Press Release: Feintool: Results after 9 months/3rd quarter of 2013: Double-digit growth in order intake and sales

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   October 22, 2013 01:00 ET (05:00 GMT)- - 01 00 AM EDT 10-22-13

-2 of 2- 22 Oct 2013 05:00:00 UTC  Press Release: Feintool: Results after 9 months/3rd quarter of 2013: Double-digit growth in order intake and sales

Feintool International Holding AG / Results after 9 months/3rd quarter of 2013: Double-digit growth in order intake and sales . Processed and transmitted by Thomson Reuters ONE. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

In the first nine months of the 2013 financial year, Feintool lifted its sales by 12.3% year-on-year to CHF 348.5 million. Over the same period, orders received soared by 35.1% to CHF 401.4 million while the orders backlog rose 17.5% to CHF 242.6 million.

"Feintool achieved a considerable increase in sales in the first nine months", said Chairman of the Board of Directors Alexander von Witzleben. "Despite mixed developments across the various markets and an adverse currency effect amounting to a net CHF 5.0 million, relating primarily to the Japanese yen, Feintool achieved its sales targets almost across the board. The markets remain tense, however."

Gratifying order situation

In the period 1 July - 30 September 2013, orders received increased by 31.4% to CHF 124.3 million. As business in the automotive industry remained stable and thanks to a large number of new orders, the System Parts segment recorded growth of 26.5%. Orders received by the Fineblanking Technology segment, which operates in the capital goods sector, decreased by a total of 13.3% owing to a reduction in internal orders from System Parts. However, the all-important third-party business gained 4.4% to CHF 19.5 million. Orders received by the Automation segment more than doubled to CHF 18.4 million in the third quarter.

From January to September 2013, orders received rose by 35.1% to CHF 401.4 million. Excluding the acquisition of forming specialist Herzing + Schroth and the disposal of IMA Automation Berlin, the growth in orders received amounted to considerable 24.1%.

Strong sales increase

Group sales in Q3 2013 increased by 8.1% year-on-year. Within this total, the System Parts segment increased its sales by 11.9% to CHF 94.2 million. This result can be attributed both to new orders and to the automotive sector's strong (though geographically uneven) performance. The Fineblanking Technology segment reported sales of CHF 23.2 million which represents 12.8% less than the prior-year figure. While intra-group orders fell sharply, third-party sales were virtually unchanged from the previous year. Sales in the Automation segment fell 5.9% to CHF 9.5 million.

Overall in the first nine months of the 2013 financial year, Feintool Group sales rose by 12.3% year-on-year to CHF 348.5 million. Excluding acquisition effects, the increase amounts to 2.9%.

Orders backlog at a high level

Compared to 30 September 2012, the orders backlog rose 17.5% to CHF 242.6 million. The increase since 31 December 2012 is an even more impressive 26.7%. In the Fineblanking Technology and Automation segments, Feintool has work in hand for six to eight months.

Cautiously optimistic outlook

For the full year, we still expect the level of business in the sector globally to remain stable overall. We anticipate group sales in the region of CHF 480 million and - owing to additional development costs and investment in new production start-ups - a slightly lower operating margin than in 2012.

Brief profile of Feintool

Feintool is the world's leading technology group specializing in the development of fineblanking systems and the production of ready-to-install fineblanking and forming components, notably for the automotive industry. The Group maintains close partnerships with its customers across the entire fineblanking and forming process - from component design, toolmaking and system construction through to large-scale series parts production. In addition to fineblanking, the Feintool Group also deploys other key processes such as precision forming and orbital technology, and is the world's only supplier of all-round solutions for the cost-effective manufacture of complex precision components. A further brand in its portfolio is IMA Automation - a leading manufacturer of automated assembly systems.

With its locations in Europe, Japan, China and the USA, Feintool Group is represented in the world's major automotive markets. Headquartered in Lyss, Switzerland, the Group has a headcount of just under 2000. At its various locations, Feintool provides training at any given time for about 100 young people in a number of skills (multiskilled mechanics, design engineers and commercial trades).

Key financial figures in brief

01.01.- 01.01.- 30.09.2013 30.09.2012 Figures in CHF Change in % in CHF m in CHF m Sales - Fineblanking Technology segment -4.0 70.2 73.1 - System Parts segment 22.2 264.9 216.8 - Automation segment -20.0 29.2 36.5 Feintool Group total 12.3 348.5 310.5 Orders received - Fineblanking Technology segment -15.3 71.6 84.5 - System Parts segment 48.9 302.6 203.2 - Automation segment 16.4 37.0 31.8 Feintool Group total 35.1 401.4 297.2 Change in % 01.07. - 30.09.2013 01.07. - 30.09.2012 Sales - Fineblanking Technology segment -12.8 23.2 26.6 - System Parts segment 11.9 94.2 84.2 - Automation segment -5.9 9.5 10.1 Feintool Group total 8.1 123.5 114.3 Orders received - Fineblanking Technology segment -13.3 24.2 27.9 - System Parts segment 26.5 86.5 68.4 - Automation segment 142.1 18.4 7.6 Feintool Group total 31.4 124.3 94.6 Change in % 30.09.2013 30.09.2012 Orders backlog - Fineblanking Technology segment -11.3 46.2 52.1 - System Parts segment 25.0 172.3 137.9 - Automation segment 9.7 34.0 31.0 Feintool Group total 17.5 242.6 206.5

Feintool International Holding AG

Industriering 8 - 3250 Lyss

Switzerland

Phone +41 32 387 51 11

www.feintool.com

Media spokesperson

Karin Labhart

Phone +41 32 387 51 57

Mobile +41 79 609 22 02

karin.labhart@feintool.com

The press release can be downloaded from the following link:

Press Release (PDF): http://hugin.info/100443/R/1737038/582269.pdf

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information contained therein.

Source: Feintool International Holding AG via Thomson Reuters ONE

HUG#1737038

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Feintool International Holding AG

Industriering 8 Lyss Schweiz

ISIN: CH0009320091;

http://www.feintool.com (END) Dow Jones Newswires

   October 22, 2013 01:00 ET (05:00 GMT)- - 01 00 AM EDT 10-22-13