PONSSE'S INTERIM REPORT FOR 1 JANUARY - 30 SEPTEMBER 2011

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PONSSE PLC, STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE, 25 OCTOBER 2011, 9:00 a.m.

PONSSE’S INTERIM REPORT FOR 1 JANUARY – 30 SEPTEMBER 2011

– Net sales amounted to EUR 225.5 (Q1–Q3/2010 171.8) million.

- Q3 net sales were EUR 72.3 (Q2/2008 54.7) million.

– Operating result totalled EUR 18.6 (Q1-Q3/2008 15.3) million, equalling 8.2 (8.9) per cent of net sales. The result includes a write-down of EUR 2.6 million on external trade receivables in South America.

– Q3 operating result was EUR 8.2 (Q2/2010 5.4) million, equalling 11.4 (10.0) per cent of net sales.

– Profit before taxes was EUR 14.1 (Q1-Q4/2009 16.7) million.

–  Cash flow from business operations was positive at EUR 5.7 (14.4) million.

–  Earnings per share were EUR 0.22 (0.59).

–  Equity ratio was 41.1 (42.9) per cent.

–  Order books stood at EUR 110.8 (77.4) million.

 

PRESIDENT AND CEO JUHO NUMMELA:

In the third quarter, the demand for forest machines was good despite the increase in economic uncertainty. At the end of the period under review, the company’s order books totalled EUR 110.8 (77.4) million, which is 43.1 per cent higher compared with the corresponding period. There were no problems with customer financing in the past quarter. 

During the third quarter, the Group’s net sales grew by 32 per cent compared with the corresponding period and stood at EUR 72.3 (54.7) million. Net sales for the period under review amounted to EUR 225.5 (171.8) million, representing a growth of 31.2 per cent compared with the corresponding period. The service business continued to show growth compared with the corresponding period.

The operating result was positive in the third quarter, amounting to EUR 8.2 (5.4) million. The operating result came to 11.4 per cent of net sales in the past quarter. Operating costs (staff costs, depreciation and amortisation and other operating costs), excluding the impairment losses related to trade receivables, showed a planned increase of 26.5 per cent during the period under review. The continuing improvement of profitability is clearly showing results.

During the period under review, cash flow from business operations was positive at EUR 5.7 (14.4) million. As business operations have grown, more capital has been tied up in inventories. The capital is mainly tied up in raw materials and consumables and new machines on their way to customers. The reduction in the departure days of domestic railway transportation hampered the implementation of deliveries and slowed down the logistics regarding new machines. In addition, exchange rate differences in the period under review affected profit, diminishing the cash flow.

The factory operated as planned during the period under review. The number of machines was increased temporarily through working hours arrangements, and it was possible to deliver machines from the factory normally. The availability of materials was good throughout the period. 

 

NET SALES

Consolidated net sales for the period under review amounted to EUR 225.5 (171.8) million, which was 31 per cent more than in the comparison period. International business operations accounted for 67.9 (68.7) per cent of net sales.

Net sales were regionally distributed as follows: Northern Europe 51.1 (50.6) per cent, Central and Southern Europe 19.2 (17.3) per cent, Russia and Asia 14.6 (11.5) per cent, North and South America 15.1 (20.5) per cent and other countries 0.0 (0.1) per cent.

 

PROFIT PERFORMANCE

The operating result amounted to EUR 18.6 (15.3) million. The operating result equalled 8.2 (8.9) per cent of net sales for the period under review. An impairment loss worth about EUR 2.6 million related to external trade receivables in South America was recognised as an expense during the period. Consolidated return on capital employed (ROCE) stood at 18.0 (20.9) per cent.

Staff costs for the period totalled EUR 35.9 (26.6) million, including an expense item of EUR 1.9 million, which included, among other things, a profit bonus paid to Group personnel. Other operating expenses stood at EUR 25.2 (18.8) million. The net total of financial income and expenses amounted to EUR -4.3 (1.7) million. Exchange rate gains and losses with a net effect of EUR -3.2 (2.5) million were recognised under financial items for the period. The impact of the Adjustment Board decisions concerning the taxation of the parent company for the period amounts to EUR -1.5 (1.5) million. Profit for the period under review totalled EUR 7.3 (17.8) million. Diluted and undiluted earnings per share (EPS) came to EUR 0.22 (0.59). The interest on the subordinated loan for the period, less tax, has been taken into account in the calculation of EPS.

