January–March 2024
- Net sales were
EUR 23.6 million (EUR 30.7 million ) -
EBITDA was
EUR -0.2 million (EUR 2.8 million ) -
Operating result was
EUR -1.5 million (EUR 1.4 million ) -
Cash flow from operating activities was
EUR -0.8 million (EUR 0.7 million )
The information presented in this business review concerns the development of Componenta Group in January–March 2024 and in the corresponding period in 2023, unless otherwise stated.
This is not an interim report in accordance with IAS 34. The company complies with the semiannual reporting in accordance with the Finnish Securities Markets Act and discloses business reviews for the first three and first nine months of the year, which present key information regarding the company’s financial position and development.
The financial information presented in this business review have not been audited.
Componenta’s guidance for 2024
Componenta expects the Group’s net sales and EBITDA to improve from the previous year. The Group’s net sales in 2023 were
The development of customers’ sales volumes, poor availability of raw materials, increases in the prices of raw materials and electricity, and the general economic and labour situation and competitive climate may affect business outlooks. In addition, the development of sales and profitability involves uncertainties because of geopolitical situation. An unfavourable development of the geopolitical situation may also have a negative impact on the financial market, sales volumes, the availability and price development of raw materials and electricity, and the availability of foreign labour, all of which increase forecasting uncertainty.
Sami Sivuranta, President and CEO:
“In the first quarter of the year, volume and order book growth were well below expectations as a result of continued low demand. High interest rates and the development of inflation in the market environment have affected the demand for main customers’ end products, which also had a negative impact on Componenta’s volumes and order book in the first quarter. Net sales were also affected by the lower level of price indices as a result of lower costs, which is why net sales and EBITDA decreased from 2023. In addition to the low utilisation rate, the volume products that were ramped up for serial production in the Karkkila and Pori foundries had a negative impact on production efficiency and quality levels, which contributed to weaker profitability. Profitability was also burdened by the impact of the strikes earlier in the year. However, liquidity remained at a good level during the first quarter.
We have adjusted our operations to meet the temporarily lower volume and order book levels. However, we expect volumes in the second half of the year to be better than in the first half. The ongoing ramp-up of serial products will have a positive impact on the result as deliveries return to their normal level.
We were able to maintain good service capability across the Group despite the challenging operating environment. The general availability of raw materials and other materials is currently at a good level. We are actively monitoring market developments and ensuring that our own supply chains continue to work effectively. There are currently no signs of significant near-term risks to the availability of electricity. However, there is still significant variation in electricity prices on a daily basis.
While there are differences in order books between customers and sectors, the outlook for 2024 as a whole remains generally positive. With the start of serial production of new volume product lines from the second quarter onwards, and thanks to Componenta’s growing market shares, we expect our total production volumes to develop favourably during 2024.
We have updated our strategy for 2024–2026. In this strategy period, we will continue to seek growth in net sales and profitability through systematically implemented measures. By the end of the strategy period, we aim to achieve annual net sales of
Financial development during the review period
Sales volumes decreased in the first quarter of 2024.
The result after financial items was
At the end of the review period, the Group's cash and cash equivalents totalled
Cash flow from operating activities during the review period was
Componenta's equity ratio at the end of the review period was 42.8% (40.2%). The increase in the equity ratio was mainly due to the lower amount of non-interest-bearing liabilities and the positive result for 2023. At the end of the review period, interest-bearing net debt was
Long-term interest-bearing debt totalled
Key figures | Jan 1−Mar 31, 2024 | Jan 1−Mar 31, 2023 | Change, % | Jan 1−Mar 31, 2023 |
Net sales, EUR thousand | 23,566 | 30,726 | -23.3 | 101,809 |
EBITDA, EUR thousand | -152 | 2,800 | -105.4 | 5,278 |
Operating result, EUR thousand | -1,710 | 1,372* | -224.6 | 3,762** |
Operating result, % | -7.3 | 4.5* | -262.4 | 3.7** |
Result after financial items, EUR thousand | -2,258 | 883 | -355.7 | 1,568 |
Net result, EUR thousand | -2,268 | 899 | -352.3 | 1,547 |
Basic earnings per share, EUR | -0.21 | 0.09 | -332.9 | 0.16 |
Diluted earnings per share, EUR | -0.21 | 0.09 | -332.9 | 0.16 |
Cash flow from operating activities, EUR thousand | -769 | 719 | -207.0 | 1,126 |
Interest-bearing net debt, EUR thousand | 10,478 | 5,426 | 93.1 | 9,097 |
Net gearing, % | 41.9 | 21.7 | 93.4 | 35.6 |
Return on equity, % | -8.3 | 3.6 | -327.7 | 6.2 |
Return on investment, % | -3.8 | 3.5 | -207.7 | 9.8 |
Equity ratio, % | 42.8 | 40.2 | 6.4 | 45.0 |
Capital expenditure incl. lease liabilities, EUR thousand | 485 | 934 | -48.1 | 4,066 |
Number of personnel at the end of the period, incl. leased workers | 623 | 642 | -3.0 | 615 |
Average number of personnel during the period, incl. leased workers | 621 | 644 | -3.5 | 631 |
Order book at the end of the period, EUR thousand | 15,768 | 16,579 | -4.9 | 14,532 |
The comparative period 2023 has been adjusted due to a change in the principle of preparing real estate valuations. More information about the change in the accounting principle and its effects on previous years' figures can be found in the section "Valuation of properties and land areas" in the accounting principles for the consolidated financial statements published | ||||
** The operating result for 2023 includes a non-recurring income of |
Risks and business-related uncertainties
The most significant risks related to Componenta’s business operations are risks associated with the operating environment (competitive situation, prices, commodities and the environment), risks related to business operations (customers, suppliers, productivity, production processes, labour market disruptions, contracts, product liability, personnel and information security) and financing risks (availability, liquidity, currency, interest rate and credit).
