PONSSE'S INTERIM REPORT FOR 1 JANUARY – 30 SEPTEMBER 2012

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PONSSE PLC STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 23 OCTOBER 2012 AT 9:00 A.M.

 

PONSSE'S INTERIM REPORT FOR 1 JANUARY – 30 SEPTEMBER 2012

 

– Net sales amounted to EUR 217.7 (Q1-Q3/2011 225.5) million.

– Q3 net sales were EUR 66.6 (Q3/2011 72.3) million.

– Operating result totalled EUR 15.7 (Q1-Q3/2011 18.6)) million, equalling 7.2 (8.2) per cent of net sales.

– Q3 operating result was EUR 5.0 (Q3/2011 8.2) million, equalling 7,5 (11.4) per cent of net sales.

– Profit before taxes was EUR 13.9 (Q1-Q3/2011 14.1) million.

– Cash flow from business operations was EUR -0.2 (9.3) million.

– Earnings per share were EUR 0.29 (0.22).

– Equity ratio was 40.3 (41.1) per cent.

– Order books stood at EUR 62.5 (110.8) million.

– Group’s euro-denominated operating profit for the year 2012 is expected to remain smaller than in 2011. The earlier profitability management for 2012 expected the Group’s euro-denominated operating profit to remain at the same level as in 2011.

 

PRESIDENT AND CEO JUHO NUMMELA:

The economic uncertainty affected the demand for forest machines during the past period. The active trade fair season momentarily improved the situation and enabled maintaining normal order books. At period end, the company’s order books amounted to EUR 62.5 (110.8) million, which was 43.6 per cent less than in the exceptionally good comparison period. Forest machines continued to be manufactured in two shifts according to normal plan.

Net sales of the past quarter were EUR 66.6 (72.3) million, representing a change of -7.9 per cent compared with the comparison period. Service business has slightly decreased. Net sales of the period under review were EUR 217.7 million, which is 3.5 per cent smaller than in the comparison period. Despite the challenging market situation, net sales have remained at a planned level.

The operating result amounted to EUR 5.0 (8.2) million during the third quarter, equalling 7.5 (11.4) per cent of net sales. The operating result for the period under review amounted to EUR 15.7 (18.6) million.

Cash flow from business operations amounted to EUR -0.2 (9.3) million during the period under review. The stock of new products consisted of machines on their way to customers and was at a normal level. The stock of trade-in machines was at a higher level than planned.

The investments in the Iisalmi logistics centre and the service centres in Pitkäranta, Russia, and Jyväskylä, Finland, are progressing as planned.

 

NET SALES

Consolidated net sales for the period under review amounted to EUR 217.7 (225.5) million, i.e. 3.5 per cent less than in the comparison period. International business operations accounted for 66.5 (67.9) per cent of total net sales.

Net sales were regionally distributed as follows: Northern Europe 54.5 (51.1) per cent, Central and Southern Europe 17.9 (19.2) per cent, Russia and Asia 13.5 (14.6) per cent, North and South America 14.0 (15.1) per cent and other countries 0.0 (0.0) per cent.

 

PROFIT PERFORMANCE

The operating result was EUR 15.7 (18.6) million. The operating result of the comparison period includes a non-recurring cost item of EUR 2.6 million. The operating result percentage equals 7.2 (8.2) per cent of net sales in the period under review. Consolidated return on capital employed (ROCE) stood at 16.3 (18.0) per cent.

Staff costs for the period under review totalled EUR 37.0 (35.9) million. Other operating expenses were EUR 22.6 (25.2) million. The net total of financial income and expenses was EUR -1.8 (-4.3) million. Exchange rate gains and losses due to currency rate fluctuations were recognised under financial items, and their net impact during the period under review totalled EUR -0.6 (-3.2) million. Profit for the period totalled EUR 9.3 (7.3) million. Diluted and undiluted earnings per share (EPS) were EUR 0.29 (0.22). 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 of consolidated statements of financial position amounted to EUR 191.7 (177.0) million. Inventories stood at EUR 97.9 (88.3) million. Trade receivables totalled EUR 24.5 (32.6) million, while liquid assets stood at EUR 10.9 (8.5) million. Group shareholders’ equity stood at EUR 76.1 (71.8) million and parent company shareholders’ equity at EUR 76.4 (65.4) 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 8.0 million) and the allocated interest for the following year according to the dividend distribution decision (EUR 1.1 million), totalling EUR 9.1 million, less tax, are recognised as a deduction from Group equity. The amount of interest-bearing liabilities was EUR 57.1 (45.9) million. The company has used 48 per cent of its credit facility limit. The parent company’s net receivables from other Group companies stood at EUR 80.1 (72.0) million. The parent company’s receivables from subsidiaries mainly consisted of trade receivables. Consolidated net liabilities totalled EUR 46.1 (37.4) million, and the debt-equity ratio (gearing) was 74.9 (63.8) per cent. The equity ratio stood at 40.3 (41.1) per cent at the end of the period under review.

