2014-02-28 08:30:03 CET

2014-02-28 08:30:07 CET


REGULATED INFORMATION

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Vaahto Group Plc Oyj - Financial Statement Release

REVIEW OF VAAHTO GROUP’S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR 1 JANUARY–31 DECEMBER 2013


Helsinki, Finland, 2014-02-28 08:30 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- REVIEW OF VAAHTO
GROUP PLC OYJ'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 28 FEBRUARY 2014 AT 09:30 

REVIEW OF VAAHTO GROUP'S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR 1 JANUARY-31 DECEMBER 2013



Development of business operations

Vaahto Group's turnover from continuing operations during the period ending in
December 2013 was 36.5 M euros (comparative: 30.4 M euros) and operating profit
1.0 M (operating loss of 4.1 M euros). Turnover increased by 60% in relation to
an annualized reference figure, and the operating result improved
significantly. The improvement in profitability is due to cost savings and an
increase in order volumes. The Group's order backlog was 6.4 M euros (20.1 M
euros) at the closing of the financial year. The period under review is 12
months long, while the reference figures cover 16 months. 

By decision of the Extraordinary Meeting of Shareholders, the financial year of
Vaahto Group was changed to run from 1 January to 31 December starting in 2013.
Previous financial years ran from 1 September to 31 August. For this reason the
financial year 2011-2012 was extended to cover 16 months, from 1 September 2011
to 31 December 2012. Hence, the reference data in the financial statements for
2013 refer to 16 months. 



Vaahto Process Technology

Vaahto Process Technology's turnover was 32.2 M euros (24.0 M euros), and the
result showed an operating profit of 2.6 M euros (an operating loss of 0.7 M
euros). 

Vaahto Process Technology's market situation in the vessel business was good at
the beginning of the period under review but tightened somewhat toward its end.
Japrotek Oy Ab delivered a significant order to Sasol Technology in South
Africa. Most of that order's value was booked in as income for 2013. The order
involved the design, manufacture, and installation of eight large vessel
structures. This project is expected to be complete in the first quarter of the
2014 financial year. 

The market situation for Japrotek Oy Ab's vessel business remains difficult,
but the offer book for 2014 is solid and additional orders from the existing
customers have been agreed. 

Vaahto Process Technology's market situation in the agitator business was good,
and new orders were received steadily over the course of the period. In
December 2013, Stelzer Rührtechnik International GmbH delivered its largest
order ever, to an Asian chemical company. The order was for 1,200 kW agitators
intended for high‑technology polymer production. Involving a comprehensive
delivery, the challenging nature of this order required world-class project
expertise and product development. The agitators were manufactured in Germany,
at Stelzer's Warburg plant. 

The profitability of the agitator business unit is nearly in line with the
objectives set, and the outlook for the current financial year is good. 



Vaahto Paper Technology

Vaahto Paper Technology's turnover from continuing operations was 4.5 M euros
(6.4 M euros) and the operating loss of 0.8 M euros (operating loss of 3.4 M
euros). The division's result was very weak. 

The operating loss from discontinued operations was 4.4 M euros (operating loss
-2.3 M euros). This operating loss includes the cost from both the sale of
business and discontinued operations. The sale price of the business is not yet
final; it includes items to be specified later. 

In the 2012 financial statement, the Group described the sale of Vaahto Paper
Technology's project-business unit and the spare-parts and small-project
operations belonging to the company's service unit as discontinued operations.
This business was sold to Gebr. Bellmer GmbH Maschinenfabrik in April 2013. All
projects in progress at the time of the sale were transferred to the buyer.
Completed projects that are within their warranty period remain with Vaahto
Paper Technology Ltd. All estimated liabilities associated with the completion
of these projects are included in the balance sheet under “Operations for
sale.” 

