Significant increase in sales and earnings in the first nine months of 2014
SAF-HOLLAND: Significant increase in sales and earnings in the first nine
months of 2014
* Group sales increase by more than 10 percent to EUR 723.5 million
* Adjusted EBIT grows by around 20 percent to EUR 55.6 million
* Positive business development, especially in core markets
* Sales and earnings targets for 2014 and 2015 confirmed
Luxembourg, November 6, 2014 - In the first nine months of 2014,
SAF-HOLLAND achieved a sales increase of 10.5 percent as compared with the
prior-year period. By the end of September, the globally-active commercial
vehicle industry supplier increased Group sales to EUR 723.5 million
(previous year: EUR 654.7 million). Third quarter sales totaled EUR 241.5
million (previous year: EUR 219.1 million). Along with the continued
positive business development and the strong expansion of sales volume,
profitability grew at a disproportionately high rate. In the first three
quarters, adjusted EBIT rose by 20.1 percent to EUR 55.6 million (previous
year: EUR 46.3 million) and the adjusted EBIT margin was up at 7.7 percent
(previous year: 7.1 percent). Adjusted earnings per share increased to EUR
0.77 (previous year: EUR 0.52) while average number of shares remained the
same at 45.4 million.
Share of sales in emerging countries grows to over 10 percent
In Europe, it was possible to increase sales as compared to the previous
year to EUR 118.5 million (previous year: EUR 111.6 million) despite a
weaker market environment in the third quarter. In the first nine months,
sales generated on the European market rose by 12.1 percent to EUR 379.7
million (previous year: EUR 338.6 million). With a 52.5 percent share of
sales, the region once again confirmed its position as key sales driver in
the Group.
In North America in the third quarter, SAF-HOLLAND generated sales of EUR
95.2 million (previous year: EUR 88.0 million). Over a nine-month period,
the company achieved sales in the region of EUR 270.1 million (previous
year: 263.2 million). Adjusted for currency effects, sales in North
America in the first nine months of the year reached EUR 278.1 million,
which corresponds to an increase of 5.7 percent as compared to the same
period in the previous year.
From January to September, outside the core markets North America and
Europe, SAF-HOLLAND achieved sales totaling EUR 73.7 million (previous
year: EUR 52.9 million). In addition to organic growth, the newly-added
Chinese Corpco Beijing Technology and Development Co., Ltd. also
contributed to the disproportionaly high increase. The company, which is
specialized in suspension systems for buses, has been included in the scope
of consolidation of SAF-HOLLAND since January 2014. Overall, the emerging
markets increased their contribution to Group sales in the first half of
the year to 10.2 percent (previous year: 8.1 percent).
Trailer Systems: profitability increased
The Trailer Systems Business Unit increased its sales in the first three
quarters by EUR 41.0 million to EUR 414.1 million (previous year EUR 373.1
million). As SAF-HOLLAND's largest business segment, it thus generated
57.2% of Group sales (previous year: 57.0 percent). Detlef Borghardt, CEO
of SAF-HOLLAND: "In North America we were able to take advantage of strong
market growth and gradually further utilize local production capacities
which were doubled in 2013." The European activities of the Business Unit
also developed positively, but felt the effects of the Ukraine conflict:
Large trailer manufacturers for which SAF-HOLLAND is a major supplier
exported fewer vehicles to Russia. On the earnings side, the business
segment made significant progress. In adjusted EBIT, growth of about 80
percent to EUR 17.2 million (previous year: EUR 9.7 million) was achieved
and the adjusted EBIT margin increased to 4.2 percent (previous year: 2.6
percent) as a result. The favorable earnings development was positively
influenced by the volume effects and the results achieved through the
bundle of measures for improving profitability. By the end of 2015, an
ongoing improvement in the adjusted EBIT margin for the Business Unit to
about 6 percent has been targeted.
Powered Vehicle Systems: strong growth
The Business Unit Powered Vehicle Systems increased sales in the first nine
months by 11.9 percent to EUR 122.9 million (previous year: EUR 109.8
million). Sales volume was expanded further in both North America and
Europe. Not least as a result of exports and innovative product solutions,
the capacities at the European operations of the business segment located
in Singen were consistently well utilized. Adjusted EBIT for the Business
Unit in the reporting period amounted to EUR 8.1 million (previous year:
EUR 9.4 million), the adjusted EBIT margin was 6.6 % (previous year: 8.6%).
The earnings figures, which were weaker compared to the prior-year period
as expected, reflect the unfavorable customer and product mix and seasonal
influences from the Chinese Corpco integration. Activities in the bus
segment which are part of Powered Vehicle Systems developed well. Corpco is
now delivering, as standard supplier, suspension systems for nine-meter
buses for a leading Chinese bus manufacturer. In addition, the new export
model of a major Japanese OEM will have SAF-HOLLAND products as standard
equipment.
