2014-10-24 08:00:00 CEST

2014-10-24 08:00:05 CEST


REGULATED INFORMATION

Finnish English
Efore - Interim report (Q1 and Q3)

EFORE PLC’ INTERIM REPORT JANUARY 1, – SEPTEMBER 30, 2014 - SIGNIFICANT PROFITABILITY IMPROVEMENT IN THE THIRD QUARTER


Espoo, Finland, 2014-10-24 08:00 CEST (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 
EFORE PLC   Interim Report    October 24, 2014  at  9.00


This release is a summary of Efore's January-September 2014 interim report.
Efore Group's interim report for January-September 2014 is a PDF file
attachment to this stock exchange release and is available on the company's
website at the address www.efore.fi. 

As a result of changing Efore's financial year, FY 2013 figures in brackets
have been changed to match with the periods of the financial year 2014.
Furthermore, when comparing the figures it should be noticed that the last year
acquired ROAL Electronics has been consolidated into Efore Group from the
beginning of July 2013. FY 2013 Income Statements figures are shown at the end
of this release in a separate table. 

July - September 2014 (Q3)  in brief:
- Net sales totalled EUR 22,1 million (EUR 22,0 million), up 0,4 % compared
with the corresponding period last year 
- Results from operating activities without one-time items were EUR 1,6 million
(EUR -0,6 million) 
- Results for the period including one-time items were EUR 1,6 million (EUR
-1,3 million) 
- Earnings per share were EUR 0,02 (EUR -0,03)

January - September 2014  in brief:
- Net sales totalled EUR 63,8 million (EUR 51,2 million), up 24,8 % compared
with the corresponding period last year 
- Results from operating activities without one-time items were EUR 0,6 million
(EUR-3,2 million) 
- Results for the period including one-time items were  EUR -0,6  million (EUR
-4,7 million) 
- Earnings per share were EUR -0,04 (EUR -0,12)



                          7-9/14  7-9/13  Change  1-9/14  1-9/13  Change  11/12-
                                                                          12/13 
Key indicators, EUR       3 mo    3 mo    %       9 mo    9 mo    %       14 mo 
 million                                                                        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Sales                   22,1    22,0     0,4    63,8    51,2    24,8    82,5
Telecommunication sector    12,2    10,0    22,1    35,0    30,9    13,1    48,6
Industrial sector           10,0    12,0   -17,0    28,9    20,3    42,5    33,9
Results from operating       1,6    -0,6             0,6    -3,2            -4,3
 activities without                                                             
 one-time items                                                                 
Results from operating       1,6    -1,3            -0,6    -4,7    86,6    -5,8
 activities                                                                     
Result before taxes          1,2    -1,3            -1,5    -4,8    68,0    -6,1
Net result                   1,1    -1,2            -1,7    -4,6    63,3    -6,2
Earnings per share, EUR     0,02   -0,03           -0,04   -0,12           -0,15
Solvency ratio, %           38,5    32,6    18,1    38,5    32,6    18,1    39,7
Gearing, %                   7,1    58,7    87,9     7,1    58,7    87,9    14,3
Cash flow from business      1,0     1,5             4,6    -0,5             1,4
 operations                                                                     


Financial estimate for the 2014

The Company estimates its net sales of financial year 2014 to be EUR 83-91
million and results from operating activities without one-time items to be EUR
0-2,0 million. 

Vesa Vähämöttönen, Efore's President and CEO:

“The effect of the product portfolio renewal as a result of long term R&D
investments and the outcome of several actions to improve the competitiveness
were visible as significant profitability improvement in the third quarter.
Third quarter EBIT was 1,6 MEUR compared to -0,4 MEUR in previous quarter.
During the same period last year EBIT was -0,6 MEUR even though net sales
remained on same level. Fiscal year 2014 cumulative EBIT without one-time items
is now 0,6 MEUR. Profitability improvement shows that the development work and
efficiency improvement actions have been right. I believe that the continuous
actions will improve the competitiveness also in the future. 

Net sales of Efore's telecommunication sector remained on the same level with
the second quarter of 2014, however the product portfolio changed because of
new product introductions, which continue also during last quarter. 

Net sales of industrial sector slightly improved compared to second quarter of
2014.  Net sales in the second half of 2014 is forecasted to be at the same
level with the first one despite of some price reductions which typically
happen at the end of the year in certain segments. For enabling the future
growth the sales & marketing organization of industrial sector has been
strengthened. ROAL Electronics S.p.A., fully owned company of Efore Plc, was
awarded with the highest recognition of Supplier of the Year by National
Instruments in August. This is evidence of the high value add we bring to our
customers. 