 

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES

At the end of the period under review, the total consolidated statements of financial position amounted to EUR 177.0 (165.5) million. Inventories stood at EUR 88.3 (78.5) million. Trade receivables totalled EUR 32.6 (29.7) million, while liquid assets stood at EUR 8.5 (12.1) million. Group shareholders’ equity stood at EUR 71.8 (69.9) million and parent company shareholders’ equity at EUR 65.4 (55.0) million. Group shareholders’ equity includes a hybrid loan of EUR 19 million issued on 31 March 2009. The interest paid on the hybrid loan (EUR 5.7 million) and the allocated interest for the following year according to the dividend distribution decision (EUR 1.1 million), totalling EUR 6.8 million, less tax, are recognised as a deduction from Group equity. The amount of interest-bearing liabilities was EUR 45.9 (49.9) million. The company has used 21 per cent of its credit facility limit. The parent company's net receivables from other Group companies stood at EUR 72.0 (66.7) million. The parent company’s receivables from subsidiaries mainly consisted of trade receivables. Consolidated net liabilities totalled EUR 35.1 (35.2) million, and the debt-equity ratio (gearing) was 63.8 (71.5) per cent. The equity ratio stood at 41.1 (42.9) percent at the end of the period under review.

Cash flow from business operations amounted to EUR 5.7 (14.4) million. Cash flow from investment activities came to EUR -5.5 (-2.4) million.

 

ORDER INTAKE AND ORDER BOOKS

Order intake for the period totalled EUR 269.8 (229.7) million, while period-end order books were valued at EUR 110.8 (77.4) million. The minimum order commitments for retailers are not included in the order book total.

 

DISTRIBUTION NETWORK

No changes took place in the Group structure during the period under review.

The subsidiaries included in the Ponsse Group are: Epec Oy, Finland; OOO Ponsse, Russia; Ponsse AB, Sweden; Ponsse AS, Norway; Ponsse Asia-Pacific Ltd, Hong Kong; Ponsse China Ltd, China; Ponsse Latin America Ltda, Brazil; Ponsse North America, Inc., the United States; Ponssé S.A.S., France; Ponsse UK Ltd, the United Kingdom; and Ponsse Uruguay S.A., Uruguay. Sunit Oy, based in Kajaani, Finland, is an affiliated company in which Ponsse Oyj has a holding of 34 per cent.

 

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AND R&D

During the period under review, the Group’s R&D expenses totalled EUR 6.3 (4.1) million, of which EUR 1.8 (1.1) million was capitalised.

Capital expenditure totalled EUR 5.5 (2.4) million. It mainly consisted of ordinary maintenance and replacement investments for machinery and equipment.

 

MANAGEMENT

Sigurd Skotte (48), Master of Forestry, took up his post as the President and CEO of Ponsse AS on 1 September 2011. A separate release was issued on the appointment on 31 May 2011.

Clément Puybaret (30), forest engineer, took up his post as the President and CEO of Ponssé S.A.S. on 15 August 2011. A separate release was issued on the appointment on 14 June 2011.

 

PERSONNEL

The Group had an average staff of 936 (813) during the period and employed 970 (846) people at period-end.

 

SHARE PERFORMANCE

The company’s registered share capital consists of 28,000,000 shares. The trading volume of Ponsse Plc shares for 1 January – 30 September 2011 totalled 1,924,361, accounting for 6.9 per cent of the total number of shares. Share turnover amounted to EUR 19.4 million, with the period’s lowest and highest share prices amounting to EUR 5.85 and EUR 11.85, respectively.

At the end of the period, shares closed at EUR 7.15, and market capitalisation totalled EUR 200.2 million.

At the end of the period under review, the company held 212,900 treasury shares.

 

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

A separate release was issued on 12 April 2011 regarding the authorisations given to the Board of Directors and other resolutions at the AGM.

 

GOVERNANCE

In its decision-making and administration, the company observes the Finnish Limited Liability Companies Act, other regulations governing publicly listed companies and the company’s Articles of Association. The company’s Board of Directors has adopted the Code of Governance that complies with the Finnish Corporate Governance Code approved by the Board of the Securities Market Association in 2010. The purpose of the code is to ensure that the company is professionally managed and that its business principles and practices are of a high ethical and professional standard.

The Code of Governance is available on Ponsse’s website in the Investors section.

 

RISK MANAGEMENT

Risk management is based on the company’s values, as well as strategic and financial objectives. Risk management aims to support the achievement of the objectives specified in the company’s strategy, as well as to ensure the financial development of the company and the continuity of its business.

Furthermore, risk management aims to identify, assess and monitor business-related risks which may influence the achievement of the company’s strategic and financial goals or the continuity of its business. Decisions on the necessary measures to anticipate risks and react to observed risks are made on the basis of this information.

