centrotherm international AG takes positive stock of 2018 and decides strategic course of action for the future

  • Targets exceeded in 2018 with Group revenue of around EUR 180 million and a positive EBITDA of EUR 6.6 million
  • Earnings after tax of around EUR 2 million
  • New innovative system generations for the segments photovoltaics, semiconductors, microelectronics and high-performance fibers
  • centrotherm positions itself for the future with its challenge 23 strategy concept

centrotherm international AG, Blaubeuren, (ISIN: DE000A1TNMM9 and DE000A1TNMN7) has exceeded its targets for fiscal year 2018. Group revenue increased to EUR 180.0 million and exceeded the forecast range of between EUR 110 and 150 million. The Group also outperformed its forecast of breakeven in EBITDA by achieving earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of EUR 6.6 million. centrotherm significantly raised its operating result in 2018, particularly when compared with the previous year. Adjusted for one-off effects, EBITDA in fiscal year 2017 was still negative at around EUR -6.0 million. After tax, the centrotherm Group delivered a positive result of EUR 2.0 million.

Jan von Schuckmann, Chief Executive Officer: “The successful acceptance of major projects before the end of 2018 was a factor that enabled us to outperform our targets. Bringing these projects to a conclusion forms an important basis for the future of the centrotherm Group.” Gunter Fauth, Chief Operations Officer went on to add: “Measures under our challenge 23 strategy concept have already contributed to improving earnings. We were successful in reducing costs and improving efficiency at both centrotherm international AG and at our subsidiary FHR Anlagenbau GmbH.”

Positive order trend despite low investment activity in the photovoltaic industry

Demand from the semiconductor and microelectronics industry was very positive in the year under review. New orders in this business unit doubled to around EUR 45 million compared with the previous year, marking the highest level of order intake from the semiconductor and microelectronics industry in the history of the company. A temporary hold was put on significant investments in new production capacities for high-efficiency solar cells during the past fiscal year due to changes made in China’s photovoltaic subsidy policy in May 2018. Despite the lower order volume from the photovoltaic industry, the centrotherm Group received orders totaling EUR 88.2 million in fiscal year 2018. In the previous year, major projects had contributed to a high order intake. The order backlog as of December 31, 2018 stood at EUR 84.9 million.

Launch of new innovative system generations in all business units

centrotherm has established itself in the photovoltaic market with its production solutions for the manufacturing of PERC solar cells with efficiencies of significantly more than 22 %. A new system generation for PECVD and LPCVD processes and solar cell concepts with passivated contacts will enable solar cell manufacturers to achieve further significant increases in efficiency. In the semiconductor segment, production systems with innovative automation enable customers to process 300 mm wafers in mass production. Furthermore, centrotherm has recently extended its product range with ovens for the manufacturing of high-performance fibers, examples being ceramic or carbon fibers. The c.OXI Carbon oxidization oven in particular has achieved recognition in the sector thanks to its significant energy savings and substantially improved fiber quality.

Jan von Schuckmann: “With this new innovative generation of systems, we are providing a very broad range of product solutions for various industries. This reinforces our technology leadership as well as our competitive capabilities on the international markets.”

challenge 23 strategy concept paves the way for the future

centrotherm is positioning itself for the future with challenge 23 and its extensive pack-age of measures. The aim is to enhance the productivity and efficiency of production workflows. Further training for staff in preparation for a wider scope of tasks also plays an important role in building flexibility into production at the Blaubeuren location. In addition, production capacities required in the important sales market of China will be created by centrotherm Machinery Kunshan newly established in 2018. The centrotherm technology group can generate valuable cost advantages through manufacturing components in China and through the global purchasing of parts. In addition, delivery times that represent a significant and also decisive factor in the awarding of contracts are shortened.

“Along with our innovative capability, expanding our presence in China is very signifi-cant in strategic terms. On the one hand we are closer to our customers. On the other, we have a good basis for holding our own as a German company against the competition in the sales market of China that is so important to us. Our technology expertise and Research & Development remain in Blaubeuren. Critical and sensitive system components such as the process modules will be produced here,” Gunter Fauth emphasizes.

Outlook for the current fiscal year 2019

The Management Board considers the centrotherm Group to be technologically well equipped to serve market requirements. This is also emphasized by a major order worth more than EUR 40 million that was placed with centrotherm in mid-February 2019. In fiscal year 2019, the Management Board anticipates that all sectors will generally perform well. Owing to large-scale projects that will largely only impact revenue in 2020, the revenue target for the centrotherm Group has been set between EUR 90 and 150 million in fiscal year 2019. Due to high price- and competitive pressure, in particular in the photovoltaic industry, breakeven through to positive EBITDA is expected for the Group.

Note: The full report for the financial year 2018 is available in German for downloading from our website under the Investor Relations heading.

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