ELRINGKLINGER AG
DGAP-News: ElringKlinger AG / Key word(s): Quarterly / Interim Statement
ElringKlinger reports strong surge in earnings for first quarter of 2021
2021-05-06 / 07:30
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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ElringKlinger reports strong surge in earnings for first quarter of 2021
. Group revenue up by 7.0% to EUR 424.1 million in first quarter, organically by 10.7%
. Significant improvement in earnings: EBIT of EUR 48.4 million up EUR 32.4 million on prior-year figure; EBIT margin
at 11.4%
. Net debt again down markedly by more than EUR 200 million to EUR 400.2 million in last twelve months; net debt/
EBITDA at 1.9
. Strong position in terms of orders, including very good order intake and high order backlog
Dettingen/Erms (Germany), May 6, 2021 +++ ElringKlinger AG (ISIN DE 0007856023 / WKN 785602) has published its full
results for the first quarter of the current financial year. In commenting on the Group's performance, Dr. Stefan Wolf,
CEO of ElringKlinger AG, said, "The positive trajectory seen in previous quarters was maintained at the beginning of
2021. We upscaled our revenue in the first quarter and achieved a significant improvement in earnings. The marked
reduction in net debt, among other aspects, is a testament to the sustained impact of our efficiency enhancement
program. Overall, this has put us in a very solid position for the rest of the year, which will remain challenging
against the backdrop of elevated commodity prices and continued distortions within the supply chain."
Significant growth in revenue
Despite the headwind caused by currency effects, Group revenue rose by EUR 27.8 million or 7.0% to EUR 424.1 million
(Q1 2020: EUR 396.2 million). If exchange rates had remained unchanged, revenues generated by the Group would have been
EUR 14.4 million higher. On this basis, organic revenue growth amounted to EUR 42.3 million or 10.7%. This was
primarily due to the direction taken by the US dollar, but also the Brazilian real, the Mexican peso, and the Turkish
lira. No revenue from acquired or divested companies was accounted for in the reporting period.
Having felt the effects of the coronavirus pandemic in China in the first quarter of the previous year, ElringKlinger
recorded a significant increase in revenue in the Asia-Pacific region from January to March 2021, up 38.8% to EUR 81.8
million. In Europe, the Group saw revenue expand by 4.8%. In North America, meanwhile, the decline in sales revenue
recorded by ElringKlinger in the first quarter of 2021 was attributable solely to currency effects. At constant
exchange rates, the Group's revenue would have increased slightly compared to the same period last year.
Strong operating result
The growth in revenue was also reflected in the bottom-line result: the Group achieved earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) of EUR 77.2 million in the first quarter of 2021, which was up EUR 31.4 million
or 68.6% on the prior-year level of EUR 45.8 million. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) increased by EUR 32.4
million to EUR 48.4 million, which corresponds to an EBIT margin of 11.4% (Q1 2020: 4.0%). Excluding the gain of EUR
10.9 million on disposal of the Austrian subsidiary, which was transferred to the French partner as part of the
agreement with Plastic Omnium, the EBIT margin stood at 8.8%, a significant increase on previous quarters. Alongside a
favorable product and regional mix, this was also attributable to better utilization of existing capacities as a result
of buoyant demand. In addition, both the Aftermarket and the Engineered Plastics segment made a very solid contribution
to Group earnings.
Due to a positive net finance result and a marked improvement in the effective tax rate, the Group was also able to
significantly increase its net income for the period (after non-controlling interests) to EUR 37.9 million (Q1 2020:
EUR 2.0 million). This translates into earnings per share of EUR 0.60 in the first three months of 2021, compared to
EUR 0.03 in the first quarter of the previous year.
Net debt ratio scaled back to 1.9
ElringKlinger continued to pursue its disciplined investment approach in the first quarter, in addition to further
optimizing net working capital. In conjunction with the substantial improvement in earnings performance, these measures
resulted in operating free cash flow of EUR 28.6 million, which contrasts with EUR -2.2 million in the first three
months of the previous year. This figure does not include proceeds from the sale of the Austrian subsidiary or the
payment of EUR 30 million received by ElringKlinger under the terms of the agreement with French supplier Plastic
Omnium as part of the companies' partnership relating to fuel cell technology. The latter payment will help to
accelerate further capacity expansion at the joint venture EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies GmbH, an entity fully
consolidated by ElringKlinger.
The Group was thus able to continue to pursue its approach of consistently scaling back net debt. In the first quarter,
net financial liabilities were reduced by a further EUR 58.6 million compared to the level reported at the end of 2020,
taking the total to EUR 400.2 million. Net debt has been cut by more than EUR 200 million in the past twelve months and
by almost EUR 400 million in the last two years. The net debt ratio (net debt in relation to EBITDA) was 1.9 at the end
of the reporting period, having stood at 3.1 twelve months ago and at 4.7 two years ago.
Impressive order books
The sustained demand for ElringKlinger's products around the globe is reflected in the Group's strong position with
regard to orders: at EUR 576.6 million, order intake was up EUR 221.7 million or 62.5% on the same period of the
previous year. This also resulted in a surge in the Group's order backlog by EUR 196.6 million or 19.9% to EUR 1,185.6
million.
Outlook under challenging conditions
Upon publishing its preliminary quarterly results on April 16, 2021, ElringKlinger had already confirmed its revenue
guidance for the current financial year and had slightly revised upward its earnings outlook. The Group continues to
expect growth at a level roughly in line with the expansion in global car production, while the EBIT margin is likely
to be within a range of around 5 to 6%. In this context, it should be taken into account that the uncertainties with
regard to the remainder of the year are significant and that general conditions continue to be very challenging and
difficult.
Key financials for Q1 2021
in EUR million Q1 2021 Q1 2020 ? abs. ? rel.
Order intake 576.6 354.9 +221.7 +62.5%
Order backlog 1,185.6 989.0 +196.6 +19.9%
Revenue 424.1 396.2 +27.8 +7.0%
of which FX effects -14.4 -3.7%
of which M&A +0.0 +0.0%
of which organic +42.3 +10.7%
EBITDA 77.2 45.8 +31.4 +68.6%
EBIT 48.4 16.0 +32.4 +202.5%
EBIT margin (in %) 11.4 4.0 +7.4 PP -
Net finance income 1.0 -9.8 +10.8 <-100%
EBT 49.4 6.2 +43.2 >+100%
Taxes on income -10.9 -4.5 -6.4 >+100%
Net income (after non-controlling interests) 37.9 2.0 +35.9 >+100%
Earnings per share (in EUR) 0.60 0.03 +0.57 >+100%
Investments (in property, plant, and equipment and investment property) 11.6 12.3 -0.7 -5.7%
Operating free cash flow 28.6 -2.2 +30.8 <-100%
Net working capital 430.4 452.8 -22.4 -4.9%
Equity ratio (in %) 45.0 41.7 +3.3 PP -
Net financial debt 400.2 603.1 -202.9 -33.6%
Net financial debt/EBITDA 1.9 3.1 -1.2 -
Employees (as of March 31) 9,597 10,373 -776 -7.5% For further information, please contact: ElringKlinger AG Dr. Jens Winter Strategic Communications Max-Eyth-Straße 2 | 72581 Dettingen/Erms (Germany) Phone: +49 7123 724-88335 | E-mail: jens.winter@elringklinger.com
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