GRAZ, Austria — March 4, 2016 — International technology Group Andritz showed solid business development in the 2015 business year. Sales increased by 8.8 percent, reaching an all-time high of 6,377.2 million euros (MEUR) (2014: 5,859.3 MEUR). All four business areas noted an increase in sales.
Order intake amounted to 6,017.7 MEUR, thus almost reaching the record level of the previous year (-1.4 percent versus 2014: 6,101.0 MEUR). The order backlog at the end of 2015 amounted to 7,324.2 MEUR (-2.5 percent compared to the end of 2014: 7,510.6 MEUR).
The earnings development was satisfactory considering the extraordinary effects in connection with the measures to optimize the value chain at Schuler. To adjust Schuler’s manufacturing capacities to the product mix and business volume, an amount of 78 MEUR was considered in the consolidated income statement, which was partly offset by project-related positive extraordinary effects of some 40 MEUR in the PULP & PAPER business area. Thus, the EBITA amounted to 429.0 MEUR (+13.0% versus 2014: 379.5 MEUR), and the EBITA margin increased to 6.7% (2014: 6.5%). Without these extraordinary effects, the EBITA of the Group would have been 467.0 MEUR and the EBITA margin 7.3%.
Net income (without non-controlling interests) increased to 267.7 MEUR (2014: 210.9 MEUR).
The net worth position and capital structure as of December 31, 2015 remained solid. Total assets amounted to 5,778.0 MEUR (December 31, 2014: 5,995.2 MEUR) and the equity ratio increased to 21.0 percent (December 31, 2014: 17.3%). Net liquidity amounted to 984.0 MEUR (end of 2014: 1,065.1 MEUR).
At the Annual General Meeting on March 30, 2016, the Executive Board will propose a significant increase of dividend to 1.35 EUR per share for the 2015 business year (2014: 1.00 EUR). This is equal to a payout ratio of around 52 percent (2014: around 49 percent).
From today’s perspective, Andritz anticipates continued uncertainty in its main markets and largely unchanged project activity in all four business areas, and expects business development to continue on a satisfactory level in the 2016 business year. Wolfgang Leitner, President and CEO of Andritz AG: “The main focus this year will lie on further flexibilization and adjustment of the Group-wide cost and organizational structure in order to adapt to the unchanged, volatile market environment, as well as on developing new products. By doing so, we want to create a basis on which to continue our long-term profitable growth.”
Posted March 7, 2016
Source: The Andritz Group