Vaahto Group intends to divest or discontinue operations of the unprofitable
Paper Technology business in its entirety. The Board of Directors is
considering various options for the discontinued Paper Technology business, the
primary option being a sale of the business. The Service unit of Vaahto Paper
Technology Oy is presented in the profit and loss statement as discontinued
operations and on the balance sheet as assets and liabilities for sale. AP-Tela
Oy, which belongs to Paper Technology -division, is shown under continuing
operations. 

The effect of discontinued operations on profit/loss is shown on its own line,
separate from continued operations. 



Financing and liquidity

The cash flow from the Group's business operations was -2,4 M euros (-4,4 M
euros), and the Group's net financing costs came to 1.0 M euros (1.2 M euros).
The cash flow from investments made during the financial year was 0.3 M euros
(-1.0 M euros). The Group's consolidated balance sheet total was 23.6 M euros
(30.5 M euros). 

Loans from credit-institutions entail re-payment covenants linked to the
Group's solvency ratio.  The year-end accounts of 31 December 2013 are in
breach of a covenant, but the Group received assurance from the creditors in
question at the close of the 2013 financial period that no consequences of the
breach would arise for the Group. 

The financing negotiations of Vaahto Group were concluded on 18 December 2013.
The final agreement provides the Group companies with a grace period for
receivables of credit institutions for 2014. In addition to the further 2.0 M
euros provided by certain shareholders, the financiers of the Group also waived
repayment of loans amounting to 1 M euros: 0.83 M euros for the parent company
and 0.17 M euros for Vaahto Paper Technology Ltd. These amounts are shown in
the financial items of the financial statement. 

Moreover, the Group's financiers agreed to waive loans totaling 2 M euros,
provided that certain conditions of the financing agreement are met. While the
Company is likely to meet the conditions set for that waiver during the first
quarter of 2014, the financiers will honor the waiver even after the first
quarter, when the conditions are met. The financing arrangement includes a
further commitment by the financiers to waive loans totaling 1 M euros,
provided that the Company can raise at least 1 M euros in new equity by means
of a share issue. Conditional waiver of loans totaling 3 M euros from the
financial arrangement reached, planned divestment of Paper Technology and
Board's plans for a new share issue, will, once they have been realized,
clarify the new, strategy-driven direction and support the financial positionand liquidity of the Group. 

However, the Group's liquidity remains low and the financing will suffice only
if the management's plans succeed and profitability improves. 



Investments

The Group's capital expenditure during the period under review came to 0.9 M
euros (1.3 M euros). Most of the investments went toward asphalting of the
grounds of the Hollola production plant: in total, 0.6 M euros. The other
investments consisted mostly of machine and equipment investments for Vaahto
Paper Technology's Service business. 



Environmental affairs

The financial period saw the conclusion of the work required by the company's
environmental permit for the processing of drainage water on the courtyard of
the Hollola plant. 



Research and development

The Group's research and development activities focused on the expansion of
Vaahto Paper Technology's range of service products. The scope of research and
development activities remained at the previous financial year's level. 



Human resources

The average number of personnel employed by the Group during the period under
review was 256 (333). In total, 181 of these people were employed in continuing
operations. With the sale of the Projects unit on 15 April 2013, 56 people
working in business operations in Hollola and 16 in Tampere transferred to
Bellmer. 



Risks and uncertainty factors

Demand for Vaahto Group's products is highly dependent on economic developments
and other trends in both the global economy and the Group's main customer
industries. The risks created by fluctuations in demand are addressed through
adaptation of the Group's sales operations to current trends in the relevant
market areas and customer industries. 

Large-scale projects entail the risk of inaccurate assessment of project costs
and other risks inherent to projects in the tender stage, which may cause a
project's financial result to be lower than expected. To keep the risks
involved in large-scale projects under control, the Group employs several
means, such as multiple quality-management systems, profitability analyses,
operation guidelines, and approval procedures. 

The objective of the efforts to manage the Group's financing risks is to
minimize the negative impact of changes in financial markets on the Group's
result and to ensure the availability of internal and external funding on
competitive terms. 

