EQS-Adhoc: Mikron Holding AG: Mikron reports slightly higher net sales

EQS Group-Ad-hoc: Mikron Holding AG / Key word(s): Final Results Mikron Holding AG: Mikron reports slightly higher net sales

2015-01-22 / 07:00 Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 KR. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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Media release on preliminary volume figures for 2014 financial year

Mikron reports slightly higher net sales

Biel, 22 January 2015, 7.00 a.m. - In the 2014 fiscal year, the Mikron Group increased net sales by 3 percent to CHF 249.5 million (previous year: CHF 241.1 million) and reported order intake of CHF 244.8 million (previous year: CHF 246.4 million), virtually equaling the year-back figure. 2014 closed with order backlog down 4 percent at CHF 117.0 million (end of 2013: CHF 122.4 million). As announced at the end of October 2014, EBIT will be in positive territory, but lower than in 2013. It is still too early to predict how the decision of the Swiss National Bank to abandon its currency floor against the euro will affect the Mikron Group's performance.

The Mikron Group's business areas and markets performed very differently in 2014. Whereas the medical devices and pharmaceutical industries and the US economy in general made significant progress, a widespread mood of caution and uncertainty affected demand for capital goods in Europe, as felt most acutely by the Machining business segment. The solid demand from Switzerland seen in previous years also slowed down considerably. The weak euro also affectecd competitiveness. The Mikron Group nonetheless succeeded in defending the pole market position held by both business segments in Europe. Healthy capacity utilization levels in the automotive industry had an additional favorable impact on the tool and service business. Although developments in the Asian markets fell short of expectations in the year under review, Mikron was still able to win a number of new customers and strengthen local competencies.

The Annual Report, containing the detailed results for the Mikron Group for 2014, will be published at the Media and Analyst Conference on 9 March 2015.

Machining segment Mikron Machining is the leading supplier of customized, highly productive machining solutions for the manufacturing of complex, high-precision components made of metal. Customers in the automotive, watchmaking and writing instruments industries account for the majority of the segment's net sales.

The Machining business segment faced a decrease in demand for machining solutions in 2014. The strong performance by Mikron Machining's tool and service business was not sufficient to offset this fall. For 2014 as a whole, the Machining business segment reported a 12 percent decline in order intake to CHF 110.9 million (previous year: CHF 125.8 million). The segment reported net sales of CHF 123.8 million, only slightly below the prior-year level (previous year: CHF 125.2 million). At CHF 46.9 million, the Machining business segment's order backlog at the end of 2014 was 19 percent lower than at the end of 2013 (CHF 57.6 million).

Automation segment Mikron Automation is one of the world's leading manufacturers of customized, highly productive automation solutions for high-precision assembly and testing of products up to hand size. The segment operates primarily in the medical devices, pharmaceuticals, automotive and consumer goods industries.

Thanks to high demand from the US, especially from the medical devices, pharmaceuticals and consumer goods industries, the Automation business segment increased its order intake by 10 percent to CHF 134.5 million (previous year: CHF 121.8 million) and net sales by 9 percent to CHF 126.8 million (previous year: CHF 116.8 million) in 2014. At CHF 70.1 million, the Automation business segment's order backlog at the end of 2014 was 8 percent higher than at the end of 2013 (CHF 65.1 million).

Preliminary volume figures for 2014 financial year, compared to 2013

 
                                     20141)           2013           +/- 
CHF million 
Order intake                          244.8          246.4           -1% 
- Machining                           110.9          125.8          -12% 
- Automation                          134.5          121.8           10% 
Net sales                             249.5          241.1            3% 
- Machining                           123.8          125.2           -1% 
- Automation                          126.8          116.8            9% 
Order backlog (end of year)           117.0          122.4           -4% 
- Machining                            46.9           57.6          -19% 
- Automation                           70.1           65.1            8% 
 

1) Divisional financial figures before consolidation

End of ad hoc announcement

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2015-01-22 News transmitted by EQS Schweiz AG. www.eqs.com - news archive: http://switzerland.eqs.com/de/News

The issuer is responsible for the contents of the release.

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Information and Explaination of the Issuer to this News:

Brief profile of the Mikron Group The Mikron Group markets machining and automation solutions, enabling customers around the world to master their precision manufacturing processes. Rooted in a culture of Swiss innovation, Mikron is a leading supplier to the automotive, medical devices, pharmaceutical, consumer goods, writing instruments and watch-making industries. The two divisions, Mikron Automation and Mikron Machining, are based in Boudry and Agno, Switzerland, with additional production facilities in Germany, Singapore, China and the United States. The Mikron Group employs approximately 1,200 people who work to provide Mikron customers with an experience that reflects over 100 years of leadership in high-performance and high-precision production. Mikron Holding AG is listed on SIX Swiss Exchange (MIKN).

Contact Mikron Management AG, Martin Blom, CFO Mikron Group Phone +41 62 916 69 60, ir.mma@mikron.com

Download Media Release www.mikron.com/news

Investor Relations Calendar of Events 9 March 2015, 7.00 a.m. - Media release: Publication of the 2014 Annual Report 9 March 2015, 10.00 a.m. - Media and analysts conference 16 April 2015, 4 p.m. - Annual General Meeting 2015 23 July 2015, 07.00 a.m. - Media release: Semiannual results 2015

Except for the historical information contained herein, the statements in this media release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.

Mikron(R) is a trademark of Mikron Holding AG, Biel (Switzerland).

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315255 2015-01-22 (END) Dow Jones Newswires

   January 22, 2015 01:00 ET (06:00 GMT)- - 01 00 AM EST 01-22-15