pta20191204029
Public disclosure of inside information according to article 17 MAR

Dr. Hönle AG: Hönle Group generates operating profit of Euro 17 million

Gräfelfing, München (pta029/04.12.2019/15:10 UTC+1) According to preliminary figures, the Hönle Group's revenue in the financial year 2018/2019 was TEur107,747, which is 14.8% below the previous year's figure. The operating result (EBIT) decreased from TEur30,687 to TEur17,003, which corresponds to an EBIT margin of 15.5% (PY: 23.9%).
The main reason for the decline in earnings were a significantly lower sales of adhesives in the area of sensors. Sales and earnings in the Equipment & Systems segment also fell short of the previous year due to the economic downturn.
The pre-tax result (EBT) fell from TEur30,397 to TEur16,869. After income taxes, consolidated net income amounted to TEur12,396 (PY: TEur21,726) which corresponds to earnings per share of Eur2.26 (PY: Eur3.94).

Outlook
In the past fiscal year, Hönle has established important new customer relationships in the Adhesives segment, especially in the consumer electronics area, and has strengthened the business relationship with major customers. In this context, the quality as well as the number and volume of customer projects could be increased significantly compared to the previous year and distributed to a broader customer base. All major smartphone manufacturers are among the customers of the Hönle Group now.
The Executive Board therefore sees good conditions for a strong business development in the coming years, also against the background that sales with a major customer in the area of sensors are likely to be lower in the current fiscal year and temporarily reduce this year's growth compared to the previous year.
Sales capacities in the adhesives segment will be increased by about 35% in the 2019/2020 financial year. In addition, the Hönle Group is investing in expanding its research and development capacities.

After a decline in sales in the Equipment & Systems segment in the year under review, which was attributable in particular to economic weakness in the printing industry, positive business development in this segment is expected again for the 2019/2020 financial year.
Hönle has expanded its product range in the area of printing in order to tap further sales potential in addition to UV drying. Hönle also will be adding new technologies to its product range in the area of surface disinfection. Increasing sales and cost-saving measures already implemented are expected to contribute to a significant improvement in earnings in the Equipment & Systems segment.

In the Glass & Lamps segment, it is planned to move the location of Aladin GmbH from Bavaria to Thuringia into the facility of UV Technik Speziallampen GmbH. Low pressure lamps as well as medium pressure lamps will be produced exclusively in Thuringia then. In addition, the site has been expanded to include a new building, thus offering significantly higher production capacities for the planned growth, especially in the field of ballast water sterilization.
At Raesch Quarz (Germany) GmbH, successful product qualification and ongoing qualification processes at major customers in the semiconductor and glass fiber markets are expected to contribute to an increase in sales and earnings. It is expected that the currently weaker quartz glass market will recover in the first half of 2020.

Unless the general economic conditions deteriorate significantly, the Executive Board expects sales of Eur105 to 115 million and an operating profit of Eur17 to 20 million for the 2019/2020 financial year.

The Annual Report 2018/2019 will be published on January 28, 2020 and can then be downloaded here: https://www.hoenle.com/investor-relation/financial-information

About Hönle
Dr. Hönle AG is a listed technology company with head office in Gräfelfing, near Munich. With a staff level of about 600 employees, the Hönle Group develops innovative solutions for different industrial production processes. The equipment is used for drying inks and coatings, curing adhesives and plastics, disinfecting surfaces, and in the simulation of natural sunlight. The company's business activities also include the development and sale of industrial adhesives and sealings. In addition, the group manufactures UV lamps that are used in water sterilisation and for other applications and produces tubing and semi-finished goods made of quartz glass that are used by various branches of industry. The Hönle Group is represented worldwide more than 20 countries by own companies and sales partners.

(end)

Emitter: Dr. Hönle AG
Lochhamer Schlag 1
82166 Gräfelfing/München
Germany
Contact Person: Peter Weinert
Phone: +49 89 85608-173
E-Mail: peter.weinert@hoenle.de
Website: www.hoenle.de
ISIN(s): DE0005157101 (Share)
Stock Exchange(s): Regulated Market in Frankfurt; Free Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, Munich, Stuttgart, Tradegate
|