technotrans AG continues growth course in the first half of the year

Clear turnover increase in the second quarter / Dynamic growth in the print area / Demand in engineering and growth markets increases


technotrans AG remains on growth course in spite of the challenging economic framework conditions. In particular the positive development in the print industry and the perspective markets contributed to the positive business development in the first half of the year. Turnover in the reporting period increased by 5.3 percent to EUR 63.6 M, while the operative profit (EBIT) remained at the previous year's level of EUR 4.4 M. The Board of Management of technotrans AG at the same time affirmed the forecast for the current financial year.

"In spite of a difficult economic and geopolitical environment, we have grown clearly again in all areas in the second quarter," says Henry Brickenkamp, spokesman of the board of technotrans AG. The second quarter of the year had at the same time been that with the highest turnover since the financial crisis. Revenue rose by 11.4 percent to EUR 33.2 M in the second quarter. The operating result (EBIT) reached EUR 2.3 million, 8.0 percent up on the previous year. This already includes the costs for the successful print industry fair drupa, which amounted to EUR 0.4 M.

In the Technology segment, technotrans experienced a turnover increase of 3.9 percent to EUR 41.9 M, which corresponds to a turnover ratio of 66 percent. In particular the increasing demand from the print industry turned out to be a growth driver here. The company recently became established as supplier for the print machine manufactures of all alignments, as the leading industry trade fair drupa showed in June: "Not only the traditional offset print machines, but also a large share of the flexo and digital print machines are equipped with our devices," explains Brickenkamp. Due to the generally positive basic mood in the print industry, the technotrans management assumes a turnover increase in the print areas as compared to the previous year in the further course of the financial year. The operational segment result dropped by EUR 0.2 M to EUR 0.9 M due to the higher spendings in connection with the appearance at drupa. Adjusted by this special effect at EUR 0.4 M, the EBIT in the Technology segment developed positively, however.

Positive development in the growth markets
Between April and June, the turnovers outside of the print industry also increased significantly at 18 percent as compared to the previous quarter (Q1/2016). The traditional machine and plant construction developed positively again, with the increasing business with laser producers being essential here. technotrans had the highest growth on the growth markets of medical technology, scanner technology and in particular battery cooling. "In the area of battery cooling, it is particularly positive that we have become established as a recognised development partner with manufacturers of train, bus and automotive manufacturers," emphasises Brickenkamp, who expects additional growth impulses here in the next years.

Revenue in the Services segment rose by 8.2 percent to EUR 21.7 M in the first quarter. This development is driven both by follow-on business in the technology markets and a positive course of business in the service business in the technical documentation area. The recently acquired Ovidius GmbH was consolidated for the first time, which leads to an additional turnover contribution at EUR 0.4 M.

Board reaffirms forecast for 2016
"We consider ourselves set up well to continue the positive course of business in the next quarters as well," explains Brickenkamp. In spite of various global insecurities, the management assumes that a turnover between EUR 126 and 132 M will be achieved in the current financial year. For the EBIT, technotrans continues to expect a value between EUR 9.5 and 10.5 M.

The full half-year financial report 2016 is available to download from Investor Relations/Financial Reports section of the company website.

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