Risk management is a part of regular daily business, and it is also included in the management system. Risk management is controlled by the risk management policy approved by the Board.

A risk is any event that may prevent the company from reaching its objectives or that threatens the continuity of business. On the other hand, a risk may also be a positive event, in which case the risk is treated as an opportunity. Each risk is assessed on the basis of its impact and probability. Methods of risk management include avoiding, mitigating and transferring risks. Risks can also be managed by controlling and minimising their impact.

 

SHORT-TERM RISK MANAGEMENT

The rapid escalation of the problems in the economies of Europe and the United States in the financial market may have an impact on the availability of customer financing.

The parent company monitors the changes in the Group’s internal and external trade receivables and the associated risk of impairment.

The key objective of the company’s financial risk management policy is to manage liquidity, interest and currency risks. The company ensures its liquidity through credit limit facilities agreed with a number of financial institutions. The effect of adverse changes in interest rates is minimised by utilising credit linked to different reference rates and by concluding interest rate swaps. The negative effects of currency rate fluctuations are mitigated though derivative contracts.

Changes taking place in the fiscal and customs legislation in countries to which Ponsse exports may hamper the company’s export trade or its profitability.

 

OUTLOOK FOR THE FUTURE

Strong order books mean there will be positive development of the company’s business operations towards the end of 2011. The culmination of economic problems may have a rapid impact on the sales of new machines through problems in customer financing. The weakening of the economy may slow down the making of investment decisions on forest machines.

The profitability of the Group's business operations during the entire year is expected to develop positively and improve compared to 2010. Cash flow from business operations will amount to the same level as in 2010.

The factory and maintenance are operating at full capacity. The development of operating expenses will be monitored in an enhanced manner, and the investments for the end of the year will be implemented as planned.

 

PONSSE GROUP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (EUR 1,000)

 

 

    IFRS IFRS IFRS  
    1-9/11 1-9/10 1-12/10  
NET SALES 225,484 171,819 262,416  
Increase (+)/decrease (-) in inventories of finished goods and work in progress 9,918 6,561 476  
Other operating income   812 678 898  
Raw materials and services   -152,738 -114,572 -170,810  
Expenditure on employment-related benefits -35,870 -26,638 -38,243  
Depreciation and amortisation   -3,799 -3,806 -5,079  
Other operating expenses   -25,206 -18,790 -27,984  
OPERATING RESULT   18,600 15,252 21,674  
Share of results of associated companies -185 -232 5  
Financial income and expenses   -4,273 1,717 2,769  
RESULT BEFORE TAXES 14,142 16,738 24,448  
Income taxes   -6,860 1,052 -1,111  
NET RESULT FOR THE PERIOD   7,282 17,790 23,338  
           
OTHER ITEMS INCLUDED IN TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE RESULT:          
Translation differences related to foreign units -157 -654 -904  
           
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE RESULT FOR THE PERIOD 7,125 17,136 22,434  
           
         
Diluted and undiluted earnings per share (* 0.22 0.59 0.78  
           
    IFRS IFRS    
    7-9/11 7-9/10    
NET SALES   72,278 54,705    
Increase (+)/decrease (-) in inventories of finished goods and work in progress 2,975 2,198    
Other operating income   375 176    
Raw materials and services   -48,842 -35 530    
Expenditure on employment-related benefits -10,499 -8,328    
Depreciation and amortisation   -1,246 -1,277    
Other operating expenses   -6,818 -6,500    
OPERATING RESULT   8,222 5,443    
Share of results of associated companies -42 -131    
Financial income and expenses   -1,003 -3,443    
RESULT BEFORE TAXES 7,177 1,870    
Income taxes   -2,526 -610    
NET RESULT FOR THE PERIOD   4,651 1,260    
           
OTHER ITEMS INCLUDED IN TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE RESULT:          
Translation differences related to foreign units -493 687    
           
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE RESULT FOR THE PERIOD 4,158 1,947    
           
         
Diluted and undiluted earnings per share (* 0.16 0.03    
           

 (* The interest on the subordinated loan for the period, less tax, was taken into account in this figure.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION (EUR 1,000)

 

  IFRS IFRS
ASSETS 30.9.11 31.12.10
NON-CURRENT ASSETS    
Intangible assets 8,138 6,571
Goodwill 3,440 3,440
Property, plant and equipment 24,596 24,443
Financial assets 111 111
Investments in associated companies 1,290 1,625
Non-current receivables 1,724 3,144
Deferred tax assets 2,759 1,712
TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS 42,059 41,045
     
CURRENT ASSETS    
Inventories 88,297 72,391
Trade receivables 32,333 32,125
Income tax receivables 655 623
Other current receivables 5,178 4,483
Cash and cash equivalents 8,492 11,036
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 134,955 120,659
     
