Heraeus continues record course in 2011
May 14.05.2012, XNUMX Hanau -
- Product sales in the 2011 financial year increased by 19 percent to EUR 4,8 billion
- EBIT improves in 2011 by 23 percent to EUR 489 million
- Annual surplus increases to 315 million euros
- Cash and cash equivalents and securities increased significantly to EUR 834 million
- Good start to the first quarter of 2012
Heraeus Annual Press Conference 2012 - Jan Rinnert, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board; Dr. Frank Heinricht, Chairman of the Management Board; Christoph Ringwald, Head of Business Press & Social Affairs
The Hanau precious metals and technology group Heraeus has increased its record figures for the previous year in 2011, thus once again recording the most successful year in the company's history. This was announced by the management of Heraeus Holding GmbH at the annual press conference on 10. May in Frankfurt / Main known. With product sales of 4,8 billion euros, Heraeus increased 19 percent year-on-year. The operating result (EBIT) was increased by 23 percent to a total of 489 million. The precious metal trading turnover exceeded 21,3 billion Euro for the first time with 20 billion Euro. This represents an increase of 19 percent compared to the previous year.
“Heraeus is well positioned. With our diversified business portfolio and innovations, we again grew across all seven business areas in 2011, ”said Dr. Frank Heinricht, CEO of Heraeus Holding GmbH, summarized the economic development.
Solid financial structure and high liquidity ensure business success
In the past financial year, Heraeus increased its profit after tax (net income) by 21 percent to 315 million euros (2010: 260 million) compared to the previous year. Cash flow from operating activities increased significantly year-on-year at 2011 million euros. Equity increased by 311 percent compared to 2010 to a total of 14 billion euros. The equity ratio now stands at 2,2 percent.
"The very solid asset, financial and earnings position forms the basis for actively developing our business in the future too," explained Jan Rinnert, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board and CFO of Heraeus Holding GmbH. "This is how we support further growth and thus ensure the company's long-term success."
Investments strengthen positioning in growth markets and promising technologies
Investments in property, plant and equipment in 2011 were well above the previous year's level at EUR 105 million (2010: EUR 73 million). “With our investment policy, we support organic growth in promising business areas and economically attractive regions,” explained Jan Rinnert. The focus here was on the expansion and development of production capacities - including for products for the photovoltaic industry - as well as on supporting growth in Asia.
In addition, Heraeus has strengthened itself through acquisitions, albeit to a lesser extent than in previous years. For example, the Dental business unit took over the business of Bio Medi Face SA, Switzerland, thus expanding its position in the CAD / CAM technology sector. The precious metals business increased its stake in the joint venture Argor-Heraeus SA, Switzerland, to 31,2 percent.
For the first time more than 13.000 employees worldwide
With the key date 31. December 2011 employed Heraeus 13.323 employees. These are 392 persons or three percent more than at the same time of the previous year. New jobs were created mainly in Germany (356 employees), as well as 36 in foreign Heraeus companies. The increase in staff was mainly due to the takeover of own trainees (85 employees) and the hiring of former temporary employees (119 employees).
All divisions again with a positive contribution to earnings
The precious metals business (Heraeus Precious Metals) once again saw a positive development in 2011 and repeatedly achieved a record result. Product sales increased by 35 percent compared to the previous year. Decisive for the development were the continuing strong industrial demand and the constantly high price of precious metals. One of the growth drivers was the photovoltaics business.
The Materials and Technologies business segment (Heraeus Materials Technology) increased product sales by 10 percent in the past fiscal year, driven by strong product demand from the automotive industry, the positive development of the key semiconductor market, and the good economic situation in Asia. The division thus achieved record sales for the second year in a row.
The Sensors business unit (Heraeus Electro-Nite) recorded an increase in sales of nine percent in 2011. Growth was driven by the development of the global steel market.
The business performance of the Dental Products Business Unit (Heraeus Dental) was at the previous year's level. The trend towards digitization continues. Declines in sales of traditional consumables were offset by sales increases, including in digital prosthetics.
The Biomaterials and Medical Devices business segment (Heraeus Medical) also contributed to the positive development in the 2011 financial year. The division once again increased sales by twelve percent, which is attributable in particular to the further expansion of sales activities, for example in Asia.
The Quartz Glass Business Unit (Heraeus Quarzglas) continued its positive development and increased sales by 25 percent compared to the same period of the previous year. He benefited from continued strong demand in all markets. With optimized cost structures and new products, the global market leadership was expanded.
Specialty Light Sources (Heraeus Noblelight) increased its product sales by four percent to a historic high. Above all, it benefited from disproportionate growth rates at the beginning of the year.
Outlook: Good start to the first quarter
“After two record years in a row, the focus in the current financial year is on securing sales and earnings at this high level. The first quarter got off to a good start, ”said Dr. Frank Heinricht.
Especially in the customer industries of automotive and communications electronics, medicine, steel, semiconductors and environmental technology, Heraeus is planning a further development of the business in the long term. The regional focus is on further growth in Asia, especially in China.
The current annual report can be found at http://konzern.heraeus.de/…
Further information about Heraeus Holding GmbH
The precious metals and technology group Heraeus, headquartered in Hanau, is a global family business with a tradition that goes back more than 160 years. Our areas of expertise include the fields of precious metals, materials and technologies, sensors, biomaterials and medical devices, dental products as well as quartz glass and specialty light sources. With product sales of 4,8 € bn and precious metal trading revenues of € 21,3 € bn and 13 300 employees worldwide in more than 120 companies, Heraeus has a leading position in its global markets.