Cash flow from business operations amounted to EUR -0.2 (9.3) million. Cash flow from investment activities amounted to EUR -10.6 (-5.5) million.

 

ORDER INTAKE AND ORDER BOOKS

Order intake for the period under review totalled EUR 209.4 (269.8) million, while the period-end order books stood at EUR 62.5 (110.8) million.

 

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., United States; Ponssé S.A.S., France; Ponsse UK Ltd, United Kingdom; and Ponsse Uruguay S.A., Uruguay. Sunit Oy, based in Kajaani, Finland, is an affiliated company in which Ponsse Plc 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 6.8 (6.3) million, of which EUR 2.0 (1.8) million was capitalised.

Capital expenditure totalled EUR 10.6 (5.5) million. It consisted in addition to capitalised R&D expenses of ordinary maintenance and replacement investments of machinery and equipment and investments in buildings.

 

MANAGEMENT

The following persons were members of the Management Team: Juho Nummela, President and CEO, acting as the chairman; Pasi Arajärvi, Purchasing and Logistics Director; Juha Haverinen, Factory Director; Petri Härkönen, CFO; Juha Inberg, Technology and R&D Director; Timo Karppinen, Executive Director, Corporate Development and Strategy; Tapio Mertanen, Service Director; Paula Oksman, HR Director and Jarmo Vidgrén, Deputy CEO, Sales and Marketing Director. The company management has regular management liability insurance.

The area director organisation of sales is lead by Jarmo Vidgrén, Group’s Sales and Marketing Director and Tapio Mertanen, Service Director. The geographical distribution and the responsible persons are presented below:
 

Northern Europe: Jarmo Vidgrén (Finland), Eero Lukkarinen (Sweden, Denmark) and Sigurd Skotte (Norway),

Central and Southern Europe: Janne Vidgrén (Austria, Poland, Romania, Germany, the Czech Republic and Hungary), Clément Puybaret (France), Jussi Hentunen (Spain, Italy, Portugal and Norrbotten/Sweden) and Gary Glendinning (the United Kingdom),

Russia and Asia: Jaakko Laurila (Russia, Belarus), Norbert Schalkx (Japan and the Baltic countries) and Risto Kääriäinen (China),

North and South America: Pekka Ruuskanen (the United States) Marko Mattila (North American dealers), Teemu Raitis (Brazil) and Martin Toledo (Uruguay).

 

PERSONNEL

The Group had an average staff of 996 (938) during the period under review and employed 989 (974) people at the end of the period under review.

 

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 2012 totalled 982,569 shares, accounting for 3.5 per cent of the total number of shares. Share net sales came to EUR 7.4 million, with the period’s lowest and highest share prices amounting to EUR 6.11 and EUR 8.55, respectively.
 

At the end of the period under review, the share price stood at EUR 6.71 and market capitalisation was EUR 187.9 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 17 April 2012 regarding the authorisations given to the Board of Directors and other resolutions by 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 RISKS AND THEIR 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 effects of currency rate fluctuations are mitigated through 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.

 

EVENTS AFTER THE PERIOD

Timo Karppinen (M.Sc. Economics) Ponsse Plc’s Executive Director, Corporate Development and Strategy and member of the Management Team at Ponsse Plc since the beginning of 2011 will join a new employer as of 30 November 2012. The areas of responsibility of Timo Karppinen will be shared between President and CEO Juho Nummela, Sales and Marketing Director Jarmo Vidgrén and CFO Petri Härkönen. A separate release was issued on 9 October 2012.

