Manz AG saw turnover of €86.1 million in the first three months of 2018. This represents an 81% increase over the same period last year, and the highest level of sales recorded in a first quarter in the company's existence.
EBITDA and EBIT were both negative at €0.9 million and €3.0 million, respectively. This compares to a positive EBITDA of €23.3 million and an EBIT of €20 million in the first quarter of 2017.
At first glance, this is a significant decline, compared to the €20 million and more positive results of the same period last year. In that period, however, Manz’s results were favorably impacted by the sale of its Nice Solar Energy GmbH unit, better known as Manz CIGS Technology Gmbh.
On an adjusted basis, the company said, EBIT improved by €8.5 million over the previous year adjusted €11.5 million, while EBITDA rose by €8.3 million compared to previous year adjusted €9.2 million.
The PV equipment manufacturer is currently working on several large orders for CIGS equipment. The planned realization is reflected in the sales and earnings development of the segment, it said. While revenue for the segment was only €1.5 million a year ago, it now reached €35.9 million, thus becoming the division with the highest turnover in the quarter.
EBIT for the solar segment was also positive at €2.1 million for the quarter. EBIT for the first quarter of 2017 was € 25.2 million, thanks to the sale of the CIGS unit. In the area of energy storage, the business continues to grow slowly. Sales in this segment increased within a year from €6.1 million to €7.9 million, while EBIT loss improved from €3.3 to €2.0 million euros.
Manz CEO Eckhard Hörner-Marass announced a continuation of the path he has embarked on, focusing on increasing the competitiveness and profitability of the company. With targeted improvements in the organization and processes, the profitability of the company should be gradually increased.
“With the goal of rapidly extending our customer base, we have significantly expanded the percentage of standardized individual machines and modules in the product portfolio in all segments,” stated Hörner-Marass. “At the same time, we are working continuously in numerous individual projects to increase profitability through targeted organizational and process improvements, and with the introduction of appropriate tools.”
The Management Board of Manz also confirmed the forecast for the current year. Thus, an increase in sales between 10% and 14% compared to 2017 is expected, as well as a slight EBIT gain without special effects. Manz also stated that order intake in the first three months stood at €87.6 million, while order bookings reached €226.4 million at the end of March.
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