The risk of property losses, consequential losses, and liability losses caused
by business operations is addressed by means of appropriate insurance
arrangements. 

The most significant risks associated with continued operations center on the
liquidity and solvency of Vaahto Group, on meeting the conditions set by its
financiers, on the adequacy of the development measures aimed at increasing
profitability, and on the development of customers' demand and market
situations. 

A cash flow forecast extending through February 2015 was prepared to assess the
sufficiency of the Group's working capital. That forecast indicates that the
working capital will cover the needs of the coming 12 months, provided that the
profitability goals set are reached. However the working capital situation will
be tight and its adequacy shall be actively monitored. 

Negotiations with Group's main financiers on financial restructuring are
scheduled for fall 2014. 



Equity capital

The financial statements of 31 December 2013 include depreciation of 11.1 M
euros declared by the parent company, Vaahto Group Plc Oyj, for its
subordinated loans to subsidiary Vaahto Paper Technology Ltd. This entry leaves
the equity capital of Vaahto Group Plc Oyj at negative 4.3 M euros. On account
of the operating loss, also the equity of Vaahto Paper Technology Ltd is
negative. The Trade Register has been duly notified of the negative equities. 

After the close of the financial year, the Board of Directors of Vaahto Group
Plc Oyj announced that, to strengthen Vaahto Group's financial position, it
intends to issue new shares in the first half of 2014. The Board is also
considering various options for divestment of the Paper Technology business,
with the primary option being sale of the business. The financial arrangements
made and planned are described under “Financing and liquidity.” 

The Annual General Meeting held on 10 April 2013 authorized the Board of
Directors to decide on the issuing of new shares in one or more tranches. The
maximum number of shares that may be issued is 2,000,000. The authorization is
valid until 31 May 2014. 

The Board of Directors has no authorization to issue convertible bonds or
warrant bonds or for purchasing or transferring the Group's own stock. 



Deferred tax liabilities and receivables

In total, 0.3 M euros of value adjustments for deferred tax receivables from
confirmed business losses and deferred depreciations have been booked for the
2013 financial period. After this, the Group has no further deferred tax
receivables. 



Administration

The Annual General Meeting held on 10 April 2013 nominated the following
persons as members of the Vaahto Group Plc Oyj Board of Directors: 

Reijo Järvinen, chairman

Sami Alatalo, deputy chairman

Topi Karppanen, member

Mikko Vaahto, member



Vaahto Group's CEO during the period under review was Ari Viinikkala.

After the close of the financial year, Vesa Alatalo was appointed as CEO from
16 January 2014 onward. 

The Group's accounts have been audited by certified auditing company Ernst &
Young Oy. The head auditor was Panu Juonala, Certified Public Accountant. 

The Company follows the 2010 Corporate Governance Code issued for companies
listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki exchange. A report on the Group management
and steering system is available on the Group's Web site. 



Development prospects

Demand for Vaahto Group's products and its financial situation both are highly
dependent on global economic developments and other trends affecting its
customer industries. 

Vaahto Paper Technology's market situation remains uncertain. The market
situation for Vaahto Process Technology is expected to be more stable. 

The financing arrangement reached with our financiers, including a conditional
waiver of loan repayments, planned divestment of the Paper Technology business,
and the Board's planned share issue, will, once they have been realized,
strengthen the strategy of focusing on the Process Technology business and
support the financial position and liquidity of the Group. 

The operating result from Vaahto Group's continuing operations in 2014 is
expected to be positive. 

The year-end accounts have been drafted under the going-concern assumption.
This requires that the Company in 2014 reaches the result and profitability
objectives set in the management forecasts and be able to obtain additional
financing and renegotiate the payment terms for its liabilities. 



Developments since the end of the financial year

Vesa Alatalo was appointed as CEO of Vaahto Group Plc Oyj, with effect from 16
January 2014. 

