GOETTINGEN, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sartorius (FWB:SRT), a leading international laboratory and pharmaceutical equipment supplier, got off to a good start in fiscal 2014, with gains in order intake and sales revenue. In constant currencies, Group sales revenue rose 6.3% and order intake increased 4.9%. Despite negative currency impacts, operating profit1) for the Group also grew 2.0%; its respective margin after the first three months was at 18.0%. Based on first-quarter results, Sartorius confirms its Group guidance for the full year of 2014, which projects currency-adjusted growth in sales of 8% to 10% and an increase of its EBITDA margin to 20%.
"In the Group as a whole, we are on track after three months, with different performance levels reported by our divisions," commented CEO Dr. Joachim Kreuzburg. "Our Bioprocess Solutions Division continues to be the key growth driver for sales and earnings. Besides the gains reported for our single-use products, the businesses we acquired last year in cell culture media and small-volume single-use bioreactors also showed highly positive development. In the Lab Products & Services Division, the phase-out of a few non-strategic product lines from its portfolio dampened performance as expected, and we project that business will pick up, especially in the second half of the year. Earnings development is overall in line with our expectations; however, the considerably less favorable exchange rates compared to the prior year impacted our figures."
Development of First-Quarter Sales Revenue and Order Intake
Sartorius increased its order intake in the first quarter by 4.9% (reported: 2.7%) to 246.3 million euros. Sales revenue grew slightly higher at 6.3% (reported: 4.1%), attaining 223.1 million euros compared with 214.3 million euros in the year-earlier period.
The Bioprocess Solutions Division continued to show high growth dynamics. Order intake for the division rose, despite the high comparative base resulting from the exceptionally strong first quarter a year ago, by 5.3% (reported: 3.4%) to 158.1 million euros. The division's sales revenue climbed 16.9% (reported: 14.8%) and after three months was 137.7 million euros. In addition to strong business with single-use products, the most recent acquisitions in cell culture media and mini-bioreactors primarily contributed to these gains.
For the Lab Products & Services Division, order intake rose 5.4% (reported: 2.7%) to 65.3 million euros. However, its sales revenue was 63.7 million euros, down -4.7% year over year. As expected, the phase-out of a few non-strategic products impacted sales; moreover, the market environment, particularly in Asia, proved to be weaker than expected.
For the smallest Group division, Industrial Technologies, formerly Industrial Weighing, order intake at 22.9 million euros edged up slightly above the prior-year level (+1.0%; reported: -1.1%). Yet its sales revenue fell -13.6% (reported: -15.4%) to 21.7 million euros, with timing effects related to completion of projects having a negative impact as did the ongoing difficult market environment in Asia.
Regionally, the strongest growth impulses were generated by North America, where a gain of 18.4% was recorded and growth contributed by acquisitions played a significant role. Revenue in Asia was up 7.0%; sales with customers in Europe rose 4.7%. (All regional figures currency-adjusted)
Further Increase in Consolidated Profit
Considerably less favorable exchange rates compared with the previous year noticeably dampened the expansion of earnings. Despite this, underlying EBITDA at 40.1 million euros was up 2.0% year over year. The respective margin reached 18.0% relative to 18.4% a year ago. Earnings contributed by the Bioprocess Solutions Division increased 19.4% to 29.8 million euros; its respective margin rose from 20.8% in the year-earlier quarter to 21.7% in the reporting quarter. The Lab Products & Services Division reported an underlying EBITDA of 8.9 million euros relative to 12.0 million euros a year ago and a margin of 14.0%, compared with 17.5% in the previous year. Underlying EBITDA for the Industrial Technologies Division was 1.4 million euros relative to 2.4 million euros a year earlier; this corresponds to a margin of 6.4% versus 9.2% in the year before.
Group EBIT, including extraordinary items of -1.3 million euros (Q1 2013: -1.0 million euros), depreciation and amortization, was 26.0 million euros (-5.7%). The respective margin was 11.7% compared with 12.9% a year ago. Relevant net profit2) for the Group was 13.8 million euros (Q1 2013: 14.8 million euros). Its respective earnings per ordinary share were 0.80 euro (Q1 2013: 0.86), and per preference share, 0.82 euro (Q1 2013: 0.88 euro).
Full-year Outlook Confirmed for the Group
Based on the results of the first quarter in 2014, management confirmed its guidance for consolidated sales and earnings growth. For the full year, Sartorius expects sales to grow 8% to 10% and its EBITDA margin to rise from 19.5% to 20.0%, with all figures given in constant currencies.
"We confirm our full-year Group targets. However, the contribution of each division to the projected Group results could differ from the forecast made at the beginning of the year. Given that the Asian markets most recently developed below our expectations, their further development, in particular, appears uncertain to us. We assume that we will have a clearer picture towards the middle of the year," said Kreuzburg.
1) Sartorius uses underlying EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and adjusted for extraordinary items) as the key profitability measure.
2) Relevant net profit for the Group is calculated by adjusting for extraordinary items, eliminating non-cash amortization and fair value adjustments of hedging instruments, including the corresponding tax effects for each of these items, as well as by taking non-controlling interest into account.
This press release contains statements about the future development of the Sartorius Group. The content of these statements cannot be guaranteed as they are based on assumptions and estimates that harbor certain risks and uncertainties. This is a translation of the original German-language press release. Sartorius shall not assume any liability for the correctness of this translation. The original German press release is the legally binding version. Furthermore, Sartorius reserves the right not to be responsible for the topicality, correctness, completeness or quality of the information provided. Liability claims regarding damage caused by the use of any information provided, including any kind of information which is incomplete or incorrect, will therefore be rejected.