The availability of certain raw materials such as recycled steel, pig iron, structural steel, aluminium and energy at competitive prices, as well as the uninterrupted supply of energy, is essential for the Group’s business operations. The average market prices of electricity remained at a fairly high level during the review period, and daily and hourly price fluctuations were very high. Because of the geopolitical situation, the availability of raw materials and other materials continues to involve uncertainties in Componenta’s operational activities. In addition, global challenges with the availability of certain components for customers may lead to production disruptions in our end customers’ plants and thereby affect Componenta’s sales volumes in the short term.
To ensure the availability of raw materials and other materials, Componenta actively engages in discussions with its suppliers, continuously updates its needs forecast and optimises its inventory levels to meet longer-term demand, closely monitors the situation of its suppliers and market changes, and responds to these changes as necessary.
According to Componenta’s estimate, the Group has no significant and immediate risk concentrations related to
A prolonged war and unfavourable developments in the geopolitical situation may continue to have a negative impact on the financial market, sales volumes, the availability and price development of raw materials and energy, and the availability of foreign labour, which increases forecasting uncertainty.
The cost risk associated with raw materials is mainly managed through index-based price agreements, based on which the sales prices of products are updated in response to changes in the prices of raw materials for the next quarter. An increase in raw material prices may employ more working capital than expected. In terms of commercial risks, future volumes may be weakened by customers switching to cheaper alternatives due to price competition.
Componenta’s business operations depend on the reliability of production plants, supply and delivery chains and the related processes and systems. Componenta also closely monitors the labour market situation. The quality, accuracy and availability of information are extremely important, as information technology plays a significant role in the operations of Componenta and its suppliers and customers. If materialised, IT and cybersecurity risks may expose Componenta to disruptions and interruptions in operations and the loss or distortion of data, which may lead to interruptions in product availability. Componenta pays close attention to cybersecurity risks and monitors its customers’ situations and notifications.
Componenta continuously monitors the liquidity risk. The Group also finances its operations through factoring arrangements for receivables. Componenta’s current committed credit facilities will need to be renewed in
Resolutions of Annual General Meeting and decisions of the Board of Directors
Componenta Corporation’s Annual General Meeting was held
The AGM decided the number of members of the Board of Directors to be five (5). The AGM re-elected the current members of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors elected
The AGM authorised the Board of Directors to decide on share issues in one or several tranches as follows: The issuance of shares may be carried out by offering new shares or transferring treasury shares held by the company. The total number of shares to be issued or transferred under the authorisation may not exceed 961 563 shares, which corresponds to approximately 9.9 per cent of all the shares in the company. The new shares may be issued and the treasury shares held by the company may be transferred for consideration or without consideration.
The Board of Directors decides on all terms and conditions for the issue of new shares and the transfer of the company’s own shares. Based on the authorisation, the Board of Directors may decide on a share issue in deviation of the pre-emptive subscription right of the shareholders (directed issue) subject to conditions mentioned in the Finnish Limited Liability Companies Act. The authorisation also includes the right to decide on issuing new shares to the company itself without consideration. For example, the Board of Directors may use the authorisation as compensation in acquisitions, to develop capital structure, to broaden the ownership base, to acquire assets related to the company’s business or to finance or carry out other business transactions, or for other purposes decided by the Board of Directors. However, the authorisation may not be used for the implementation of incentive programs of the company’s management or key personnel.
The authorisation is valid until the end of the next Annual General Meeting, but no longer than until
The AGM decided to amend the Articles of Association by adding a new Article 8 on the Sustainability Reporting Assurer to the Articles of Association. As a result of the amendment, the numbering of the current Articles 8, 9 and 10 of the Articles of Association will be changed accordingly to Articles 9, 10 and 11. The AGM decided, that the future Article 11 of the Articles of Association concerning the matters to be handled at the Annual General Meeting be supplemented by adding a new sub-item 10 on the election of the Sustainability Reporting Assurer and by adding to sub-item 6 a mention of the fee and the reimbursement criteria for travel expenses of the auditor and the sustainability assurer.
The minutes of the General Meeting are available in full at the Componenta’s website.
Events after the review period
Componenta agreed on a new working capital loan totaling
Alternative key financial ratios
Componenta publishes certain commonly used key financial ratios that can be derived from the IFRS financial statements. The calculation formulas for these key financial ratios are presented in Componenta’s Annual review published in
Webcast
President and CEO
COMPONENTA CORPORATION
Sami Sivuranta
President and CEO
For further information, please contact:
Sami Sivuranta, President and CEO, tel. +358 10 403 2200
Distribution:
Nasdaq
Principal media
www.componenta.com
Attachments
- Componenta Corporation Business Review 1 Jan−31 Mar 2024.pdf
© STT Info Finland, source