On 3 February 2014, Vaahto Group Plc Oyj announced a plan to strengthen its
strategy focusing on Process Technology's operations. The Group engages in
process technology business through subsidiaries, Japrotek Oy Ab and Stelzer
Rührtechnik International GmbH. In line with the strategy change initiated in
spring 2013, Vaahto Group intends to divest the unprofitable Paper Technology
business. The Board of Directors is considering various options for
discontinuation of the associated operations and capital, with the primary
option being sale of the relevant business. 



Distribution of profit

The parent company made a business loss of 8,120,359.08 euros, and the company
has no distributable funds. 

The Board of Directors proposes to the General Meeting that no dividends be
distributed and that the loss be covered with funds from the profit account. 



The General Meeting of Shareholders

The General Meeting of Shareholders of Vaahto Group Plc Oyj will be held in
Sibelius Hall, Lahti, on 15 April 2014, at 13:00. 



Vaahto Group's interim management statement

Instead of an interim report for the first quarter of the 2014 financial year,
Vaahto Group Plc Oyj will publish the Interim Management Statement on 16 May
2014. 





VAAHTO GROUP CONSOLIDATED FIGURES                                               
CONSOLIDATED                 1.1.-31.12.2013    % of  1.9.2011-31.12.2012   % of
STATEMENT OF                              12   turn-                   16  turn-
COMPREHENSIVE                         months    over               months   over
INCOME, IFRS                                                                    
1000 EUR                                                                        
CONTINUING OPERATIONS                                                           
NET TURNOVER                          36 516                       30 369       
Change in finished                                                              
goods and work                                                                  
in progress                            1 873                       -1 499       
Production                                                                      
for own use                             -101                         -270       
Other operating                                                                 
income                                    65                           93       
Share of results of                                                             
affiliated companies                                                   25       
Material and                                                                    
services                              18 225                       16 010       
Employee benefits                                                               
expenses                               9 853                       12 585       
Depreciations                            739                        1 564       
Other operating                                                                 
expenses                               5 038                        6 216       
OPERATING PROFIT                                                                
OR LOSS                                  953     2,6               -4 120  -13,6
Financing income                       1 107                           61       
Financing expenses                    -1 122                       -1 263       
PROFIT BEFORE TAXES                      939     2,6               -5 321  -17,5
Tax on income                                                                   
from operations                         -630                       -2 257       
PROFIT OR LOSS                                                                  
FOR THE PERIOD,                                                                 
CONTINUING                                                                      
OPERATIONS                               309     0,8               -7 579  -25,0
DISCONTINUING                                                                   
OPERATIONS                                                                      
Profit or loss for the                                                          
 period,                                                                        
discontinuing operations              -4 399                       -2 347       
PROFIT OR LOSS                                                                  
FOR THE PERIOD                        -4 090                       -9 926       
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE                                                             
INCOME:                                                                        
Translation                                                                     
differences                              -10                           38       
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE                                                             
INCOME, NET OF TAX                       -10                           38       
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE                                                             
INCOME                                -4 099                       -9 888       
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE                                                             
INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE                                                             
Equity holders of the                 -4 090                       -9 926       
 parent                                                                         
Earnings per share calculated on profit attributable                            
to equity holders of the parent:                                                
EPS continuing operations                                                       
undiluted, euros/share                  0,08                        -2,19       
diluted, euros/share                    0,08                        -2,19       
EPS discontinuing                                                               
 operations                                                                     
undiluted, euros/share                 -1,11                        -0,68       
diluted, euros/share                   -1,11                        -0,68       
EPS                                                                             
undiluted, euros/share                 -1,03                        -2,68       
diluted, euros/share                   -1,03                        -2,68       
Average number of                                                               
shares (1000 shares):                                                           
undiluted                              3 977                        3 977       
diluted                                3 977                        3 977       
CONSOLIDATED                      31.12.2013                   31.12.2012       
BALANCE SHEET,IFRS                                                              
1000 EUR                                                                        
ASSETS                                                                          
NON-CURRENT ASSETS:                                                             
Intangible assets                         60                          233       
Goodwill                               1 692                        1 692       
Tangible assets                        5 241                        7 596       
Shares in affiliated                                                            
companies                                 74                           83       
Available for sale                                                              
investments                               35                           43       
Non-current trade                           
and other                                                                       
receivables                                                             3       
