Lenzing Group achieves best quarterly results in its history

Lenzing – The Lenzing Group got off to a very good start in the year 2017. It succeeded in significantly improving first-quarter revenue and earnings and thus achieved the best quarterly results in the company’s history. The corporate strategy sCore TEN will continue to be implemented in a disciplined manner in order to further enhance customer intimacy and further expand the offering of specialty fibers.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, consolidated revenue climbed 14.3 percent in the first three months of 2017 to EUR 586.2 mn. This rise can be attributed to higher selling prices related to the Chinese New Year as well as an improved product mix, the reduction of inventories and more favorable currency exchange rates. Consolidated earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) were up 46.6 percent to EUR 135.1 mn, corresponding to an EBITDA margin of 23 percent in comparison to 18 percent in the prior-year period. Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of the Lenzing Group increased by 72.1 percent to EUR 102.3 mn, resulting in a higher EBIT margin of 17.5 percent (Q1 2016: 11.6 percent). The profit for the period improved by 69.6 percent to EUR 75 mn, and earnings per share rose 67.9 percent to EUR 2.75 per share.

“The first quarter of 2017 was the best in our company history. A key factor is the disciplined implementation of our sCore TEN corporate strategy. The opening of new sales offices in Turkey and Korea enables us to serve our customers more effectively. We are progressing well with the expansion of our production capacities for specialty fibers. This will support our customers in their own expansion efforts by providing products made of our botanic fibers”, states Stefan Doboczky, Chief Executive Officer of the Lenzing Group. “Assuming that fiber market conditions remain at current levels, we expect a substantial earnings improvement this year compared to 2016.”

Better customer support

The Lenzing Group opened up new sales and marketing offices in Turkey and Korea. The direct contact to customers and well equipped showrooms featuring products made of Lenzing™ fibers serve as the basis for providing even better support to our customers.

Expansion of production capacities for lyocell fibers has started off well

With the ground-breaking ceremony at the Lenzing Group’s production site in Heiligenkreuz, Burgenland (Austria), the end of March marked the beginning of the construction phase to expand capacities for TENCEL® branded lyocell fibers. As of mid-2018, customers will have an additional 25,000 tons of lyocell specialty fibers at their disposal. The construction of the new production facility for TENCEL® fibers in Mobile, Alabama (USA), has started already as well and will be finished at the end of the first quarter of 2019. Lenzing is currently examining several potential sites in Asia for a further lyocell plant.

Outlook

The macroeconomic environment appears to be somewhat more favorable than in the prior-year quarter, but continues to be impacted by political factors. Developments on the fiber markets should be slightly more positive, but still volatile. The wood-based cellulose fiber segment, which is relevant for Lenzing, should again outpace the overall fiber market. The demand for these wood-based cellulose fibers was very good at the beginning of 2017 with the long-term trend pointing towards further growth in viscose and, above all, wood-based cellulose specialty fibers. On the supply side, the market is not expected to see the entry of any notable new production capacities in 2017.

Under the assumption of unchanged conditions in the fiber market and stable exchange rates, the Lenzing Group confirms its expectation of achieving a considerable improvement in results in the fiscal year 2017 compared to 2016.

1. The figures were partially adjusted (for further details please refer to “Notes on the Financial Performance Indicators of the Lenzing Group”, available at the following link www.lenzing.com/Notes-Financial-Performance-Indicators-Lenzing-Group-2017-Q1)
2. Capital expenditures: acquisition of intangible assets, property, plant and equipment as per statement of cash flows
3. Ratio of adjusted equity to total assets in percent

Disclaimer: The above key financial indicators are largely derived from the Lenzing Group’s consolidated financial statements according to IFRS. Further details on their calculation can be found in section “Notes on financial performance indicators of the Lenzing Group”, in the glossary of the Annual Report and the consolidated financial statements of the Lenzing Group.