Jenoptik is expecting further growth in 2020

According to provisional calculations, group revenue grew 2.5 percent to around 855 million euros in the past fiscal year (prior year: 834.6 million euros). The solid performance was mainly driven by strong demand from the semiconductor equipment industry and the acquisitions completed in 2018. On a regional level, the Americas saw the strongest growth. EBITDA increased at a faster rate than revenue, by more than 5 percent to approximately 134 million euros (prior year: 127.5 million euros), equating to an EBITDA margin of 15.7 percent (prior year: 15.3 percent). “In spite of the overall economic slowdown, demand in key parts of our business improved as expected in the second half of 2019 compared with the two prior quarters. As a result, and including the export license for VINCORION granted at the beginning of October, we were able to meet our targets and actually increase the profitability of the Jenoptik Group more strongly than expected. This, in no small part, is reflecting the outstanding work our employees do,” said Jenoptik President & CEO Dr. Stefan Traeger. Good order intake development in fourth quarter Due to major projects in the defense and traffic safety businesses in the fourth quarter the company achieved a sharp rise in order intake compared to the prior quarters of 2019. For the full year, the Group received orders worth around 813 million euros. The decline of around 7 percent was primarily due to a large order in the semiconductor equipment business booked at the end of 2018, and a softening in the automotive sector. “The past fiscal year was once again the best in the company’s history in terms of revenue and EBITDA, despite difficult economic conditions. With an EBITDA margin of around 15.7 percent we exceeded our expectations slightly – in particular due to a strong final quarter,” said CFO Hans-Dieter Schumacher. “We are on the right track with our strategy, i.e. a stronger focus on the photonics markets, the initiatives launched for more innovation, and a greater international presence, to achieve lasting profitable growth for the Group,” added Dr. Stefan Traeger. Growth is to continue in 2020 In view of the order intake development in the fourth quarter, and an ongoing positive development in the semiconductor equipment business, the JENOPTIK AG Executive Board anticipates further growth in the present fiscal year.