Feintool International Holding AG: Feintool increases sales by 14 percent

The Feintool Group benefited from its strong market position and expansion in related processes in the first quarter of 2013. In consolidated terms, the industrial group’s sales amounted to CHF 113.0 million – a year-on-year increase of 14.4%. This growth was the result of the forming process acquisition completed in the previous year. In organic terms, sales were down CHF 1.8 million on account of the weaker market environment. Business in the different segments showed a mixed development.

Series production of precision parts gained 28.3% to CHF 83.7 million due to the acquisition factor. This segment is closely linked to manufacturing volumes in the automotive industry. Excluding the acquisition, sales at the System Parts segment were largely on a par with the previous year after adjusting for exchange rate fluctuations. In the capital goods business, Fineblanking Technology’s sales rose 10.5% to CHF 25.3 million. For the System Parts segment, the reporting period was nevertheless characterized by high levels of investment in new presses and machines. Business with third-party customers was virtually unchanged year-on-year at CHF 18.5 million. Sales at the Automation Technology business fell by 24.3% overall to CHF 10.9 million – CHF 3.3 million of which was due to the disposal of IMA Automation Berlin. Sales at the continuing operation of IMA Automation Amberg remained largely constant.

Sharp increase in orders received
Order intake increased by a significant 28.0% versus the previous year to CHF 125.7 million. In the parts business, new orders were up 52.9% at CHF 100.9 million. CHF 23.1 million stemmed from the forming acquisition. All regions contributed to the 17.9% organic growth rate, with Asia’s share making the smallest contribution due to the weaker Japanese yen. Order intake in the Fineblanking Technology segment declined by 16.3% overall to CHF 22.3 million. This is nevertheless a consequence of the lower orders from the internal System Parts segment. Third-party business rose slightly to CHF 19.9 million. Order intake in the Automation business declined by 61.1% to CHF 4.9 million. IMA Automation Amberg, which primarily operates in Europe, was noticeably impacted by the widespread reluctance to invest.

Orders to last six months
The total orders backlog increased by 21.0% year-on-year to CHF 207.1 million, representing an increase of 8.2% compared with 31 December 2012. While the orders backlog in the parts business rose significantly, thanks largely to the acquisition, the equivalent figure for the Fineblanking Technology segment was down 5.5% year-on-year and in the Automation Technology segment it was 40.5% lower. Fineblanking Technology and Automation have enough orders to last six to eight months.

Optimistic outlook
The new financial year began successfully for Feintool. Overall, we expect a stable level of activity for the sector in global terms. Notwithstanding the uncertainties in Europe, we are cautiously optimistic about 2013. We expect group sales in the region of CHF 480 million and – due to additional development costs for the start-up of new products – an operating margin comparable to that seen in financial year 2012.

Media Contact:
Feintool International Holding AG Industriering 8 3250 Lyss Phone 032 387 51 11 Fax 032 387 57 81

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