TOTAL ASSETS 177,015 161,704
     
     
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND LIABILITIES    
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY    
Share capital 7,000 7,000
Other reserves 19,030 19,030
Translation differences -1,189 -1,032
Treasury shares -2,228 -2,228
Retained earnings 49,226 52,396
EQUITY OWNED    
BY PARENT COMPANY SHAREHOLDERS 71,839 75,166
     
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES    
Interest-bearing liabilities 28,557 16,155
Deferred tax liabilities 153 469
Other non-current liabilities 27 128
TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 28,737 16,752
     
CURRENT LIABILITIES    
Interest-bearing liabilities 17,308 20,603
Provisions 4,842 4,706
Tax liabilities for the period 2,251 215
Trade creditors and other current liabilities 52,038 44,263
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 76,438 69,787
     
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 177,015 161,704

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (EUR 1,000)

 

    IFRS IFRS  
    1-9/11 1-9/10  
CASH FLOW FROM BUSINESS OPERATIONS:        
Net result for the period   7,282 18,010  
Adjustments:        
Financial income and expenses   4,273 -1,717  

 

Share of the result of associated companies 185 232  
Depreciation and amortisation   3,799 3,806  
Income taxes   7,298 -589  
Other adjustments   -47 4  
Cash flow before changes in working capital 22 791 19,746  
         
Change in working capital:        
Change in trade receivables and other receivables 289 -8,122  
Change in inventories   -15,906 -11,519  
Change in trade creditors and other liabilities 7,885 13,263  
Change in provisions for liabilities and charges   136 -835  
Interest received   134 373  
Interest paid   -853 -805  
Other financial items   -3,434 2,342  
Income taxes paid   -5,294 -31  
NET CASH FLOW FROM BUSINESS OPERATIONS (A)   5,747 14,411  
         
CASH FLOW FROM INVESTMENTS        
Investments in tangible and intangible assets -5,521 -2,437  
Investments in other assets 0 0  
Repayment of loan receivables   0 0  
Dividends received   0 0  
CASH OUTFLOW FROM INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES (B)   -5,521 -2,437  
         
FINANCING        
Acquisition of treasury shares   0 -1,564  
Hybrid loan   0 0  
Interest paid, hybrid loan   -2,280 -2,280  
Withdrawal/Repayment of non-current loans -463 -1,940  
Change in current interest-bearing liabilities 78 73  
Withdrawal/Repayment of non-current loans 9,873 96  
Payment of finance lease liabilities -403 -505  
Change in non-current receivables 150 -140  
Dividends paid   -9,725 -4,193  
NET CASH OUTFLOW FROM FINANCING (C)   -2,771 -10,454  
         
Change in cash and cash equivalents (A+B+C)   -2,545 -1,521  
         
Cash and cash equivalents on 1 January   11,036 10,626  
Cash and cash equivalents on 30 September   8,492 12,147  

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (EUR 1,000)

 

A = Share capital            
B = Share premium and other reserves          
C = Translation differences            
D = Treasury shares          
E = Retained earnings
F = Total shareholders’ equity  
 
         
  EQUITY OWNED BY PARENT COMPANY SHAREHOLDERS
  A B C D E F
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY 1 JAN 2011 7,000 19,030 -1,032 -2,228 52,396 75,166
Adjustment for previous periods regarding the hybrid loan interest         960 960
Adjusted shareholders’ equity 1 Jan 2011 7,000 19,030 -1,032 -2,228 53,356 76,126
Translation differences     -157     -157
Result for the period         7,282 7,282
Total comprehensive income for the period     -157   7,282 7,125
Direct entries to retained earnings *)         -1,687 -1,687
Dividend distribution         -9,725 -9,725
Purchase of treasury shares           0
Other changes           0
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 30 SEP 2010 7,000 19,030 -1,189 -2,228 49,226 71,839
             
             
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY 1 JAN 2010 7,000 19,030 -128 ,-665 34,329 59,566
Translation differences     -654     -654
Result for the period         17,790 17,790
Total comprehensive income for the period     -654   17,790 17,136
Direct entries to retained earnings *)         -1,078 -1,078
Dividend distribution         -4,193 -4,193
Purchase of treasury shares       -1,563   -1,563
Other changes           0
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 30 SEP 2010 7,000 19,030 -782 -2,228 46,848 69,868
*) Consists of the interest paid for the hybrid loan classified as equity.
                   

