OREANDA-NEWS. In 2014, the Oerlikon Group sustained its strong operational performance and reported another year of growth. Sales increased by 16.1 % to CHF 3 215 million, driven by organic and inorganic growth (2013 restated: CHF 2 770 million). At constant exchange rates, sales growth was even higher at 18.1 %. The service and spare parts business grew to 28.5 % of total Group sales compared to 24.7 % a year ago. Order intake grew by 9.0 % to CHF 3 028 million (2013 restated: CHF 2 779 million). Recording an EBITDA margin of 16.3 % and EBIT margin of 11.2 %, the Group achieved for the fourth consecutive year an EBITDA margin exceeding 15 % and a double-digit EBIT-margin, even after absorbing the one-time integration and acquisition accounting effects from the Metco transaction. Net income, impacted by the acquisition of Metco and the divestment of the Advanced Technologies Segment, stood at CHF 202 million, around prior-year level (2013: CHF 201 million). With an equity ratio of 44 % and net liquidity of CHF 114 million, Oerlikon’s financial position remains strong. A healthy balance sheet and underlying cash flow as well as the competitive operating performance led to the Board’s decision to propose a dividend increase of 11 % to CHF 0.30 per share at the annual general meeting of shareholders (AGM). Oerlikon CEO Dr. Brice Koch said: “In 2014, we continued to deliver a strong operational performance with profitable growth, both organically and inorganically. With the successful acquisition of Metco and the announced sale of the Advanced Technologies Segment, we further focused our portfolio. For 2015, at constant exchange rates, we expect to grow our top line further while sustaining strong underlying profitability.”

Growth in orders and sales

The Group’s sales increased by 16.1% to CHF 3 215 million (2013 restated: CHF 2770 million), while order intake went up by 9.0% to CHF 3028 million (2013 restated: CHF2779million). Sales increased in the Surface Solutions Segment and the Drive Systems Segment, while the Manmade Fibers Segment and the Vacuum Segment saw slightly lower sales due to the anticipated market normalization and order delays respectively. The service business grew by 34.3% in 2014, now representing 28.5% of total Group sales.

The split of regional sales continued to balance out, with sales in North America growing by 31% to CHF 632 (19.7% of Group sales), in Europe by 24% to CHF1161million (36.1% of Group sales) and in Asia by 4% to CHF 1266 million (39.4% of the Group’s total sales). The share of the other regions in Group sales was CHF156million or 4.8%.

Sustained profitability levels

For the fourth consecutive year, the Group has achieved an EBITDA margin exceeding 15% and a double-digit EBIT margin, even after absorbing the one-time integration and acquisition accounting effects from the Metco transaction. The EBITDA margin reached 16.3% and the EBIT margin 11.2%. EBITDA increased by 8.7% to CHF 525 million (2013 restated: CHF 483 million), while EBIT increased slightly to CHF 360 million (2013 restated: CHF 359 million). The Group’s result from continuing operations amounted to CHF247million (2013 restated: CHF 253 million), after accounting for the divestment of the Advanced Technologies Segment. Net income for the Oerlikon Group was CHF202million (2013: CHF201million), in line with the prior-year level.

Cash flow from operating activities before changes in net current assets was strong at CHF427million, and the Group’s return on capital employed (ROCE) stood at 10.4% as a result of an increased asset base due to the acquisition of Metco and with seven months of Metco profitability being recognized in Net Operating Profit After Tax.

Successful strategic portfolio transformation

In 2014, Oerlikon continued its strategic portfolio transformation by taking its tenth and eleventh steps with the acquisition of Metco and the signed divestment of the Advanced Technologies Segment respectively. With Metco, Oerlikon substantially strengthened its surface solutions business, creating a global technology leader in surface solutions with an addressable market of some CHF 9 billion (previously CHF3billion). The newly formed Surface Solutions Segment – combining both Oerlikon Balzers and Oerlikon Metco brands – operates in 35 countries over 145 sites, of which around 140 are service and production centers. It offers an attractive platform to grow and outperform the individual end markets in which it operates (CAGR of underlying markets 4–6%). The transaction and first time consolidation of Metco created significant cash and noncash impacts – some of them being one-time effects – in the 2014 consolidated income statement, which impacted the profitability of the Surface Solutions Segment and the Oerlikon Group. The divestment of the Advanced Technologies Segment was announced in December 2014 and closed on February 2, 2015. It allows the Group to concentrate its resources and focus on businesses of critical size. The Advanced Technologies Segment is reported under “Discontinued Operations” in the 2014 full-year financial statements and the 2013 accounts have been restated accordingly for comparison purposes.

Financial flexibility maintained

In 2014, Oerlikon took several measures to extend the Group’s maturity profile and increase its financial flexibility. The company successfully placed senior unsecured bonds of CHF 300 million due in 2019 and of CHF 150 million due in 2024. Additionally, the Group prolonged its syndicated credit facility until 2016. Oerlikon’s successful financing confirmed its access to the capital markets and reflects the financial markets’ confidence in the Group’s long-term underlying performance. This strong financial foundation allows Oerlikon to further develop its portfolio along its strategic agenda of achieving long-term profitable growth.

In 2014, Oerlikon maintained a strong financial position. The balance sheet amounted to CHF 4966 million compared to CHF 4 094 million in 2013 and the Group reported equity (attributable to shareholders of the parent company) of CHF 2 188 million, representing an equity ratio of 44 %. Net cash amounted to CHF 114 million (2013: CHF 981 million).

Expanding customer services

In 2014, Oerlikon continued to extend its global network and expanded its customer services and spare parts business. Compared to 2013, the service business increased by 34.3%, accounting for 28.5 % of the Group’s total sales in 2014.

Ongoing strong investments in R&D

Oerlikon continued to invest in innovation to further strengthen its leading technology position. Research and development (R&D) expenditure in 2014 increased by 19.8% to CHF121million from CHF 101 million (restated) a year ago, representing around 4% of its revenue. The innovations arising from R&D activities are reflected in 108 newly filed patents in 2014.

Q4 performance – growth in order intake and sales

For Q4 2014, the Oerlikon Group reported an increase in order intake of 15.9 % to CHF 801 million (Q4 2013 restated: CHF 691 million) and sales growth of 25.4 % to CHF 873 million, compared to CHF 696 million in Q4 2013 (restated). The EBITDA margin was at 15.5% (Q4 2014 EBITDA: CHF 136 million) and an EBIT margin was at 10.0% (Q4 2014 EBIT: CHF 88 million).

Dividend increase proposed

With an unleveraged balance sheet, a strong underlying cash flow and a sustained competitive operational performance, the Board of Directors will propose an increase in dividends, representing a payout of CHF 0.30 per share at the annual general meeting of shareholders (AGM), scheduled to take place on April 8, 2015. This represents the third consecutive increase and is in line with the Group’s dividend payout policy. The dividend will be distributed from the capital contribution reserves.

Based on prior track record, the Board of Directors has approved a change in the dividend policy of the Group, which now states that a dividend of up to 50% of underlying net income can be paid, subject to available funds (previously up to 40 %). The new dividend policy reflects the sustainability of Oerlikon’s business model, its underlying operational performance, cash-generation ability and leading peer group standing.