.
• Incoming orders increased by +9% to CHF 455.6 million
• Net sales rose by +40% to CHF 453.1 million
• EBITDA reached CHF 10.5 million, turnaround confirmed
• Cash flow from operating activities improved by CHF 54.5 million to CHF +2.6 million
• Recapitalisation programme successfully completed
• Balance sheet structure substantially strengthened through capital increase in December 2016
• Targets 2017: Similar level of net sales as in the previous year and substantial improvement in profitability
Meyer Burger Technology Ltd (SIX Swiss Exchange: MBTN) recorded in fiscal year 2016 incoming orders of CHF 455.6 million, representing an increase of 9% compared to the previous year (2015: CHF 418.9 million). Order backlog amounted to CHF 244.5 million as of 31 December 2016, and provides a solid starting position for fiscal year 2017. Net sales increased by 40% to CHF 453.1 million (2015: CHF 323.6 million).
At the EBITDA level, Meyer Burger confirmed the turnaround with a positive EBITDA of CHF 10.5 million (2015: CHF -55.9 million). EBITDA 2016 includes one-time extraordinary expenses in an amount of CHF 3.5 million related to the structural programme. The net result for fiscal year 2016 was substantially reduced compared to the previous year, but was still at CHF -97.1 million (2015: CHF -169.0 million), including one-time depreciation, impairment and provisions in an amount of CHF 11.9 million due to the decision to discontinue wire production at the US subsidiary DMT. With the structural programme, which was already launched at the end of September 2016, and additional optimisations Meyer Burger has laid the basis to also reach the turnaround on net profit level as quickly as possible.
For fiscal year 2017, the company is targeting to achieve a similar level of net sales as in the previous year with a substantial improvement in profitability.
DETAILS ON THE FINANCIAL RESULTS 2016
Meyer Burger’s expectation that wafer, cell and module manufacturers will release new investments in 2016 to upgrade their technologies or also partially invest in increasing their production capacities has been confirmed.
In the incoming orders for 2016, the Group experienced a strong demand for upgrade technologies which has been continuing in the first months of fiscal year 2017. The volume of new orders rose by 9% to CHF 455.6 million (2015: CHF 418.9 million). In the Photovoltaics segment besides various small- and mid-sized orders, the company won a number of larger orders for diamond wire saws, Heterojunction, SmartWire Connection as well as MB PERC / MAiA technologies in a total amount of about CHF 146 million (2015: CHF 142 million). The Specialised Technologies segment also achieved important orders in the various markets that are addressed by this segment.
The order backlog amounted to CHF 244.5 million as at 31 December 2016 (31.12.2015: CHF 257.5 million) and provides a solid starting position for the new fiscal year 2017. The book-to-bill ratio (incoming orders to net sales) was 1.01 (2015: 1.29).
Net sales increased by 40% to CHF 453.1 million (2015: CHF 323.6 million). Meyer Burger has reached its target of solid sales growth and slightly surpassed the guidance that was announced in conjunction with the recapitalisation programme (CHF 420 – 450 million). Adjusted for minor positive currency effects (1.4%) and the divestment of the Roth & Rau Ortner companies in August 2015, the organic sales growth on a like-for-like basis amounted to 43%.
In 2016, operating income after costs of products and services amounted to CHF 211.3 million (2015: CHF 154.2 million). The margin was 46.6% and remained within the range of the previous year’s expectations (2015: 47.7%).
The various measures implemented in previous years to reduce the operating expenses have shown the expected results. Operating expenses in total were below the previous year, despite the increase in net sales. Personnel expenses were at CHF 150.5 million in fiscal year 2016 (2015: CHF 154.8 million), other operating expenses at CHF 50.2 million (2015: CHF 55.4 million). The structural programme, which was initiated at the end of September 2016, led to one-time extraordinary expenses in an amount of about CHF 3.5 million in 2016. The cost reductions which will be achieved from the decline in personnel in conjunction with the structural programme will mainly become effective in the second half of 2017 (due to running termination periods).
At the EBITDA level the turnaround was confirmed with a positive EBITDA of CHF 10.5 million (2015: CHF -55.9 million).
The result at EBIT level amounted to CHF -44.4 million (2015: CHF -128.7 million). Depreciation and amortisation came to a total of CHF 54.9 million (2015: CHF 72.7 million).
The financial result, net, was CHF -20.3 million (2015: CHF -28.2 million). The change compared to the previous year is mainly due to different effects regarding the valuation of intercompany loans to foreign subsidiaries at each balance sheet date (due to unrealised positive / negative currency translation effects).
