2013-08-08 08:00:00 CEST

2013-08-08 08:00:04 CEST


REGULATED INFORMATION

English Finnish
Ramirent - Interim report (Q1 and Q3)

RAMIRENT’S INTERIM REPORT JANUARY–JUNE 2013: A MIXED MARKET ENVIRONMENT


RAMIRENT PLC                   COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENT            8 AUGUST 2013

Vantaa, Finland, 2013-08-08 08:00 CEST (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 





Note! Figures in brackets, unless otherwise indicated, refer to the
corresponding period a year earlier. 

APRIL-JUNE 2013 HIGHLIGHTS

  -- Ramirent net sales EUR 160.8 (169.7) million, down by 5.3% (down by 5.8% at
     comparable exchange rates); adjusted for the transfer of the operations in
     Russia and Ukraine to Fortrent, net sales decreased by 0.7%.
  -- EBITA1) EUR 22.7 (24.7) million or 14.1% (14.6%) of net sales
  -- Cash flow after investments EUR -5.2 (7.3) million
  -- After the review period, agreement signed to divest Hungarian operations

JANUARY-JUNE 2013 HIGHLIGHTS

  -- Ramirent net sales EUR 313.6 (334.1) million, down by 6.1% (down by 7.2% at
     comparable exchange rates); adjusted for the transfer of the operations in
     Russia and Ukraine to Fortrent, net sales decreased by 3.2%.
  -- EBITA1)  EUR 45.3 (39.1) million or 14.4% (11.7%) of net sales
  -- EBITA1) excluding non-recurring items2) EUR 35.1 (39.1) million or 11.2%
     (11.7%) of net sales
  -- Net result EUR 23.3 (22.9) million and EPS EUR 0.22  (0.21)
  -- Gross capital expenditure EUR 62.4 (59.6) million
  -- Cash flow after investments EUR 13.8 (13.6) million
  -- Net debt to EBITDA ratio 1.2x (1.4x) 

RAMIRENT 2013 OUTLOOK REVISED

Ramirent previously estimated the full year 2013 EBITA to remain at the 2012
level. Due to the non-recurring cost of divesting Hungary, Ramirent's 2013
EBITA is expected to be slightly below the 2012 level. 



KEY FIGURES (MEUR)        4-6/13  4-6/12  Change  1-6/13  1-6/12  Change  1-12/1
                                                               *              2*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales                  160.8   169.7   −5.3%   313.6   334.1   −6.1%   714.1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITDA                      48.8    51.6   −5.5%    96.8    93.5    3.6%   210.5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
% of net sales             30.3%   30.4%           30.9%   28.0%           29.5%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBITA 1)                    22.7    24.7   −8.3%    45.3    39.1   15.7%   100.6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
% of net sales             14.1%   14.6%           14.4%   11.7%           14.1%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBIT                        21.0    22.7   −7.8%    39.0    35.1   11.1%    92.5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
% of net sales             13.0%   13.4%           12.4%   10.5%           13.0%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EBT                         15.2    20.0  −23.7%    30.4    30.6   −0.6%    83.0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
% of net sales              9.5%   11.8%            9.7%    9.2%           11.6%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per share          0.11    0.14  −17.8%    0.22    0.21    2.1%    0.59
 (EPS), (basic and                                                              
 diluted), EUR                 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross capital               30.0    23.9   25.5%    62.4    59.6    4.7%   124.0
 expenditure on                                                                 
 non-current assets                                                             
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross capital              18.7%   14.1%           19.9%   17.8%           17.4%
 expenditure,% of net                                                           
 sales                                                                          
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flow after             −5.2     7.3     n/a    13.8    13.6    1.0%    54.2
 investments                                                                    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Invested capital at the                            611.3   601.9    1.6%   604.3
 end of period                                                                  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Return on invested                                 19.2%   19.0%           18.9%
 capital (ROI), % 3)                                                            
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Return on equity (ROE),                            19.3%   19.0%           18.6%
 % 3)                                                                           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net debt                                           264.2   280.6   −5.9%   239.4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net debt to EBITDA ratio                            1.2x    1.4x            1.1x
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gearing, %                                         76.8%   87.9%           65.8%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity ratio, %                                    43.1%   39.1%           43.7%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Personnel at end of                                2,777   3,129  −11.2%   3,005
 period                                                                         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1) EBITA is operating result before amortisation and impairment of intangible
assets. 
2) The non-recurring items include a non-taxable capital gain of EUR 10.1
million from the formation of Fortrent 
3) The figures are calculated on a rolling twelve month basis.
* Retrospective application of amendment to IAS19 affecting Sweden and Norway
segments. 



MAGNUS ROSÉN, RAMIRENT CEO:

“The slow start of the year continued into the beginning of the second quarter
due to cold spring weather. Net sales decreased by 0.7% in the second quarter;
adjusted for the transfer of the operations in Russia and Ukraine to Fortrent.
Sweden and Norway were the best performing markets. Margins remained stable
over the period and in the second quarter we delivered EBITA of 14.1% (14.6%)
on net sales of EUR 160.8 (169.7) million. We reached all our long-term
financial targets during the second quarter. Although, we will continue our
work to drive profitable growth. 