Key Performance Indicators for the First Quarter of 2014
www.sartorius.com/fileadmin/media/global/company/pr_20140428_q1_figures_sag-de.pdf
Current Image Files
Dr. Joachim Kreuzburg, CEO and Executive Board Chairman of Sartorius AG
http://www.sartorius.com/fileadmin/media/global/company/Sartorius_Kreuzburg.jpg
Sartorius products used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals
www.sartorius.com/fileadmin/media/global/company/pr_20140303_bioprocess_solutions.jpg
Sartorius products used in laboratory research
www.sartorius.com/fileadmin/media/global/company/pr_20140303_lab_products_and_services.jpg
Conference Call and Webcast
Dr. Joachim Kreuzburg, CEO and Executive Board Chairman of Sartorius, will discuss the first-quarter figures with analysts and investors on Monday, April 28, 2014, at 3:30 p.m. Central European Time (CET) in a teleconference. You may dial into the teleconference starting at 3:20 p.m. CET at the following numbers:
Germany: +49(0)69 2222 10636
France: +33(0)1 76 77 22 35
UK:
+44(0)20 3427 1928
USA: +1646 254 3370
The dial-in code is as follows: 2162619; to view the webcast, log onto:
http://www.sartorius.de/de/konzern/investor-relations/sartorius-ag/
Upcoming Financial Dates
July 22, 2014 Publication of first-half figures (January – June 2014)
October 21, 2014 Publication of nine-month figures (January – September 2014)
A Profile of Sartorius
The Sartorius Group is a leading international laboratory and process technology provider covering the segments of Bioprocess Solutions, Lab Products & Services and Industrial Technologies. In 2013, the technology group earned sales revenue of 887.3 million euros. Founded in 1870, the Goettingen-based company currently employs more than 6,000 persons. The major areas of activity of its Bioprocess Solutions segment cover filtration, fluid management, fermentation, cell cultivation and purification, and focus on production processes in the biopharmaceutical industry. The Lab Products & Services segment primarily manufactures laboratory instruments and lab consumables. Industrial Technologies concentrates on weighing, monitoring and control applications in the manufacturing processes of the food, chemical and pharma sectors. Sartorius has its own production facilities in Europe, Asia and America as well as sales subsidiaries and local commercial agencies in more than 110 countries.
Key Figures for the First Three Months of 2014
| Sartorius Group | Bioprocess Solutions | Lab Products & Services | Industrial Technologies | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| In millions of € | Δ | Δ | Δ | Δ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (unless otherwise | 3-mo. | 3-mo. | in | 3-mo. | 3-mo. | in | 3-mo. | 3-mo. | in | 3-mo. | 3-mo. | in | |||||||||||||
| specified) | 2014 | 2013 | % | 2014 | 2013 | % | 2014 | 2013 | % | 2014 | 2013 | % | |||||||||||||
| Order Intake and Sales | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Order intake | 246.3 | 239.8 | 2.7 | 158.1 | 152.9 | 3.4 | 65.3 | 63.6 | 2.7 | 22.9 | 23.2 | -1.1 | |||||||||||||
| Sales | 223.1 | 214.3 | 4.1 | 137.7 | 119.9 | 14.8 | 63.7 | 68.7 | -7.3 | 21.7 | 25.7 | -15.4 | |||||||||||||
| - Europe1) | 117.1 | 111.7 | 4.8 | 68.5 | 57.7 | 18.7 | 34.1 | 36.9 | -7.5 | 14.5 | 17.1 | -15.3 | |||||||||||||
| - North America1) | 50.3 | 43.8 | 14.7 | 40.0 | 31.3 | 27.7 | 8.8 | 10.6 | -17.2 | 1.5 | 1.9 | -21.5 | |||||||||||||
| - Asia | Pacific1) | 48.5 | 48.3 | 0.5 | 25.8 | 24.5 | 5.5 | 17.9 | 18.2 | -1.9 | 4.9 | 5.6 | -13.6 | |||||||||||||
| - Other Markets1) | 7.2 | 10.5 | -31.1 | 3.4 | 6.4 | -47.2 | 3.0 | 3.1 | -2.8 | 0.8 | 1.0 | -15.4 | |||||||||||||
| Results | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Operating earnings (underlying EBITDA)2) |
40.1 | 39.3 | 2.0 | 29.8 | 25.0 | 19.4 | 8.9 | 12.0 | -25.8 | 1.4 | 2.4 | -41.3 | |||||||||||||
| EBITDA margin3) in % | 18.0 | 18.4 | 21.7 | 20.8 | 14.0 | 17.5 | 6.4 | 9.2 | |||||||||||||||||
| Underlying EBITA3) | 30.9 | 31.4 | -1.6 | 24.4 | 20.3 | 20.1 | 5.6 | 9.2 | -38.4 | 0.8 | 1.9 | -56.9 | |||||||||||||
| EBITA margin3) in % | 13.8 | 14.6 | 17.7 | 17.0 | 8.8 | 13.3 | 3.8 | 7.4 | |||||||||||||||||
| Relevant net profit4) | 13.8 | 14.8 | -6.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings per ordinary share4) in € | 0.80 | 0.86 | -6.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings per pref. share4) in € | 0.82 | 0.88 | -6.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
1) Acc. to customers’ location
2) Sartorius uses underlying EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and adjusted for extraordinary items) as the key profitability measure.
3) Adjusted for extraordinary items (underlying)
4) Relevant net profit for the Group and the earnings per share are calculated by adjusting for extraordinary items, eliminating non-cash amortization and fair value adjustments of hedging instruments, including the corresponding tax effects for each of these items, as well as by taking non-controlling interest into account.