The extraordinary result includes expenses in conjunction with the decision to discontinue the wire production of diamond wire at Diamond Material Tech (DMT) in Colorado Springs, USA. This decision led to one-time non-cash related depreciation and impairment of inventory and manufacturing equipment as well as to provisions. The extraordinary result amounted to CHF -11.9 million in fiscal year 2016 (2015: 0).
Tax expenses were CHF 20.6 million (2015: tax expenses of CHF 12.2 million). Tax expenses in 2016 are mainly related to adjustments on deferred tax assets on unused tax loss carry-forwards.
The net result came to CHF -97.1 million (2015: CHF -169.0 million), including the extraordinary result of CHF -11.9 million with regard to DMT. The net result per share was CHF -0.30 (2015: CHF -0.53).
Balance sheet: The balance sheet structure was substantially strengthened by the capital increase in December 2016. Total assets rose to CHF 629.9 million as at 31 December 2016 (31.12.2015: CHF 572.3 million). Current assets include cash and cash equivalents of CHF 246.4 million and inventories of CHF 95.2 million. In addition, Meyer Burger already holds CHF 3.1 million of its own 5% straight bond which is due in May 2017. Non-current assets consisted mainly of property, plant and equipment of CHF 100.5 million, intangible assets of CHF 43.8 million and deferred tax assets of CHF 71.7 million.
Current financial liabilities were CHF 131.5 million, and mainly include the liabilities regarding the 5% straight bond 2017. The remaining liabilities mainly consisted of trade payables of CHF 28.0 million, customer prepayments of CHF 58.3 million, provisions of CHF 11.4 million and non-current financial liabilities of CHF 118.7 million. Equity stood at CHF 234.4 million as at 31 December 2016 (31.12.2015: CHF 175.0 million). The equity ratio at year-end 2016 was at 37.2% (31.12.2015: 30.6%) and will increase, once the CHF 130 million 5% straight bond has been repaid in May 2017 (as an effect of the balance sheet contradiction).
Cash flow from operating activities was CHF +2.6 million (2015: CHF -51.9 million) and improved by CHF 54.5 million compared to the previous year. This is mainly due to a marked improvement of the operating performance and a decline in net working capital.
Cash flow from investing activities amounted to CHF -9.0 million (2015: CHF -11.7 million). Investments into property, plant and equipment were CHF 4.9 million net, and CHF 3.1 million were invested into the company’s outstanding 5% straight bond 2017.
Cash flow from financing activities was CHF +151.5 million (2015: CHF -2.0 million). The company received net proceeds of CHF 155.1 million from the capital increase in December 2016. Besides expenses for the capital increase, a further CHF 3.0 million was spent for the refinancing of the convertible bond.
Recapitalisation programme successfully completed
In March 2017, the recapitalisation programme executed in November and December 2016 was finally and successfully completed with the legal validity of the verdict by the High Court of the Canton of Berne (which had approved the amendments of the conditions of the CHF 100 million convertible bond as previously approved by the bondholders’ meeting on 25 November 2016).
The repayment of the CHF 130 million straight bonds due on 24 May 2017 is secured and will be done with available cash and cash equivalents.
Outlook
The long-term positive trend in solar energy will remain and PV produced energy will occupy an increasingly important position in the future energy supply in the coming years and decades. For Meyer Burger’s customers, the continuous growth in the end-installed PV base means that they have to make additional investments to keep up with technology advances in cell and module efficiency and with the rapid market growth.
For the fiscal year 2017, the company is targeting to achieve a similar level of net sales as in the previous year, and a substantial improvement in profitability.
The Annual Report 2016 and the investors‘ presentation for the fiscal year 2016 results are available for download on the company website www.meyerburger.com under – Investor Relations – Financial Reports & Publications.
http://www.meyerburger.com/ch/en/meyer-burger/investor-relations/financial-reports-publications/
THIS PRESS RELEASE IS NOT BEING ISSUED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND SHOULD NOT BE DISTRIBUTED TO U.S. PERSONS OR PUBLICATIONS WITH A GENERAL CIRCULATION IN THE UNITED STATES. THIS PRESS RELEASE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR INVITATION TO SUBSCRIBE FOR, EXCHANGE OR PURCHASE ANY SECURITIES. IN ADDITION, THE SECURITIES OF MEYER BURGER TECHNOLOGY LTD HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR DELIVERED WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO U.S. PERSONS ABSENT REGISTRATION UNDER OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES LAWS.