The main targets of Efore's strategy have been balancing business areas by
creating a strong industrial sector alongside of the telecommunication sector
and by developing the company structure to improve the profitability. Short
term focus has been in profitability improvement and in the development of new
products. According to our strategy the focus will move to profitable growth
even though we also continue to improve the competitiveness of the company. 

Efore's long term financial target is to reach 10% EBIT level and an average
annual net sales growth of 5-10%. On short term Efore is focusing to improve
its profitability. Target is to reach at least 6% EBIT level at the end of
2015. “ 

July - September net sales and financial development

Third quarter net sales totalled EUR 22,1 million (EUR 22,0 million) and 
remained at the same level with the previous quarter.  Net sales of
telecommunication sector was EUR 12,2 million and decreased 6,9 % compared to
the previous quarter and net sales of industrial sector was EUR 10,0 million
and  improved 5,3 % compared to the previous quarter. 

Results from operating activities without one-time items were EUR 1,6 million
(EUR -0,6 million). 
The effect of the product portfolio renewal as a result of long term R&D
investments and the outcome of several actions to improve the competitiveness
were visible as significant profitability improvement in the third quarter. 

January - September net sales and financial development

Net sales totalled 63,8 million (EUR 51,2 million). Results from operating
activities without one-time items were EUR 0,6 million (EUR -3,2 million).
Results included EUR 1,3 million one-time items. Almost all of them were
related to the structural changes in Italy due to production transfer to
Tunisia. Cash effect of these items will be spread over the coming 24 months
and the annual cost saving is approximately EUR 1,6 million. 

During the period under review the total spend on R&D activities was EUR 6,5
million (EUR 4,8 million) out of which EUR 2,1 million were capitalized. R&D
spend represented 10,1 % of net sales (9,5 %). 

Business development

Net sales of Efore's telecommunication sector remained on the same level with
the second quarter of 2014, however the product portfolio changed because of
new product introductions, which continue also during last quarter. 

Net sales of industrial sector slightly improved compared to second quarter of
2014.  Net sales in the second half of 2014 is forecasted to be at the same
level with the first one despite of some price reductions which typically
happen at the end of the year in certain segments. 

Telecom sector PCB assembly manufacturing will be transferred to an EMS partner
by the end of this year according to the interim report published on August 
12,2014  and project is progressing as planned. 

Outlook

As a result of the acquisition the group has expanded into new markets which
creates better opportunities for the growth. LTE (4G) technology is in a key
role in network expansions and Efore has a strong position in this development.
Several large network roll-outs have been published after two slow years
creating base for demand growth. Power supplies for LED lighting,
instrumentation, medical and infrastructure offer several growth areas for
Efore in industrial sector. 

During the last 18 months the group has started several new product development
projects and especially telecom product portfolio is renewing significantly
this year. New products make Efore's product portfolio wider, which is expected
to be visible as sales growth and as a decrease in demand fluctuations. 

Getting new products into volume deliveries as forecasted is essential for the
growth and profitability improvement of the company. 

In the near future, Efore is focusing on introducing new products into volume
production and on necessary actions to improve the competitiveness. 

Long-term targets

Efore Group's long term financial target is to reach 10% EBIT level and an
average annual net sales growth of 5-10%. Target is to grow especially in
industrial sector. Market driven product platforms and better R&D investment
utilization are key factors to support company's target to improve
profitability. 

On short term Efore is focusing to improve its profitability. Target is to
reach at least 6% EBIT level at the end of 2015. 

Efore does not consider the long term targets as market guidance for any given
year. It will issue separate financial estimate. 

Events after the period under review

Efore executive management team will change on 3rd of November 2014. The
members and their global responsibilities will be as follows: Vesa Vähämöttönen
(President and CEO), Mikael Malm (COO), Alexander Luiga (EVP, Telecommunication
sector), Alessandro Leopardi (EVP, Industrial sector) and Riitta Järnstedt
(CFO). 

EFORE PLC

Board of Directors


For further information please contact Mr.Vesa Vähämöttönen, President and CEO,
on October 24, 2014 at 10 - 11 a.m., tel. +358 9 4784 6312. 

DISTRIBUTION

Nasdaq OMX Helsinki Oy
Principal media

Efore Group

Efore Group is an international company which develops and produces demanding
power products. Efore's head office is based in Finland and its production
units are located in China and Tunis. Sales and marketing operations are
located in Europe, United States and China. In the fiscal year ending in
December 2013, consolidated net sales totaled EUR 82.5 million and the Group's
personnel averaged 836. The company's share is quoted on the Nasdaq OMX
Helsinki Ltd. www.efore.com 


Enclosure: EFORE GROUP INTERIM REPORT JANUARY-SEPTEMBER, 2014