Overall, market development is mixed. In the Nordic countries, market demand
was at a fairly good level, except for Finland where activity weakened compared
to last year. Demand for equipment rental remained stable in Europe East. In
Europe Central, market conditions remained weak and our measures to scale our
operations to fit the reduced demand situation continued. Demand in the
industrial sector remained stable in the Nordic countries. The integration of
Fortrent's business operations is proceeding according to plan. 

After the review period, we have signed an agreement to exit the Hungarian
market. This divestment is in line with our aim to strengthen the strategic
focus on higher growth opportunities in our core markets in the Baltic Sea
region. The sale of the Hungarian operation will result in a non-recurring
divestment cost of approximately EUR 2 million, which will be recognised in
other operating expenses in the third quarter. 

Due to uncertainty in the near-term demand outlook, we maintain high readiness
to manage changes in market conditions. Our focus is on operating on cautious
capital expenditure, strict cost control and on maintaining a strong balance
sheet. 

We continue to develop our common Ramirent platform to realise higher
operational synergies throughout the Group. We are also strengthening our
long-term competitiveness by developing our workforce and improving customer
experience in all our customer sectors through integrated solutions and
value-added rental services.” 

MARKET OUTLOOK 2013

According to a forecast published by Euroconstruct in June 2013, the Finnish
construction market is expected to decrease by 1.2% in 2013. Both residential
and non-residential construction, are forecasted to decrease in 2013. However,
renovation is estimated to increase in residential and non-residential sectors
during this year. The market situation in infrastructure construction is
predicted to remain stable. 

According to a forecast published by Euroconstruct in June 2013, the Swedish
construction market is expected to decrease by 0.8% in 2013. Residential
construction is estimated to remain at the previous year's level.
Non-residential construction is expected to decrease in 2013, whilst the
renovation market is forecasted to grow in all construction sectors in 2013. 

The Norwegian construction market is expected to remain favourable in 2013.
According to a forecast published by Euroconstruct in June 2013, the Norwegian
construction market is forecasted to grow by 5.7% in 2013. Market activity is
estimated to remain good especially in residential and infrastructure
construction. The renovation sector is also growing, although at a slower pace
than new construction. Demand in the oil and gas sector is expected to remain
at a good level. 

The Danish construction market started to recover slowly during the second
quarter. According to Euroconstruct, the construction market will increase by
3.0% in 2013. Demand in the renovation market is expected grow. Residential
construction is expected to remain at a low level in 2013. Non-residential
construction is estimated to increase this year. 

In the Baltic States, the market situation is expected to remain stable.
Recovery of the Baltic construction market is estimated to continue in the
second half of 2013. According to the Euroconstruct forecast in June 2013, the
construction market in the Baltic States is expected to grow at a moderate
rate, about 2−4% in 2013. 

The market outlook for Russia is positive in the longer term, but the economic
uncertainty in Europe was also reflected in Russia during the first half of the
year. In 2013, the construction market is estimated to increase by 3% in Russia
according to the Euroconstruct forecast in June 2013. Equipment rental is
expected to grow clearly more than construction activity. In Ukraine, the
market situation is still challenging. 

Ramirent is not expecting a recovery in the Europe Central markets in 2013.
According to the Euroconstruct forecast in June 2013, the construction market
in Poland is estimated to decline by 5.6% in 2013. In Czech Republic, Slovakia,
and Hungary, construction volumes are expected to decrease by 1.0%−6.0% in
2013. 

ANALYST AND PRESS BRIEFING

A briefing for investment analysts and the press will be arranged on Thursday 8
August 2013 at 11:00 a.m. Finnish time at the Event Arena Bank, Wall Street
Cabinet 22, Unioninkatu 22, Helsinki. 

WEBCAST AND CONFERENCE CALL

You can participate in the analyst briefing on Thursday 8 August 2013 at 11:00
a.m. Finnish time (EET) through a live webcast at www.ramirent.com and
conference call. Dial-in number: +44 (0)20 7162 0077 (UK) +1 334 323 6201 (USA)
and conference password is 934068. Recording of the webcast will be available
at www.ramirent.com later the same day. 

FINANCIAL CALENDAR 2013

Ramirent observes a silent period during 21 days prior to the publication of
annual and interim financial results. 

Interim Report January-September 2013             8 November 2013 at 9:00 a.m.



The financial information in this stock exchange release has not been audited.



Vantaa, 8 August 2013



RAMIRENT PLC
Board of Directors



FURTHER INFORMATION
Group President and CEO Magnus Rosén
tel.+358 20 750 2845, magnus.rosen@ramirent.com

CFO and EVP Corporate Functions Jonas Söderkvist
tel.+358 20 750 3248, jonas.soderkvist@ramirent.com

SVP, Marketing, Communications and IR Franciska Janzon
tel.+358 20 750 2859, franciska.janzon@ramirent.com



DISTRIBUTION
NASDAQ OMX Helsinki
Main news media
www.ramirent.com

Ramirent is a leading equipment rental group delivering Dynamic Rental
Solutions™ that simplify business. We serve a broad range of customers,
including construction and process industries, shipyards, the public sector and
households. In 2012, the Group's net sales totalled EUR 714 million. The Group
has more than 2,700 employees at 325 customer centres in 11 countries in the
Nordic countries and in Central and Eastern Europe. Ramirent is listed on the
NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd.

RR_Q2_2013_EN_web.pdf