ELCOTEQ SE'S INTERIM REPORT JANUARY-MARCH 2008 (UNAUDITED)
Elcoteq SE's net sales between January and March totaled 908.7 million euros (952.5 in January-March 2007). Operating income was -9.5 million euros (-52.4 and excluding restructuring expenses -22.3 in January-March 2007). Operating income has clearly improved compared to the first quarter of the previous year even with lower net sales. The action plans to improve the company's profitability and competitiveness are proceeding in accordance with expectations.
Net sales 908.7 million euros (952.5)
Operating income -9.5 million euros (-52.4 and excluding restructuring expenses -22.3)
Income before taxes -15.4 million euros (-59.0)
Earnings per share (EPS) -0.35 euros (-1.49)
Cash flow after investing activities -1.1 million euros (-40.9)
Rolling 12-month return on capital employed (ROCE) -10.7% (-2.9%)
Gearing 0.8 (0.7)
This interim report has been prepared using IFRS recognition and measuring principles. Tables have been prepared in compliance with the IAS 34 requirements approved by the EU. The comparative figures given in the body text of this report are figures for the corresponding period in the previous year, unless stated otherwise.
Net Sales and Result
Elcoteq recorded net sales of 908.7 million euros (952.5) between January and March. Operating income totaled -9.5 million euros (-52.4) which was a clear improvement from previous year especially when taking into account the lower net sales. Operating expenses were 15 million euros lower than in the first quarter of 2007 mainly as a result of cost savings from the action plans. Actions to correct production problems in Mexico proceeded as planned and are continuing, but to a great extent the results of these improving actions were not yet visible in the first quarter 2008.
The Group's net financial expenses were 6.0 million euros (6.4). Income before taxes was -15.4 million euros (-59.0) and net income totaled -11.6 million euros (-46.9). Earnings per share (EPS) were -0.35 euros (-1.49).
The Group's gross capital expenditures on fixed assets between January and March were 27.7 million euros (11.2) or 3.0% of net sales. Depreciation amounted to 17.1 million euros (20.1).
Financing and Cash Flow
Cash flow after investing activities was -1.1 million euros (-40.9). Cash flow received by the Group from sold accounts receivable was 136.5 million euros at the end of March (226.5 million euros at the end of 2007). The solvency ratio was 19.2% (18.1% at the end of 2007 and 22.5% at the end of March 2007) and gearing was 0.8 (0.7).
At the end of March Elcoteq had unused and immediately available credit limits totaling 276.4 million euros (296.1 million euros at the end of 2007). These unused credit limits included a 230 million euros syndicated, committed credit facility of which 210 million euros was unused.
Business Areas
Since the beginning of 2008, Elcoteq has had three business areas as its primary segments: Personal Communications, Home Communications and Communications Networks. Until the end of 2007 Personal Communications and Home Communications formed one combined business area, Terminal Products.
In the first quarter 2008 the Personal Communications contributed 76% (69%), the Home Communications 9% (12%) and the Communications Networks 15% (19%) of the Group's net sales. Elcoteq's largest customers (in alphabetical order) were Ericsson, Nokia Mobile Phones, Nokia Siemens Networks, Philips, Research in Motion (RIM), Sony Ericsson and Thomson.
Net sales of the Personal Communications business area were higher than in the first quarter last year, standing at 688.4 million euros (658.8). The segment's operating income was 5.4 million euros (-25.8 and excluding restructuring expenses -4.4), or 0.8% of its net sales. Operating income improved due to operational cost savings and increased sales. However, profitability is not yet at a satisfactory level due to production problems in Mexico which are expected to be solved towards the end of the second quarter of 2008.
Net sales of the Home Communications business area were lower in the first quarter than one year earlier, standing at 81.4 million euros (108.4). The segment's operating income was -0.5 million euros (-11.0 and excluding restructuring expenses -4.1). Profitability has improved due to improvements in cost structure but was still negative due to the lower sales.
Net sales of the Communications Networks business area decreased significantly compared to last year's first quarter to 139.0 million euros (185.3). The segment's operating income was -4.2 million euros (-4.7 and excluding restructuring expenses -3.3). Net sales were mainly decreased from previous year due to the divestment of the subsidiary in Germany in mid-January 2008. Operating income effect due to the sales decline could mostly be offset by the operational cost savings.
Geographical Areas
Elcoteq has three geographical areas: Europe, Asia-Pacific and Americas. Elcoteq's first-quarter net sales were derived from these areas as follows: Europe 465.4 million euros (507.6), Asia-Pacific 214.4 million euros (231.2) and Americas 228.9 million euros (213.6).
At the end of March 2008, Elcoteq employed 23,996 people (23,452): 243 (666) in Finland and 23,753 (22,786) elsewhere. The geographical distribution of the workforce was as follows: Europe 10,838 (10,822), Asia-Pacific 7,127 (7,459) and Americas 6,031 (5,171). The average number of Elcoteq employees on the company's direct payroll between January and March was 17,894 (19,065).
Progress in the Action Plans to Improve Profitability and Competitiveness as well as in the Expansion of the Service Portfolio
As announced earlier, Elcoteq is continuing with the action plans to improve its profitability and competitiveness. The company expects to achieve annual savings totaling about 90-100 million euros with full effect by the end of 2008. Furthermore, efforts to boost overall operational performance by more efficient use of manufacturing resources at all locations and by efficient materials management continue. These actions are proceeding according to the plans.
As part of these actions, the company announced on February 26, 2008 that it would divest its subsidiary in St. Petersburg, Russia. It is expecting a one-time gain of approximately 3 million euros after closing of the deal and further positive impact on profitability will result from the third quarter of 2008 onwards. The closing of the deal is expected to take place during the second quarter of 2008.
