LPKF surpasses forecast

Exceeding the company’s guidance of EUR 83 to 86 million, consolidated revenue increased by 12% year on year to EUR 91.1 million. The EBIT margin (earnings before interest and taxes) was 17%, which is at the top of the forecast range of 15% to 17%. In 2011, LPKF invested in staff, research and development, IT and new facilities. A total of EUR 14.9 million (2010: EUR 8.1 million) was spent on fixed assets. The number of employees increased from 466 to 602 in the reporting year. “Our focus in 2011 was on expanding capacities. As a result, our EBIT of EUR 15.2 million was down on the previous year's figure of EUR 17.3 million – as we had expected. But we did achieve an EBIT margin that is among the industry’s highest. With record order levels of EUR 25.2 million, we are optimistic for 2012. Our decision to focus investments on growth areas is already bearing fruit,” comments Dr. Ingo Bretthauer, Chief Executive Officer of LPKF. Outlook If the global economy remains stable, the Management Board expects the LPKF Group to post revenue between EUR 100 million and EUR 105 million in 2012. Revenue growth is planned for all segments. The EBIT margin should be between 15% and 17% in 2012. Major orders not considered in current targets could substantially boost the Company’s performance. Given a stable economic environment in both 2013 and 2014, the Management Board expects revenue to grow by approximately 10% per year and the EBIT margin to remain between 15% and 17%.