Exel Oyj's Interim Report, January 1 - September 30, 2004

Exel Oyj's Interim Report, January 1 - September 30, 2004 EXEL OYJ STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 2.11.2004 at 11 a.m. EXEL OYJ'S INTERIM REPORT, JANUARY 1 - SEPTEMBER 30, 2004 STRONG POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT CONTINUED Demand for Exel Group's specialty products continued to be strong in the third quarter of 2004 and the consolidated net sales in January-September 2004 increased by 57% to EUR 64.1 million. Operating profit improved significantly by 159% to EUR 10.0 million. Highlights of result: - Sales from January-September continued their strong increase and totalled EUR 64.1 million (40.8), an increase of 57% - Strong growth continued in the third quarter, with sales of EUR 20.4 million (14.8), up 38% - The Industry division's nets sales increased by 81% to EUR 36.7 (20.2) million - Operating profit from January-September continued to grow substantially, totalling EUR 10.0 million (3.9), a growth of 159% - Growth in the third quarter was also profitable and operating profit grew by 70% to EUR 3.2 million (1.9) - The development of sales and profits continue to look strong for the rest of the year Operating environment The demand for specialty products, in particular carbon-fibre-based profiles and products belonging to Exel's Nordic Fitness SportsTM (NFS) concept, has continued to be strong in Central Europe, Exel's main market. Exel expects this trend to continue in the near future. No significant changes have occurred among the main competitors and, due to the strong growth, Exel has further strengthened its market share in the pultrusion market. The Far East will be increasingly significant, both as a new market area and as a production location of goods of the Group's existing customers. Exel has started analyzing the potential for establishing a production facility in China. The long-term intention is to increase Exel's market share in this emerging market. Investment in new capacity in China will inevitably have short-term cost effects. The raw material markets are in a state of flux. Suppliers have suggested significant price increases on many of our key raw materials, justified by the strong increase in the price of oil and other cost factors. Exel aims to minimize the cost effects of raw materials by utilizing new raw material sources and increasing the efficiency of its purchasing policies. Industry division The Industry division's net sales January - September 2004 increased by 81% and totalled EUR 36.7 million (20.2). The division's sales grew due to the addition of a new production facility in Belgium (roughly EUR 6.6 million) and strong growth in the specialty profiles market, mainly from new customer applications. Profits also developed well as operating profit increased to EUR 5.6 (2.2) million, an increase of 157% on the corresponding period previous year. The profit improvement is due to sales volume growth, improved production efficiency and good capacity utilization. However, keen price competition continues in the marketplace. Product development projects continue in the profiles product group, mainly in relation to automotive applications, infrastructure construction and wind power. From an annual perspective, the antenna profile markets have been growing. In the first half of the third quarter deliveries were at a slightly lower level than in the first half of the year. The pressure on the margins continues to be tough. According to telecom network builders, the market will continue to grow slightly during the rest of the year. Sales of paper machine profiles continued to increase during the third quarter. The commercial stage of a number of new profile applications has commenced. The sales of lattice masts continued at a strong level, and 2004 will be a record year for the lattice mast business. Demand is expected to be maintained at a high level also after the turn of the year, as the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) frangibility regulations will take effect in 2005. The regulations require airport lighting system support masts to be breakable upon possible impact. The integration of Bekaert's pultrusion business acquired in January 2004 is progressing in both Belgium and Spain. The development of a number of significant transportation equipment industry applications has been completed, and their commercial stage will begin in early 2005. Sport division The net sales of the Sport division during January-September 2004 totalled EUR 27.4 million (20.5), an increase of 34% on the corresponding period previous year. Profits continued to develop favourably, and the operating profit was EUR 4.4 million (1.7), an increase of 162% on the corresponding period last year. A substantial proportion of the third quarter's sales consisted of conventional product categories such as cross-country ski poles and floorball products - two categories in which Exel has managed to retain a good market share