Aftermarket: additional sales potential through second brands
In SAF-HOLLAND's Aftermarket business, sales from January to September
increased to EUR 186.5 million (previous year: EUR 171.8 million). Adjusted
EBIT for the Business Unit increased to EUR 30.3 million (previous year:
EUR 27.2 million) with an adjusted EBIT margin of 16.2 percent (previous
year: 15.8 percent). In terms of both sales and earnings, the Aftermarket
business benefitted from contributions from the second brand product range,
SAUER Quality Parts, which was established in 2012. A further second brand,
GoldLine, is currently being added to the spare parts range and will be
launched on the American market at the beginning of 2015. Both brands are
targeted toward country markets in which vehicles with a high service age
and high traveling distances are in use. The demand for original spare
parts is still reluctant here, so that sales potential from the second
brands can be tapped into. The expansion of the global service network in
the Aftermarket Business Unit was continued in the third quarter. One area
of focus was the expansion of the activities in Dubai, from which
SAF-HOLLAND serves markets in the Middle East as well as in North and
Central Africa.
Investments in production, sales and information technology
Investments from SAF-HOLLAND were above the level of the previous year as
planned. The Group invested EUR 21.2 million (previous year: EUR 17.7
million) in the first nine months, which corresponds to an investment rate
of 2.9 percent (previous year: 2.7 percent). Investments were focused on
the acquisition of Corpco as well as expenses for the new Parts
Distribution Center (PDC), the plant consolidation in Europe and
information technology systems.
Product innovations introduced at the IAA Commercial Vehicles trade fair
The Group invested EUR 16.6 million (previous year: EUR 14.8 million) for
research and development in the first nine months, which corresponds to an
R&D ratio of 2.3 percent (previous year: 2.3 percent). With its R&D
activities, SAF-HOLLAND concentrates on new developments for the
optimization of transportation efficiency. The primary focus is on weight
reduction that allow commercial vehicles to carry larger loads and which
reduce fuel consumption. Other R&D objectives include progress in terms of
durability, driving safety and maintenance-ease. The company presented
numerous innovations in September at the world's largest commercial
vehicles fair, the IAA Commercial Vehicles trade fair in Hanover.
Financing structure further optimized
In September 2014, SAF-HOLLAND issued convertible bonds and used a majority
of the proceeds from the emission to repay an existing bank loan in the
amount of EUR 80.9 million ahead of schedule. After the end of the
reporting period, the existing bank credit line was also repaid ahead of
schedule in October and replaced with a newly-negotiated credit line in a
total amount of EUR 109.8 million. As a result of this transaction and the
issue of the convertible bonds, SAF-HOLLAND has interest expense savings of
approximately EUR 2.0 million per year. Wilfried Trepels, CFO of
SAF-HOLLAND: "With the emission of the convertible bonds and the early
refinancing, we have finished the significant optimization of the financing
structure and also financially secured the growth path of SAF-HOLLAND over
the long term." The corporate bond issued in 2012 has a maturity in April
2018, the new credit line in October 2019 and the convertible bonds are due
in September 2020.
Target for 2014 confirmed
Assuming that the overall economic and industry-specific framework
conditions for SAF-HOLLAND do not worsen and as long as there is no
downturn in the crisis regions Syria and Ukraine, SAF-HOLLAND confirms the
forecast for the full year as laid out in March of this year. For financial
year 2014, the company thereby strives to achieve Group sales between EUR
920 and 945 million - with adjusted EBIT of approximately EUR 70 million
and a rising adjusted EBIT margin. For financial year 2015, too,
SAF-HOLLAND continues to target Group sales of EUR 980 million to EUR 1.035
billion and an adjusted EBIT margin of 9 to 10 percent.
Notes:
EBIT was adjusted for the following items that are not originally
attributable to the operating business: amortization from the purchase
price allocation and impairment reversals on goodwill and intangible assets
from the impairment tests as well as restructuring and integration costs.
The key figures chart included in the press release can be accessed at
http://corporate.safholland.com/en/investor/finanznachrichten/pressemittei
lungen.html.
Company Profile:
With sales of approximately EUR 860 million in 2013 and more than 3,000
employees, SAF-HOLLAND S.A. is one of the world's leading manufacturers and
suppliers of premium product systems and components primarily for trailers
as well as trucks, buses and recreational vehicles. The product range
encompasses trailer axle systems and suspension systems, coupling devices,
kingpins, and landing legs, among other things. SAF-HOLLAND sells its
products on six continents to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in
the replacement parts market and, in the aftermarket business, to the OEM's
Original Equipment Suppliers (OESs), as well as by means of a global
service and distribution network. SAF-HOLLAND also sells its products to
end users and service centers using this network. SAF-HOLLAND has therefore
established itself as one of the few manufacturers in its sector that is
internationally positioned with an extensive product range and a broad
service network. SAF-HOLLAND S.A. is listed in the Prime Standard of the
Frankfurt Stock Exchange and is among the stocks in the SDAX (ISIN:
LU0307018795).
Contact:
SAF-HOLLAND GmbH
Claudia Hoellen
Hauptstraße 26
63856 Bessenbach
Phone +49 6095 301-617
claudia.hoellensafholland.de