 

 


 
    30.9.11 30.9.10 31.12.10
1. LEASING COMMITMENTS (EUR 1,000)     4,323 5,224 4,991

 

 

2. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (EUR 1,000)   30.9.11 30.9.10 31.12.10
Guarantees given on behalf of others     857 684 425
Repurchase commitments     1,841 3,280 2,501
Other commitments     4,249 1,964 2,659
TOTAL     6,947 5,928 5,585

 

 

3. PROVISIONS (EUR 1,000)     Guarantee provision  
1 January 2011     4,706    
Provisions added     770    
Provisions cancelled     -635    
30 September 2011     4,842    

 

 

KEY FIGURES AND RATIOS     30.9.11 30.9.10 31.12.10
R&D expenditure, MEUR   6.3 4.1 5.9
Capital expenditure, MEUR 5.5 2.4 4.8
as % of net sales     2.4 1.4 1.8
Average number of employees     936 813 825
Order books, MEUR     110.8 77.4 68.3
Equity ratio, %     41.1 42.9 46.9
Diluted and undiluted earnings per share (EUR) 0.22 0.59 0.78
Equity per share (EUR)     2.56 2.50 2.68

 

 

FORMULAE FOR FINANCIAL INDICATORS

 

Average number of employees:

Average of the number of personnel at the end of each month. The calculation has been adjusted for part-time employees.

 

Equity ratio, %:

Shareholders’ equity + Non-controlling interests

---------------------------------------------

Balance sheet total - advance payments received * 100

 

Earnings per share:

Net income for the period - Non-controlling interests - Interest on hybrid loan for the period less tax

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Average number of shares during the accounting period, adjusted for share issues

 

Equity per share:

Shareholders’ equity

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Number of shares on the balance sheet date, adjusted for share issues

 

 

 

ORDER INTAKE, MEUR     1-9/11 1-9/10 1-12/10
Ponsse Group     269.8 229.7 311.2

 

 

The interim report has been prepared observing the recognition and valuation principles of IFRS standards, but not all of the requirements of IAS 34, Interim Financial Reporting, have been complied with. The same accounting principles were observed for the interim report as for the annual financial statements dated 31 December 2010, with the exception, however, that the following new standards, interpretations and amendments adopted by the EU were introduced from 1 January 2011: IAS 24 (revised) – Related Party Disclosures; IAS 32 (amendment) – Classification of Rights Issue; IFRIC 19 – Extinguishing Financial Liabilities with Equity Instruments; and IFRIC 14 (amendment) – Prepayments of a Minimum Funding Requirement.

 

These new standards, interpretations and amendments have no impact on the Group’s interim report.

 

In July 2010, the IASB published improvements to seven standards or interpretations as part of its annual improvements. The Group will adopt the amendments, after EU approval, in its financial statements for 2011: IFRS 3 (amendment) – Business Combinations; IFRS 7 (amendment) – Financial Instruments: Disclosures; IAS 1 (amendment) – Presentation of Financial Statements; IAS 27 (amendment) – Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements; IAS 34 (amendment) – Interim Financial Reporting; IFRIC 13: Customer Loyalty Programmes; IFRS 9 – Classification and measurement of financial assets and liabilities; IAS 12 (amendment) – Deferred taxes; these improvements may have an impact on the consolidated interim reports.

 

The above figures have not been audited.

 

The above figures have been rounded and may therefore differ from those given in the official financial statements.

 

This communication includes future-oriented statements that are based on the assumptions currently made by the company’s management and its current decisions and plans. Although the management believes that the future expectations are well founded, there is no certainty that these expectations will prove to be correct. This is why the results may significantly deviate from the assumptions included in the future-oriented statements as a result of, among other things, changes in the economy, markets, competitive conditions, legislation or currency exchange rates.

 

Vieremä, 25 October 2011

 

PONSSE PLC

 

Juho Nummela

President and CEO

 

 

FURTHER INFORMATION

Juho Nummela, President and CEO, tel. +358 20 768 8914 or +358 400 495 690

Petri Härkönen, CFO, tel. +358 20 768 8608 or +358 50 409 8362

 

DISTRIBUTION

NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd

Principal media

www.ponsse.com

 

Ponsse Plc is a company specialising in the sales, manufacture, servicing and technology of cut-to-length method forest machines and is driven by genuine interest in its customers and their business. Ponsse develops and manufactures sustainable and innovative harvesting solutions based on customers’ needs.                                                                  

The company was established by forest machine entrepreneur Einari Vidgrén in 1970, and it has been a leader in timber harvesting solutions based on the cut-to-length method ever since. Ponsse is headquartered in Vieremä, Finland. The company’s shares are quoted on the NASDAQ OMX Nordic List.