Centrotherm: Full order books and high production capacity utilization

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.

Note: The half-year report 2019 is available in German for downloading from our website under the Investor Relations heading.

About centrotherm international AG

centrotherm has been developing and realizing innovative thermal solutions for more than 70 years. As a leading, globally active technology group, we offer production solutions for the photovoltaic, semiconductor and microelectronics industries.

The continuous further development of our successful solutions in thermal processing and coating, such as for crystalline solar cell and semiconductor manufacturing, forms the basis for successful partnerships with industry, research and development.

Our customers worldwide appreciate the process stability, scalability and availability of our production systems in mass production. Our work is also distinguished by the fact that we create specific, high-end process technology solutions tailored to our customers' requirements, and that we are outstanding in system construction.

Together, we face the daily challenges of setting new trends, maximizing production efficiency (such as for solar cells and semiconductors), and - paired with our systems' durability - securing investments.

We thereby generate sustainable competitive advantages for our customers through targeted innovations in processes and production solutions.

We engage around 650 employees worldwide to further develop high-tech solutions for key markets.

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

Contact:

Nathalie Albrecht
Manager Public & Investor Relations
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