Kitron: Q1 2017 - Strong revenue growth and improved profitability

Kitron ASA today reported strong revenue growth and improved profitability for the first quarter.
 
Kitron's revenue in the first quarter amounted to NOK 585 million, compared to 497 million in the same quarter last year. Operating profit (EBIT) was NOK 30.9 million, compared 20.5 million last year.
 
Net profit amounted to NOK 21.6 million, an increase from 10.0 million. This corresponds to earnings per share of NOK 0.12, compared to NOK 0.06 last year.
 
Peter Nilsson, Kitron's CEO, comments:

"While growth, both on the top and bottom line, was unusually strong this particular quarter, the main message is that the quarterly figures confirm the underlying progress that Kitron has made over the past couple of years. The order backlog is solid and the main production facilities are now updated and highly competitive, supporting our outlook for the rest of 2017."

 Very strong growth

Kitron's revenue for the first quarter increased by 18 per cent compared to the same period last year. Adjusted for foreign exchange effects, the increase was 23 per cent. Growth compared to the same quarter last year was particularly strong in the Defence/Aerospace market sector. Industry and Energy/Telecoms also recorded solid growth.
 
Improved profitability

Operating profit (EBIT) for the first quarter was NOK 30.9 million, an increase of 51 per cent. Profitability expressed as EBIT margin was 5.3 per cent, compared to 4.1 per cent in the first quarter of 2016. EBITDA was NOK 42.7 million, an increase of 36 per cent compared to last year.
 
Solid order backlog

The order backlog ended at NOK 1 059 million, an increase of 17 per cent compared to last year. Orders received in the quarter were NOK 620 million.
 
Improved capital efficiency

Net working capital increased by 6 per cent from NOK 522 million to NOK 553 million compared to the same quarter last year, continuing the trend of decreasing net working capital compared to revenue. Operating cash flow was negative NOK 15.4 million, compared to negative 25.3 million in the first quarter 2016.
 
Key defence orders

During the quarter, Kitron reported two key defence orders. Kitron received a NOK 120 million order from Kongsberg Defence Systems (KONGSBERG) for military communications equipment. Manufacturing and technical services will be provided by Kitron in Arendal, and deliveries will take place from 2017 to 2020. Further, Kitron signed an agreement with Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles. The potential contract value is NOK 250 million over a five-year period. The agreement covers manufacturing of electronics, measuring instruments and control devices. The production will take place at Kitron's plant in Kaunas, Lithuania.
 
Modern facility and new MD in Sweden

Kitron Sweden has relocated to the new-built facility in Torsvik. While the move was completed according to budget and without significant technical problems, some temporary inefficiencies impacted profitability in the first quarter. In March, Stefan Hansson Mutas assumed the role of Managing Director of Kitron Sweden.
 
Outlook

For 2017, Kitron expects revenue to grow to between NOK 2 150 and 2 350 million. The EBIT margin is expected to be between 5.6 and 6.4 per cent. The growth is primarily driven by customers in the Industry sector. The profitability increase is driven by cost reduction activities and improved efficiency.
 
Enclosed in PDF are the quarterly report and the presentation.
 
The interim report is presented today at 8:30 a.m. CEST. The presentation will be given in English by CEO Peter Nilsson and CFO Cathrin Nylander, and will be webcast at the following link: http://webtv.hegnar.no/presentation.php?webcastId=51444445