This press release may contain “forward-looking statements”, such as guidance, expectations, plans, intentions, or strategies regarding the future. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. The reader is cautioned that actual future results may differ from those expressed in or implied by the statements, which constitute projections of possible developments. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are based on data available to Meyer Burger Technology Ltd as of the date that this press release is published. The company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
• Incoming orders increased by +9% to CHF 455.6 million
• Net sales rose by +40% to CHF 453.1 million
• EBITDA reached CHF 10.5 million, turnaround confirmed
• Cash flow from operating activities improved by CHF 54.5 million to CHF +2.6 million
• Recapitalisation programme successfully completed
• Balance sheet structure substantially strengthened through capital increase in December 2016
• Targets 2017: Similar level of net sales as in the previous year and substantial improvement in profitability
Meyer Burger Technology Ltd (SIX Swiss Exchange: MBTN) recorded in fiscal year 2016 incoming orders of CHF 455.6 million, representing an increase of 9% compared to the previous year (2015: CHF 418.9 million). Order backlog amounted to CHF 244.5 million as of 31 December 2016, and provides a solid starting position for fiscal year 2017. Net sales increased by 40% to CHF 453.1 million (2015: CHF 323.6 million).
At the EBITDA level, Meyer Burger confirmed the turnaround with a positive EBITDA of CHF 10.5 million (2015: CHF -55.9 million). EBITDA 2016 includes one-time extraordinary expenses in an amount of CHF 3.5 million related to the structural programme. The net result for fiscal year 2016 was substantially reduced compared to the previous year, but was still at CHF -97.1 million (2015: CHF -169.0 million), including one-time depreciation, impairment and provisions in an amount of CHF 11.9 million due to the decision to discontinue wire production at the US subsidiary DMT. With the structural programme, which was already launched at the end of September 2016, and additional optimisations Meyer Burger has laid the basis to also reach the turnaround on net profit level as quickly as possible.
For fiscal year 2017, the company is targeting to achieve a similar level of net sales as in the previous year with a substantial improvement in profitability.
DETAILS ON THE FINANCIAL RESULTS 2016
Meyer Burger’s expectation that wafer, cell and module manufacturers will release new investments in 2016 to upgrade their technologies or also partially invest in increasing their production capacities has been confirmed.
In the incoming orders for 2016, the Group experienced a strong demand for upgrade technologies which has been continuing in the first months of fiscal year 2017. The volume of new orders rose by 9% to CHF 455.6 million (2015: CHF 418.9 million). In the Photovoltaics segment besides various small- and mid-sized orders, the company won a number of larger orders for diamond wire saws, Heterojunction, SmartWire Connection as well as MB PERC / MAiA technologies in a total amount of about CHF 146 million (2015: CHF 142 million). The Specialised Technologies segment also achieved important orders in the various markets that are addressed by this segment.
The order backlog amounted to CHF 244.5 million as at 31 December 2016 (31.12.2015: CHF 257.5 million) and provides a solid starting position for the new fiscal year 2017. The book-to-bill ratio (incoming orders to net sales) was 1.01 (2015: 1.29).
Net sales increased by 40% to CHF 453.1 million (2015: CHF 323.6 million). Meyer Burger has reached its target of solid sales growth and slightly surpassed the guidance that was announced in conjunction with the recapitalisation programme (CHF 420 – 450 million). Adjusted for minor positive currency effects (1.4%) and the divestment of the Roth & Rau Ortner companies in August 2015, the organic sales growth on a like-for-like basis amounted to 43%.
In 2016, operating income after costs of products and services amounted to CHF 211.3 million (2015: CHF 154.2 million). The margin was 46.6% and remained within the range of the previous year’s expectations (2015: 47.7%).
The various measures implemented in previous years to reduce the operating expenses have shown the expected results. Operating expenses in total were below the previous year, despite the increase in net sales. Personnel expenses were at CHF 150.5 million in fiscal year 2016 (2015: CHF 154.8 million), other operating expenses at CHF 50.2 million (2015: CHF 55.4 million). The structural programme, which was initiated at the end of September 2016, led to one-time extraordinary expenses in an amount of about CHF 3.5 million in 2016. The cost reductions which will be achieved from the decline in personnel in conjunction with the structural programme will mainly become effective in the second half of 2017 (due to running termination periods).
At the EBITDA level the turnaround was confirmed with a positive EBITDA of CHF 10.5 million (2015: CHF -55.9 million).
The result at EBIT level amounted to CHF -44.4 million (2015: CHF -128.7 million). Depreciation and amortisation came to a total of CHF 54.9 million (2015: CHF 72.7 million).
The financial result, net, was CHF -20.3 million (2015: CHF -28.2 million). The change compared to the previous year is mainly due to different effects regarding the valuation of intercompany loans to foreign subsidiaries at each balance sheet date (due to unrealised positive / negative currency translation effects).