 

OUTLOOK FOR THE FUTURE

Group’s euro-denominated operating profit for the year 2012 is expected to remain smaller than in 2011.

The earlier profitability management for 2012 expected the Group’s euro-denominated operating profit to remain at the same level as in 2011.

The prolongation of the global financial uncertainty and weak world economy has resulted in a decline in the demand for forest machines.

It has become increasingly difficult to forecast the near-term outlook.

 
PONSSE GROUP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (EUR 1,000)

    IFRS IFRS
    1-9/12 1-9/11
NET SALES   217,656 225,484
Increase (+)/decrease (-) in inventories of finished goods and work in progress 9,015 9,918
Other operating income   662 812
Raw materials and services   -147,828 -152,738
Expenditure on employment-related benefits -36,959 -35,870
Depreciation and amortisation   -4,186 -3,799
Other operating expenses   -22,631 -25,206
OPERATING RESULT   15,729 18,600
Share of results of associated companies -5 -185
Financial income and expenses   -1,842 -4,273
RESULT BEFORE TAXES 13,883 14,142
Income taxes   -4,578 -6,860
NET RESULT FOR THE PERIOD   9,304 7,282
       
OTHER ITEMS INCLUDED IN TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE RESULT:      
Translation differences related to foreign units -297 -157
       
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE RESULT FOR THE PERIOD 9,007 7,125
       
     
Diluted and undiluted earnings per share * 0.29 0.22
       

 

    IFRS IFRS
    7-9/12 7-9/11
NET SALES   66,566 72,278
Increase (+)/decrease (-) in inventories of finished goods and work in progress 488 2,975
Other operating income   343 375
Raw materials and services   -43,385 -48,842
Expenditure on employment-related benefits -10,271 -10,499
Depreciation and amortisation   -1,426 -1,246
Other operating expenses   -7,294 -6,818
OPERATING RESULT   5,021 8,222
Share of results of associated companies 48 -42
Financial income and expenses   -456 -1,003
RESULT BEFORE TAXES 4,613 7,177
Income taxes   -1,680 -2,526
NET RESULT FOR THE PERIOD   2,933 4,651
       
OTHER ITEMS INCLUDED IN TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE RESULT:      
Translation differences related to foreign units 17 -493
       
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE RESULT FOR THE PERIOD 2,950 4,158
       
     
Diluted and undiluted earnings per share * 0.09 0.15
       

 

* 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 30.9.12 31.12.11
NON-CURRENT ASSETS    
Intangible assets 10,884 9,057
Goodwill 3,440 3,440
Property, plant and equipment 30,761 26,165
Financial assets 111 111
Investments in associated companies 1,170 1,294
Non-current receivables 1,285 1,535
Deferred tax assets 2,443 2,826
TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS 50,094 44,428
     
CURRENT ASSETS    
Inventories 97,917 80,475
Trade receivables 24,545 28,258
Income tax receivables 1,325 4
Other current receivables 6,899 4,499
Cash and cash equivalents 10,912 16,267
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 141,598 129,504
     
TOTAL ASSETS 191,692 173,932
     
     
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND LIABILITIES    
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY    
Share capital 7,000 7,000
Other reserves 19,030 19,030
Translation differences -2,272 -1,975
Treasury shares -2,228 -2,228
Retained earnings 54,594 56,736
EQUITY OWNED BY PARENT COMPANY SHAREHOLDERS 76,124 78,563
     
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES    
Interest-bearing liabilities 28,770 18,630
Deferred tax liabilities 619 1,110
Other non-current liabilities 20 20
TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 29,409 19,760
     
CURRENT LIABILITIES    
Interest-bearing liabilities 28,283 20,434
Provisions 5,165 4,627
Tax liabilities for the period 609 3,527
Trade creditors and other current liabilities 52,101 47,022
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 86,159 75,609
     
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 191,692 173,932

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (EUR 1,000)

 

    IFRS IFRS
    1-9/12 1-9/11
CASH FLOW FROM BUSINESS OPERATIONS:    
Net result for the period   9,304 7,282
Adjustments:      
Financial income and expenses   1,842 4,273
Share of the result of associated companies 5 185
Depreciation and amortisation   4,186 3,799
Income taxes   4,538 7,298
Other adjustments   -390 410
Cash flow before changes in working capital 19,484 23,247
       