Expanding the service offering to an integrated EMS company is proceeding and expected to be implemented by the end of 2008 as earlier announced.
Shares and Shareholders
At the end of March 2008, there were altogether 127,795,919 shares comprising 22,025,919 Series A shares and 105,770,000 Series K founders' shares. The par value of the Series A shares is EUR 0.4 per share and of the K founders' shares EUR 0.04 per share. Hence the par value of A shares and K founders' shares totals EUR 13,041,167.60. All the Series K founders' shares are held by the company's three principal owners.
Elcoteq had 9,700 shareholders on March 31, 2008. There were a total of 7,883,786 foreign and nominee registered shares, representing 6.2% of the votes.
Decisions of the Annual General Meeting
Elcoteq SE's Annual General Meeting took place at its headquarters Luxembourg on March 25, 2008 with remote access to Helsinki, Finland. The Meeting approved the Board's proposal that no dividend be distributed for the financial year January 1 - December 31, 2007.
The Meeting elected eight members to the Board of Directors. All the current members were re-elected and were joined by a new member, Mr. François Pauly, General Manager of Sal. Oppenheim Jr. & Cie S.C.A. The following persons continue as Board members: President Martti Ahtisaari; Mr. Heikki Horstia, Vice President, Treasurer, Wärtsilä Corporation; Mr. Eero Kasanen, Rector of the Helsinki School of Economics; Mr. Antti Piippo, principal owner and founder-shareholder of Elcoteq SE; Mr. Henry Sjöman, founder-shareholder of Elcoteq SE; Mr. Juha Toivola, Master of Arts; and Mr. Jorma Vanhanen, founder-shareholder of Elcoteq SE. The term of office of each Board member extends until the end of the following Annual General Meeting. Mr. Ahtisaari, Mr. Horstia, Mr. Kasanen, Mr. Pauly and Mr. Toivola are independent Board members, and represent more than half of the Board's members.
At its constitutive meeting after the Annual General Meeting, the Board of Directors elected Mr. Antti Piippo as its Chairman and Mr. Juha Toivola as Deputy Chairman. Mr. Piippo was elected Chairman of the Nomination Committee and the Working Committee and Mr. Sjöman, Mr. Toivola and Mr. Vanhanen as members of these committees. Mr. Toivola was elected Chairman of the Compensation Committee and the Audit Committee and Mr. Ahtisaari, Mr. Horstia, Mr. Kasanen and Mr. Pauly as members of these committees.
The Meeting decided to appoint the firm of authorized public accountants KPMG Audit S.à.r.l. under the supervision of Mr. Philippe Meyer as the Company's auditor for the financial year ending on December 31, 2008.
The Meeting approved the Board's proposals amending Articles 30 and 54 of the Articles of Association covering changes to the maximum number of directors in the Board of Directors to be not more than ten and the Annual General Meeting day being held only after the second following business day should March 23 be a legal or bank holiday in Luxembourg or Finland.
Short-Term Risks and Uncertainty Factors
The most important short-term challenge with respect to Elcoteq's business operations concerns the successful implementation of the action plans to improve the company's profitability. Also, the ability to continuously adjust the cost structure to reflect changing market conditions is a key factor in maintaining the targeted profitability levels. Furthermore, the company must be able to expand and offer relevant service packages that correspond to customer demands and needs.
Prospects
Elcoteq's key priorities during 2008 are to significantly improve the company's profitability and lay ground for future growth by expanding the service offering in accordance with customers' needs.
Elcoteq forecasts that its full-year net sales will be at the level of year 2007. The operating income (excluding the restructuring items) will improve substantially in 2008 compared to 2007. Profitability is expected to increase gradually to reach operating income level of two percent towards the end of the year.
Second quarter net sales are expected to be higher than the first quarter of 2008 and the operating income to improve clearly and to be positive.
Elcoteq's forecasts are based on the company's opinion of market growth and on the project-specific forecasts of its customers, based on which Elcoteq makes its forecasts of the realization of agreed and planned new projects.
Luxembourg
April 22, 2008
Board of Directors
Further information:
Jouni Hartikainen, President and CEO, +358 10 413 11
Mikko Puolakka, CFO, tel. +358 10 413 11, mobile +41 79 618 0302
Tuula Hatakka, SVP, Treasury and IR, tel. +358 10 413 1808, mobile +358 50 340 5478
Press Conference and Webcast
Elcoteq will hold a combined press conference, conference call and webcast in English at 2.30 pm (EET) on Wednesday April 23, in the Bulsa-Freda room of Scandic Hotel Simonkenttä (address: Simonkatu 9, Helsinki, Finland).
To participate by phone, please call in 5 - 10 minutes before the start of the conference on +44 20 7162 0125 (Europe) or +1 334 323 6203 (the USA), code Elcoteq.
The press conference can also be followed as a live webcast or later as a recording via Elcoteq's website
www.elcoteq.com.
Presentation material used at the press conference (pdf file) will be available on the company's website www.elcoteq.com from approximately 11.00 am (EET) on April 23, 2008.
Elcoteq will publish its second quarter interim report at 9.00 am (EET) on Wednesday, July 23, 2008.
Enclosures:
1 Income statement
2 Balance sheet
3 Cash flow statement
4 Calculation of changes in shareholders' equity
5 Formulas for the calculation of key figures
6 Key figures
7 Business areas
8 Assets and liabilities classified as held for sale
9 Assets pledged and contingent liabilities
10 Quarterly figures
Links:
Interim Report January-March