centrotherm photovoltaics takes stock of 2016 half-year results

Total operating revenue in this segment rose in the same period by 27 percent to EUR 55.9 million. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) were once again in positive territory, standing at EUR 1.1 million. The cost reduction and efficiency program launched in 2014 together with the excellent order book had an effect on operating earnings in the first half of 2016. Centrotherm was able to almost treble its order intake in its core segment compared with the same period in the previous year. New orders totaling EUR 85.4 million were received from the photovoltaics and semiconductor industry (same period in previous year: EUR 29.5 million). In the Thin Film & Customized Equipment segment, sales rose marginally to EUR 7.6 million following EUR 7.5 million in the same period in the previous year. In this segment, too, the centrotherm Group succeeded in improving its EBIT performance slightly from EUR minus 0.5 million to TEUR 84. Revenues in the Silicon segment were, as expected, lower than in the comparative period due to the progress of construction in the major project in Qatar. Sales in the first six months of 2016 amounted to EUR 12.3 million following EUR 40.1 million in the comparative period. EBIT was significantly below the figure for the previous year, standing at EUR minus 2.9 million. However, the figure for the previous year benefited from the one-time effect of billing a customer project amounting to EUR 8.2 million. Restructuring measures were initiated in the first half of 2016 at the subsidiary SiTec which operates in the Silicon segment, and these have already been partially completed. The strategic focus of the company from Augsburg continues to be on fulfilling the major contract in connection with the construction of a polysilicon factory in Qatar. At a consolidated level, the pleasing growth seen in the Photovoltaics & Semiconductor and the Thin Film & Customized Equipment segments was not able to make up for the half-year results in the Silicon segment. Consolidated sales in the first half of 2016, therefore, fell to EUR 61.9 million following EUR 86.0 million in the same period in the previous year. Total operating revenue for the centrotherm photovoltaics Group amounted to EUR 75.9 million following EUR 91.7 million in the comparative period. Group EBIT in the first half of 2016 stood at EUR minus 1.7 million after EUR 10.6 million in the comparative period. Consolidated earnings amounted to EUR minus 2.1 million following EUR 6.7 million in the comparative period in the previous year. New order intake and order book position trends In the first six months of the 2016 financial year, centrotherm was able to significantly increase its order intake to EUR 89.5 million compared with EUR 46.6 million in the same period in the previous year. The Group's order book as at June 30, 2016 had increased to EUR 142.6 million compared with EUR 113.5 million as at December 31, 2015. Outlook for the current 2016 financial year The Management Board is confident that the 2016 forecast that it issued in the 2015 annual report can be achieved. The revenue target for the centrotherm Group lies between EUR 120 and 150 million. New order intake during the first six months of 2016 in the Photovoltaics & Semiconductor segment will make a significant contribution to attaining this goal. In the Silicon segment, the revenue expected for 2016 lies significantly below that of 2015. This is due to the exclusive strategic focus on the large-scale project in Qatar and its related revenue reduction, in turn reflecting the progress we have achieved with its construction. Overall, the Management Board anticipates at least breakeven at the consolidated net result level. The company continues to aim to achieve the latter through consistent efficiency enhancement and cost structure optimization.