SUSS MicroTec publishes audited consolidated financial statements for 2020

 

SUSS MicroTec publishes audited consolidated financial statements for 2020

- Order entry reached € 281.1 million (previous year: € 219.3 million)

- At € 252.1 million, sales are 17.9% up on the previous year

- Sales and earnings improvement in three out of four segments

- Group EBIT reached € 20.4 million after € -13.8 million in the previous year

- Adjusted Group EBIT is € 23.0 million after € 0.4 million in the previous year

- Order entry in Q1 2021 rises to € 80.7 million after € 69.0 million in Q1 2020

- The Supervisory Board again consists of five people

- Appointment of Dr. Bendele as CEO and Dr. Rohe as COO

Garching, April 9, 2021 - SUSS MicroTec SE, a leading manufacturer of systems and process solutions for the semiconductor industry and related markets, today published its consolidated financial statements for the 2020 financial year. In the past financial year, the company achieved an order entry of € 281.1 million (previous year: € 219.3 million) and generated sales of € 252.1 million (previous year: € 213.8 million). The order backlog as of December 31, 2020 stood at € 120.1 million (previous year: € 93.2 million). Good order entries of € 69.0 million and € 93.6 million respectively were booked in the first and second quarters of 2020, followed by a strong fourth quarter of € 74.4 million. This enabled SUSS MicroTec to grow again and strengthen its market position.

The gross profit margin improved significantly in the past year and stood at 33.2% for the SUSS MicroTec Group (previous year: 23.2%, previous year adjusted 29.9%). In the 2020 financial year, the adjusted gross profit margin is also 33.2%.

SUSS MicroTec achieved an EBIT of € 20.4 million in the 2020 financial year (previous year -13.8 million €). This corresponds to an EBIT margin of 8.1% in 2020 (previous year: -6.5%). The results of the 2019 financial year were significantly influenced by special write-downs on inventories and production-related fixed assets of € 14.2 million at the US facility in Corona. The reason for the write-downs was the evaluation of the product lines scanner and laser tools at the production facility in Corona, USA. Adjusted for the further special effects from the US location of € 2.6 million, the EBIT margin for 2020 is 9.1% after 0.2% in the previous year. Earnings after taxes (EAT) amounted to € 12.4 million after € -16.3 million in the previous year. The undiluted earnings per share (EPS) are € 0.65 (previous year: € -0.85).

The free cash flow at the end of the 2020 financial year increased and was € 44.0 million after € -36.9 million in the previous year. The cash flow improved strongly due to the increased earnings after tax, higher customer prepayments and a better management trade of receivables. Customer prepayments rose by € 14.1 million compared to the previous year. Furthermore, the reduction in inventories resulted in a positive cash effect of around € 9.6 million. The net liquidity thus improved to € 20.3 million as of December 31, 2020 (previous year: € -18.0 million).

Outlook
After a very strong order entry in the fourth quarter of the 2020 fiscal year and the first quarter of 2021, we can look optimistically to the 2021 fiscal year while keeping the uncertainty of COVID-19 in mind. The general expectations of the semiconductor industry and the individual investment plans of our primary customers raise the expectation of additional growth. The market environment in the semiconductor industry continues to be characterized by increased digitization, higher level of working remotely, and the switch to the mobile communications standard 5G, investments in artificial intelligence and edge technologies.

For 2021 we therefore expect that our products and solutions will be in high demand with our customers in the markets that are relevant for us.

However, we are starting the new fiscal year with a very solid order backlog of about € 120 million and also the first quarter 2021 was drive by a strong demand. Hence, order entry in the first quarter 2021 came in at € 80.7 million after 69.0 million in Q1 2020. Compared to the previous year, we expect a higher order entry and a rising sales level for the 2021 fiscal year in a bandwidth of € 270 million to € 290 million. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) will undergo a corresponding positive development. At this time, we anticipate the EBIT margin to be in a range from 9.0 percent to 11.0 percent.

For the 2021 fiscal year, in view of the necessary investments associated with our strategic growth goals and to improve our production capacities, a free cash flow of between € 12 million and € 18 million is expected. However, free cash flow and net liquidity are strongly dependent on our customers' payment behavior and the down payments. In the event of significant customer payments being postponed to next year, this might have a negative impact on free cash flow and net liquidity in 2021.

Next meetings
The publication of the report for the first quarter of 2021 is planned for May 12, 2021. The Annual General Meeting is planned for June 16, 2021. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 protective measures, it is planned to hold the Annual General Meeting virtually.

Legal Disclaimer
All statements in this release other than historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "believe", "expect", "intend", "anticipate", "estimate", "should", "may", "will", "plan" and similar words and terms used in relation to the enterprise are meant to indicate forward-looking statements of this kind. The company accepts no obligation toward the general public to update or correct forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, as a result of which actual events may diverge numerically from expectations. The forward-looking statements reflect the view at the time they were made.

 




Contact:
SUSS MicroTec SE
Franka Schielke
Investor Relations
Schleissheimer Strasse 90
85748 Garching, Deutschland
Tel.: +49 (0)89 32007-161
Fax: +49 (0)89 32007-451
Email: franka.schielke@suss.com
Publication date: Friday, April 9, 2021, 6:00:12 AM