Change in working capital:      
Change in trade receivables and other receivables 1,891 389
Change in inventories   -17,442 -15,906
Change in trade creditors and other liabilities 5,436 7,328
Change in provisions for liabilities and charges 538 136
Interest received   117 134
Interest paid   -661 -853
Other financial items   -964 87
Income taxes paid   -8,619 -5,294
NET CASH FLOW FROM BUSINESS OPERATIONS (A) -219 9,268
       
CASH FLOW FROM INVESTMENTS      
Investments in tangible and intangible assets -10,608 -5,521
CASH OUTFLOW FROM INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES (B) -10,608 -5,521
       
FINANCING      
Acquisition of treasury shares   0 0
Interest paid, hybrid loan   -2,280 -2,280
Withdrawal/Repayment of current loans   13,414 -463
Change in current interest-bearing receivables 80 78
Withdrawal/Repayment of non-current loans 4,414 9,873
Payment of finance lease liabilities -401 -403
Change in non-current receivables 94 150
Dividends paid   -9,725 -9,725
NET CASH OUTFLOW FROM FINANCING (C) 5,596 -2,770
       
Change in cash and cash equivalents (A+B+C) -5,231 977
       
Cash and cash equivalents on 1 January   16,267 11,036
Impact of exchange rate changes   -125 -3,521
Cash and cash equivalents on 30 September 10,912 8,492

 

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 2012 7,000 19,030 -1,975 -2,228 56,736 78,563
Translation differences     -297     -297
Result for the period         9,304 9,304
Total comprehensive income for the period     -297   9,304 9,007
Direct entries to retained earnings *         -1,721 -1,721
Dividend distribution         -9,725 -9,725
Purchase of treasury shares           0
Other changes           0
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY 30 SEP 2012 7,000 19,030 -2,272 -2,228 54,594 76,124
             
             
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 2011 7,000 19,030 -1,189 -2,228 49,226 71,839
* Consists of the interest paid for the hybrid loan classified as equity.
                   

 


 
    30.9.12 30.9.11 31.12.11
1. LEASING COMMITMENTS (EUR 1,000)   3,065 4,323 4,085

 

2. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (EUR 1,000)   30.9.12 30.9.11 31.12.11
Guarantees given on behalf of others   668 857 859
Repurchase commitments     1,506 1,841 1,765
Other commitments     3,682 4,249 3,391
TOTAL     6,036 6,947 6,014

 

3. PROVISIONS (EUR 1,000)     Guarantee provision  
1 JAN 2012     4,627    
Provisions added     922    
Provisions cancelled     -383    
30 SEP 2012     5,165    

 

 

KEY FIGURES AND RATIOS     30.9.12 30.9.11 31.12.11
R&D expenditure, MEUR   6.8 6.3 8.8
Capital expenditure, MEUR 10.6 5.5 9.4
as % of net sales     4.9 2.4 2.9
Average number of employees     996 938 948
Order books, MEUR     62.5 110.8 71.9
Equity ratio, %     40.3 41.1 45.2
Diluted and undiluted earnings per share (EUR) 0.29 0.22 0.47
Equity per share (EUR)     2.72 2.57 2.81

 

FORMULAE FOR FINANCIAL INDICATORS

Return on capital employed, %:
Result before tax + financial expenses
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder´s equity + interest-bearing financial liabilities (average during the year) * 100

 

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.

 

Gearing, %:
Interest-bearing financial liabilities
-----------------------------------------------
Shareholders’ equity * 100

 

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

 

Equity per share:
Shareholders’ equity
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of shares on the balance sheet date, adjusted for share issues

 

ORDER INTAKE, MEUR     1-9/12 1-9/11 1-12/11
Ponsse Group     209.4 268.8 332.6

 

The interim report has been prepared observing the recognition and valuation principles of IFRS standards, but not all of the requirements of IAS 34 have been complied with. The same accounting principles were observed for the interim report as for the annual financial statements dated 31 December 2011.

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, 23 October 2012

 

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.