The extraordinary result includes expenses in conjunction with the decision to discontinue the wire production of diamond wire at Diamond Material Tech (DMT) in Colorado Springs, USA. This decision led to one-time non-cash related depreciation and impairment of inventory and manufacturing equipment as well as to provisions. The extraordinary result amounted to CHF -11.9 million in fiscal year 2016 (2015: 0).
Tax expenses were CHF 20.6 million (2015: tax expenses of CHF 12.2 million). Tax expenses in 2016 are mainly related to adjustments on deferred tax assets on unused tax loss carry-forwards.
The net result came to CHF -97.1 million (2015: CHF -169.0 million), including the extraordinary result of CHF -11.9 million with regard to DMT. The net result per share was CHF -0.30 (2015: CHF -0.53).
Balance sheet: The balance sheet structure was substantially strengthened by the capital increase in December 2016. Total assets rose to CHF 629.9 million as at 31 December 2016 (31.12.2015: CHF 572.3 million). Current assets include cash and cash equivalents of CHF 246.4 million and inventories of CHF 95.2 million. In addition, Meyer Burger already holds CHF 3.1 million of its own 5% straight bond which is due in May 2017. Non-current assets consisted mainly of property, plant and equipment of CHF 100.5 million, intangible assets of CHF 43.8 million and deferred tax assets of CHF 71.7 million.
Current financial liabilities were CHF 131.5 million, and mainly include the liabilities regarding the 5% straight bond 2017. The remaining liabilities mainly consisted of trade payables of CHF 28.0 million, customer prepayments of CHF 58.3 million, provisions of CHF 11.4 million and non-current financial liabilities of CHF 118.7 million. Equity stood at CHF 234.4 million as at 31 December 2016 (31.12.2015: CHF 175.0 million). The equity ratio at year-end 2016 was at 37.2% (31.12.2015: 30.6%) and will increase, once the CHF 130 million 5% straight bond has been repaid in May 2017 (as an effect of the balance sheet contradiction).
Cash flow from operating activities was CHF +2.6 million (2015: CHF -51.9 million) and improved by CHF 54.5 million compared to the previous year. This is mainly due to a marked improvement of the operating performance and a decline in net working capital.
Cash flow from investing activities amounted to CHF -9.0 million (2015: CHF -11.7 million). Investments into property, plant and equipment were CHF 4.9 million net, and CHF 3.1 million were invested into the company’s outstanding 5% straight bond 2017.
Cash flow from financing activities was CHF +151.5 million (2015: CHF -2.0 million). The company received net proceeds of CHF 155.1 million from the capital increase in December 2016. Besides expenses for the capital increase, a further CHF 3.0 million was spent for the refinancing of the convertible bond.
Recapitalisation programme successfully completed
In March 2017, the recapitalisation programme executed in November and December 2016 was finally and successfully completed with the legal validity of the verdict by the High Court of the Canton of Berne (which had approved the amendments of the conditions of the CHF 100 million convertible bond as previously approved by the bondholders’ meeting on 25 November 2016).
The repayment of the CHF 130 million straight bonds due on 24 May 2017 is secured and will be done with available cash and cash equivalents.
Outlook
The long-term positive trend in solar energy will remain and PV produced energy will occupy an increasingly important position in the future energy supply in the coming years and decades. For Meyer Burger’s customers, the continuous growth in the end-installed PV base means that they have to make additional investments to keep up with technology advances in cell and module efficiency and with the rapid market growth.
For the fiscal year 2017, the company is targeting to achieve a similar level of net sales as in the previous year, and a substantial improvement in profitability.
The Annual Report 2016 and the investors‘ presentation for the fiscal year 2016 results are available for download on the company website www.meyerburger.com under – Investor Relations – Financial Reports & Publications.
http://www.meyerburger.com/ch/en/meyer-burger/investor-relations/financial-reports-publications/
THIS PRESS RELEASE IS NOT BEING ISSUED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND SHOULD NOT BE DISTRIBUTED TO U.S. PERSONS OR PUBLICATIONS WITH A GENERAL CIRCULATION IN THE UNITED STATES. THIS PRESS RELEASE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR INVITATION TO SUBSCRIBE FOR, EXCHANGE OR PURCHASE ANY SECURITIES. IN ADDITION, THE SECURITIES OF MEYER BURGER TECHNOLOGY LTD HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR DELIVERED WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO U.S. PERSONS ABSENT REGISTRATION UNDER OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES LAWS.
This press release may contain “forward-looking statements”, such as guidance, expectations, plans, intentions, or strategies regarding the future. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. The reader is cautioned that actual future results may differ from those expressed in or implied by the statements, which constitute projections of possible developments. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are based on data available to Meyer Burger Technology Ltd as of the date that this press release is published. The company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
