.6
EBITDA 1)                         34.9       52.0     +49.0%     84.4
EBITDA Margin                     6.0%       7.6%       -        6.9%
EBITA 2)                          24.3       41.3     +70.0%     63.1
EBITA Margin                      4.2%       6.0%       -        5.2%
EBIT                              17.4       33.0     +89.7%     48.9
Earnings before Taxes             18.1       32.7     +80.7%     49.3
Net Income excl. Minorities        9.8       25.5    +160.2%     29.1
Cash flow from
Operating Activities              41.1       90.5    +120.2%      4.6
Capital Expenditure 3)             5.7        5.7    +/-0.0%     20.5
Employees (end of period)        4,518      4,885      +8.1%    4,771
~
1) EBITDA: Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and
amortization of goodwill 
2) EBITA: Earnings before amortization of goodwill 
3) Additions to tangible and intangible assets
The Letter to Shareholders for the First Half of 2004 is available on
the Andritz web site (www.andritz.com) both as an online and a PDF
version.  Printed versions can be requested by telephone (+43 316
6902 2722), fax (+43 316 6902 465) or e-mail
(petra.wolf@andritz.com).
The Andritz Group
The Andritz Group- listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange - is a global
market leader for advanced production systems for pulp and paper,
steel and other specialized industries.  As of June 30, 2004, Andritz
had a staff of 4,885 employees worldwide.  It develops and makes its
high-tech systems at 16 production sites (Austria, Germany, Finland,
Denmark, France, Netherlands, USA, Canada and China).
end of announcement        euro adhoc 06.08.2004

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: ATX, ATX Prime, WBI
Börsen: Wiener Börse AG / official dealing

Original content of: Andritz AG, transmitted by news aktuell