centrotherm: Full order books and high production capacity utilization

Blaubeuren, 30.10.2019

centrotherm international AG, headquartered in Blaubeuren, (ISIN: DE000A1TNMM9 und DE000A1TNMN7) is reporting full order books. In the first six months of the 2019 fiscal year, the technology and system supplier has booked orders across the Group weighing in at a total volume of EUR 155.1 million, and has thereby quadrupled the volume by comparison with the prior year period. The strong order intake is also attributable to large scale projects amounting to a volume in excess of EUR 100 million. This comprises production solutions for high-efficiency solar cells. The order position rose from EUR 84.7 million as of December 31, 2018, to EUR 195.7 million as of the balance sheet date on June 30, 2019.

As CEO Jan von Schuckmann commented: “The new centrotherm production solutions are being very well received by our mostly Asian clients. This is clearly reflected by the high order intake. Committing expenditures of around EUR 7 million we have vigorously invested in the development of new system generations and processes. We are optimistic that these investments and the sales successes recently achieved will have positive effects on our corporate developments.”

Gunter Fauth, COO, went on to add: “In addition to our main production location in Blaubeuren, the production location that we built up at the beginning of 2019 in Kunshan, China, is playing a major role in fulfilling the customer orders from China.“

With Group revenue of EUR 37.1 million in the first half-year, centrotherm has recorded a book-to-bill-ratio of 4.2. The major share of the large scale orders received in the 2019 business year will  only impact on revenue in 2020. The comparatively low revenue development was anticipated and has already been factored in by the Management Board with regard to the forecast for the 2019 business year, stating revenue in the bandwidth of EUR 90 to EUR 150 million. The total operating performance of EUR 54.6 million reflects the high production capacity utilization. In view of the new large scale projects that are not yet impacting on revenue, Group EBITDA is negative in the first six months of the business year. The Management Board is maintaining the overall forecast issued for the 2019 business year.

About centrotherm international AG

Thermal production solutions and coating technologies are among centrotherm's core competencies. For more than 70 years we have been developing and implementing production concepts for a constantly growing international customer base. In addition to growth sectors such as the semiconductor and microelectronics industry, as well as photovoltaics, our innovative solutions are also being applied in new future-oriented fields such as fiber or battery production.

As a leading, globally active technology group, we work closely with partners from industry and research. We improve existing production concepts and set new trends. In this way, we generate valuable competitive advantages for our customers. More than 700 employees worldwide are working to shape the future - GREEN | SMART | EFFICIENT.

centrotherm international AG
Württemberger Str. 31
89143 Blaubeuren
Internet: www.centrotherm.de

German Securities Identification Number (WKN): A1TNMM (bearer shares); A1TNMN (unlisted shares from the non-cash capital increase)
ISIN: DE000A1TNMM9 (bearer shares); DE000A1TNMN7 (unlisted shares from the non-cash capital increase)
Inclusion: Basic Board, Frankfurt Stock Exchange
Corporate domicile: Germany