Deferred tax asset                                                    271       
NON-CURRENT ASSETS                     7 102                        9 921       
CURRENT ASSETS:                                                                 
Inventories                            2 788                        5 783       
Trade receivables                                                               
and other                                                                       
receivables                            6 992                        6 531       
Current receivables                                                             
for revenue recognised                                                          
in part prior to                                                                
project completion                     1 727                        1 293       
Cash and bank                            129                          400       
CURRENT ASSETS                        11 637                       14 007       
NON-CURRENT ASSETS                                                              
HELD FOR SALE                          4 886                        6 557       
TOTAL ASSETS                          23 624                       30 484       
CONSOLIDATED                      31.12.2013                   31.12.2012       
BALANCE SHEET, IFRS                                                             
1000 EUR                                                           
EQUITY AND                                                                      
LIABILITIES                                                                     
SHAREHOLDERS'                                                                   
EQUITY:                                                                         
Share capital                          2 872                        2 872       
Share premium                                                                   
account                                    6                            6       
Fair value reserve and                                                          
other reserves                         5 063                        5 063       
Translation                                                                     
differences                               48                           56       
Retained earnings                    -14 251                      -10 160       
SHAREHOLDERS'                                                                   
EQUITY                                -6 262                       -2 163       
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES:                                                        
Deferred                                                                        
tax liability                            649                          699       
Long-term                                                                       
liabilities,                                                                    
interest-bearing                      11 763                        3 608       
Non-current                                                                     
provisions                               362                          395       
NON-CURRENT                                                                     
LIABILITIES                           12 774                        4 701       
CURRENT LIABILITIES:                                                            
Short-term                                                                      
liabilities,                                                                    
interest-bearing                       6 758                       14 045       
Trade payables and                                                              
other liabilities                      7 787                       10 662       
Tax liability,                                                                  
income tax                               200                          264       
CURRENT LIABILITIES                   14 745                       24 971       
LIABILITIES OF DISPOSAL                                                         
GROUP HELD FOR SALE                                                             
Interest-bearing                                                                
liabilities held for sale                                             573       
Interest-free                                                                   
liabilities held for sale              2 367                        2 402       
LIABILITIES OF DISPOSAL                                                         
GROUP HELD FOR SALE                    2 367                        2 975       
TOTAL EQUITY AND                                                                
LIABILITIES                           23 624                       30 484       
KEY FIGURES, IFRS                       2013                    2011-2012       
Shareholders'                                                                   
equity per share,                                                               
euros                                  -1,57                        -0,54       
Earnings per                                                                    
share, euros 1)                        -1,03                        -2,15       
Equity ratio %                          neg.                         neg.       
Gross investments                        869                        1 289       
Total average                                                                   
number of                                                                       
personnel                                256                          333       
Order backlog at                                                                
the end of the fiscal                                                           
period 2)                              6 401                       20 111       
1) Earnings per share (EPS) includes also profit/loss of the discontinuing      
 operations.                                                                    
EPS for the period 2011-2012 has been calculated by converting the profit or    
 loss                                                                           
to correspond the profit or loss for 12                                         
 months.                                                                        
2) Continuing operations. The amount of contract revenue recognized as          
 income has been deducted from the order backlog.                               
OTHER LIABILITIES                 31.21.2013                   31.12.2012       
1000 EUR                                                                        
Bank guarantees:                                                                
Bank guarantee                                                                  
limits total                           6 163                        8 860       
Bank guarantee                                                                  
limits used                            4 598                        7 405       
Lease liabilities,                                                              
excluded financial                                                              
lease liabilities:                                                              
Current lease                                                                   
liabilities                              266                          272       
Lease liabilities                                                               
maturing                                                                        
in 1-5 years                             276                          296       
Total                                    541                          568       
Rent liabilities:                                                               
Current lease                                                                   
