Kontron reports solid Q2 results

Order entry for continuing operations increased by 5.8 percent to EUR 120.4 million (Q2 2013: EUR 113.8 million). Kontron generated revenues from continuing operations of EUR 116.1 million, after EUR 116.2 million in the same quarter last year. Taking into account one-off effects resulting from the switch to a royalty model for two customers in North America as well as currency effects, revenues increased by 9.7 percent. The book-to-bill ratio exceeded 1.0 for the third consecutive quarter. The gross margin amounted to 25.9 percent (Q2 2013: 26.7 percent). “Our development in the first half of the year is promising and meets our expectations for the financial year 2014. We are on track – not only regarding our financial performance, but also in terms of our internal homework“, says Rolf Schwirz, CEO of Kontron AG. “Now, our focus will turn back primarily to our core business again: providing high-performance ECT products and services to our customers worldwide. We have already started to improve our access to the major growth regions in the ECT market in order to secure future revenues.” Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) for continuing operations and before restructuring costs decreased slightly to EUR 3.7 million, after EUR 4.3 million in the same quarter of the previous year. Earnings in this quarter were affected by restructuring costs of EUR 1.7 million. Thus, the reported EBIT for continuing operations increased to EUR 2.0 million (Q2 2013: EUR 0.2 million). “Our equity ratio of 57 percent underscores Kontron’s solid financial footing“, says Michael Boy, CFO of Kontron AG. “On 26 May 2014, we signed an amended contract for our credit facility. As such, all ‘New Kontron’ measures and our plans for further growth are soundly financed.” Cash flow from continuing operations in the second quarter amounted to EUR -7.5 million, after EUR -2.0 million in the same period of the previous year. This decrease is mainly due to the increase in trade payables compared to the prior-year period. Kontron’s move to Augsburg and Deggendorf is proceeding smoothly and as planned. Engineering teams and production from Roding are now installed in Augsburg. Moreover, all new production facilities have already received full certification. Construction of the new building in Augsburg is also progressing well. All other relocation measures are scheduled to be completed by the end of November 2014.