Positive end to the Group’s best year to date
Group
In general, Beijer Alma’s operations in the Nordic region, Europe, USA and Asia continued to experience strong demand with the exception of Germany and China, where a slowdown was noted.
Cost adjustments are therefore being made in the relevant units.
Order bookings increased 3 percent during the quarter, net revenues 7 percent and earnings just over 2 percent. Order bookings from industrial customers in the Nordic region, which impact all of our subsidiaries, were strong. The defense industry performed particularly well during the quarter. Cash flow declined as a result of a high rate of investment intended to boost the capacity for expansion throughout the Group.
Overall, demand was more varied than usual during the fourth quarter. In total, the full year 2018 marked a period of profitable growth for Beijer Alma. Profit before tax increased 18 percent to MSEK 609 (517).
Subsidiaries
Within Lesjöfors, the trend in Industrial Springs remained strong and invoicing grew 8 percent. Excluding the specific effect of the automotive industry in Germany, growth amounted to 14 percent. On a positive note, a large share of new sales was reported in certain countries, including China and the UK. For Chassis Springs, the fourth quarter is a low period.
Within Habia, order bookings remained strong in Other Industry, while Telecom experienced a calmer quarter, as expected. The preparations for and start-up of offshore cable production was a key focus at the plant in Söderfors.
Within Beijer Tech, Fluid Technology displayed particularly favorable growth, partly due to the manufacturing units Svebab and Packningar & Plast.
Acquisitions
In December, the Group announced the acquisition of Uudenmaan Murskaus, a small business that will provide an excellent complement to Beijer Tech’s Finnish operations. Takeover occurred in January.
Henrik Perbeck, President and CEO
If you have any questions, please contact:
Henrik Perbeck, President and CEO, Telephone +46 18 15 71 60, henrik.perbeck@beijeralma.se
Jan Blomén, Chief Financial Officer, Telephone +46 18 15 71 60, jan.blomen@beijeralma.se
This information is information that Beijer Alma AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and the Securities Markets Act. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact persons set out above, at 12:30 p.m. on February 13, 2019.
Beijer Alma AB (publ) is an international industrial group that focuses on component production and industrial supplies. The Group includes Lesjöfors, one of Europe’s largest spring manufacturers, Habia Cable, one of Europe’s largest manufacturers of custom-designed cables and Beijer Tech, with strong positions in industrial supplies in the Nordic region. Beijer Alma is listed on NASDAQ OMX Stockholm Mid Cap.
Beijer Alma AB (publ)
Dragarbrunnsgatan 45, Box 1747, SE-751 47 Uppsala, Sweden. Telephone 46 18 15 71 60.
Registered office: Uppsala. Corp. Reg. No: 556229-7480. www.beijeralma.se