Heraeus Plans Resurgence After Two Slow Financial Years

HANAU, Germany, May 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

The Hanau-based Heraeus precious metals and technology group finished financial year 2013 with satisfactory results despite some lower numbers. This was announced by the Heraeus Holding GmbH Board of Management at a press conference on annual results held in Frankfurt on May 8. The slowing pace of growth in China - an important market for Heraeus - combined with continued market uncertainty in Europe and the United States as well as lower precious metals prices to depress revenue and earnings for the Heraeus Group again this past year. Heraeus had total product revenue of €3.6 billion (10 percent less than in 2012). However, this outcome was greatly influenced by precious metals price effects. Adjusted for these effects, revenues for 2013 show a slight increase, up by 2 percent over the previous year. Weak industrial demand for platinum, gold and silver pulled precious metals trading revenue down to €13.5 billion (-16 percent).

Operating results (EBIT) fell by 29 percent, ending at €256 million. This was mainly attributable to continued stagnation in the photovoltaics market, one-time effects of restructuring measures, and expenditures for the IT-based Magellan process harmonization program. By contrast, the annual result for the Heraeus Group was distinctly positive, at €454 million (+92 percent over 2012). This increase reflects proceeds from the sale of the Heraeus Dental business group during the past financial year.

"Heraeus was not entirely immune to the fairly restrained macroeconomic environment of the past year, although the significant declines in product revenue and operating results are largely attributable to lower precious metals prices and one-time effects," said Jan Rinnert, chairman of the Heraeus Holding GmbH Board of Management in summary. "Given this background, we feel a certain level of satisfaction with financial year 2013, but we are planning on significant growth in the future."

Outlook 

Overall, the Heraeus Group is on target for the current year. The first-quarter results reflect this, with some business groups off to a strong start for 2014 while others remain rather restrained. There is every likelihood that the uncertain overall economic situation the Heraeus Group navigated in 2013 will continue in the current fiscal year.

"On the whole, however, we expect improvement in the operating results for 2014. The Heraeus Group is currently implementing numerous initiatives and measures to enhance efficiency and improve margins, giving reason for optimism. The associated costs were already included in the results for 2013," said Jan Rinnert.

Key Financial Indicators for Financial Year 2013 

    Key financial indicators in
    EUR million                     2013     2012   Change in %
    Product revenue                3,578    3,979       -10
    Precious metals trading
    revenue                        13,462   15,989      -16
    Earnings before interest and
    taxes (EBIT)                    256      360        -29
    Net income                      454      237        +91
    Shareholders' equity           2,667    2,344       +14
    Capital expenditures            141      126        +13
    R&D expenditures                 86       84         +2
    Employees at year-end          12,454   13,615       -9

Heraeus, the precious metals and technology Group headquartered in Hanau, Germany, is a global, private company with more than 160 years of tradition. We create high value solutions for our customers, strengthening their competitiveness for the long term. Our fields of competence include precious metals, materials and technologies, sensors, biomaterials and medical products, quartz glass, and specialty light sources. In fiscal year 2013, Heraeus had product revenue of €3.6 billion and precious metals trading revenue of €13.5 billion. With more than 12,500 employees in over 110 subsidiaries worldwide, Heraeus holds a leading position in its global markets.

For additional information, please contact: 

Bettina Lichtenberg
Head of Corporate Communications
Heraeus Holding GmbH
Heraeusstraße 12-14
63450 Hanau, Germany
Tel. +49(0)6181-35-5100
F +49(0)6181-35-4242
bettina.lichtenberg@heraeus.com
http://www.heraeus.com

Service: 

The current annual report can be found at: http://konzern.heraeus.de/Geschaeftsbericht

Current photo materials can be found at: http://www.heraeus-media.com/Public