liabilities                              792                          804       
Lease liabilities                                                               
maturing                                                                      
in 1-5 years                           3 166                        3 216       
Later                                  1 885                        2 144       
Total                                  5 843                        6 164       
Other liabilities:                                                              
Granted guarantees                                                              
to customers and                                                                
creditors                                                             730       
Guarantees granted                                                              
to secure bank                                                                  
guarantee limits                       4 110                        8 860       
Guarantees granted                                                              
to secure bank                                                                  
guarantees                                                            315       
Guarantees granted                                                              
to secure bank loans                   3 580                        3 780       
Guarantees granted                                                              
to secure guarantee                                                             
insurances                             2 175                          750       
Guarantees granted                                                              
to secure trial                                                                 
guarantees                                                          1 500       
Guarantees granted                                                              
to secure rent                                                                  
guarantees                               400                          400       
Other liabilities                        427                                    
Total                                 10 692                       16 335       
Derivative contracts:                                                           
Currency forward agreements are as a rule used to                               
 hedge                                                                          
against exchange rate risks. The currency forward agreements                    
have been used to protect receivables and future                                
 assets.                                                                        
Interest rate agreements are used to hedge against                              
 the                                                                            
changes of the interests.                                                       
The derivative agreements of the group are booked according                     
to IAS 39: Financial instruments. Derivative agreements are                     
initially recognized at their purchase cost                                     
 which is                                                                       
equivalent to the fair value and they are                                       
 subsequently                                                                   
remeasured at fair value.                                                       
Fair values                          Nominal    Fair                 Fair   Fair
of derivative                          value  value,               value,  value
agreements                                      pos.                 neg.  total
                 31.12.2013                
1000 EUR                                                                        
Interest rate swap                                                              
agreements                             2 986       0                  -94    -94
Fair values of derivative agreements are determined by using                    
the market prices for the equivalent agreements on the day of                   
the closing of  the accounts. Fair values state for the income                  
or expenses the group would book if the derivative agreements                   
were closed at the end of the fiscal period.                                    
CONSOLIDATED FLOW            1.1.-31.12.2013          1.9.2011-31.12.2012       
OF FUNDS                                  12                           16       
STATEMENT, IFRS                       months                       months       
1000 EUR                                                                        
Flow of funds                                                                   
from operations:                                                                
Adjustments                             -146                        2 876       
Change in working                                                               
capital                                1 418                          587       
Financial income and                                                            
expenses and taxes                       459                        2 080       
Flow of funds from                                                              
operations                            -2 359                       -4 382       
Flow of funds from                                                              
investments:                                                                    
Investments in                                                                  
tangible and                                                                    
intangible assets                       -869                       -1 289       
Increase caused by the                                                          
change in the Group                                                             
structure                                                             -18       
Income from sales                                                               
of tangible and                                                                 
intangible assets                      1 188                          319       
Payments of loans                                                       8       
Flow of funds from                                                              
investments                              320                         -980       
Flow of funds from                                                              
financial items:                                                                
Issue of shares                                                     1 861       
Withdrawals of                                                                  
short-term loans                         244                        2 946       
Payments of                                                                     
short-term loans                        -597                       -1 136       
Withdrawals of                                                                  
long-term loans                        3 430                        3 000       
Payments of                                                                     
long-term loans                       -1 308                       -1 684       
Flow of funds from                                                              
financial items                        1 769                       -4 987       
Change of liquid                                                                
funds                                   -270                         -375       



Figures are in thousand euros unless stated otherwise. Figures are unaudited.



Lahti 28 February 2014

VAAHTO GORUP PLC OYJ

Board of Directors




         Information:
         Vesa Alatalo, CEO, Vaahto Group Plc Oyj +358 40 7268 923
         www.vaaahto.fi