and profitability, even though competition has intensified. The NFS, and particularly the Nordic Walking market in German-speaking Central Europe, continued its growth in the third quarter. This strong market growth already began in the third quarter of 2003. Exel's market share has remained very solid within the product category. Exel continues its strong marketing efforts to develop the concept in new countries. These efforts currently affect the Sport division's profitability. Floorball sales in Exel's main markets, i.e. Finland, Sweden and Switzerland, have also remained at last year's level. The total market has not increased, but Exel has managed to retain its strong market shares. Laminate sales have remained at the previous year's level, and Exel continues to seek new growth in applications outside the sports equipment industry. In water sports, Exel has managed to retain its share of the wind surfing masts market, but the overall market continues to shrink worldwide. Net sales and profits Consolidated net sales increased by 57% compared with the same period last year. Net sales growth by business division was as follows: Net sales (EUR million) 1-9/2004 1-9/2003 Change Industry 36.7 20.2 81.1% Sport 27.4 20.5 33.6% Total 64.1 40.8 57.2% Consolidated operating profit totalled EUR 10.0 (3.9) million. Growth in the operating profit was as follows: Operating profit (EUR million) 1-9/2004 1-9/2003 Change Industry 5.6 2.2 156.8% Sport 4.4 1.7 162.1% Total 10.0 3.9 159.1% The profit improvement was mainly due to increased sales volumes, good capacity utilization and improved production efficiency in both business divisions. Net financial expenses Net financial expenses totalled EUR 297,000 (339,000). Despite the expansion in working capital, which was the result of the growth in sales, and the acquisition of Bekaert's pultrusion operations, it was possible to reduce net financial expenses due to the strong cash flow from operations and the loan repayment programme. Balance sheet, funding and liabilities The balance sheet total stood at EUR 43.6 million (34.4) on September 30, 2004. The acquisition of Bekaert's pultrusion operations contributed roughly EUR 7.2 million to this increase, with the rest being accounted for by the working capital requirements of strong net sales growth. Interest-bearing net liabilities increased to EUR 10.4 million (7.8) due to the acquisition. Total liabilities remained roughly unchanged. Investments The Group's investments in fixed assets totalled EUR 4.9 million (1.4), of which the acquisition of Bekaert's pultrusion operations accounted for EUR 2.6 million (total acquisition price approx. EUR 7.2 million). Projects to expand capacity in the Sport division (Nordic Walking products) and to automate production are underway. A new production line was completed in the first half of the year at Exel's Kiihtelysvaara factory and a decision to build a second line has been made. Capital expenditure on the above capacity expansions is estimated to total approx. EUR 3.0 million in 2004. Personnel The number of personnel on September 30, 2004 was 420 (342). The increase was caused by the integration of Bekaert's pultrusion operations into the Group (some 50 persons) and additional labour needs at Finnish factories (some 20 persons) and at German factories (some 10 persons) due to higher production volumes. Shares and share ownership Exel Oyj's share capital totals EUR 1,884,120, and consists of 5,383,200 shares each with a nominal value of EUR 0.35. The members of the Board of Directors and the President hold 98,100 shares, or 1.8% of the share capital. Trading on the Helsinki Exchanges during the review period amounted to 48.5% % of all shares. During the period the highest share price quoted was EUR 23.95, and the lowest EUR 11.75. The closing price for the period was EUR 23.80. Market capitalization was EUR 128.1 million on September 30, 2004. Decisions of the Extraordinary General Meeting The Extraordinary General Meeting held on September 15, 2004 decided that an extra dividend of EUR 0.50 per share be paid for the financial period which ended on December 31, 2003. IFRS reporting Exel will adopt IFRS reporting standards from the beginning of 2005. Preparations have proceeded as planned. Outlook for the rest of 2004 The positive sales development during January-September is expected to continue during the rest of the year. Demand for profiles and Nordic Walking products is expected to remain high for the rest of the year. The integration of the Belgium operations into the Group is progressing as planned, but will still require some resources. There are upward pressures on raw materials prices. The profit development continues to look strong for the rest of the year. Mäntyharju, November 2, 2004 Exel Oyj Board of Directors Ari Jokelainen President & CEO Additional information: Ari Jokelainen, President, Exel Oyj, tel. +358 50 590 6570 ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2004/11/02/20041102BIT20100/wkr0010.pdf