Reporting period January – June
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Net sales increased by 19.1% to MSEK 3,870 (3,248). Organically, net sales grew by 6.1%
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EBITA increased by 25.2 % to MSEK 583 (465)
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EBITA margin increased to 15.1% (14.3%)
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Earnings before tax grew by 28.3% to MSEK 537 (418)
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Earnings after tax increased by 26.6% to MSEK 397 (314)
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Earnings per share increased by 27.1% to SEK 4.31 (3.39)
Reporting period April – June
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Net sales increased by 24.1 % to MSEK 2,122 (1,710). Organically, net sales grew by 12.3%
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EBITA increased by 35.4 % to MSEK 341 (252)
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EBITA margin increased to 16.1% (14.7%)
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Earnings before tax grew by 43.4% to MSEK 314 (219)
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Earnings after tax increased by 39.8% to MSEK 232 (166)
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Bond loans in a total amount of MSEK 1,050 were issued
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After the end of the period Lifco acquired dental company J.H. Orsing AB
Summary of financial performance
| SIX MONTHS | SECOND QUARTER | LAST 12 MONTHS | FULL YEAR | ||||||
| MSEK | 2015 | 2014 | change | 2015 | 2014 | change | change | 2014 | |
| Net sales | 3,870 | 3,248 | 19.1% | 2,122 | 1,710 | 24.1% | 7,424 | 9.1% | 6,802 |
| EBITA | 583 | 465 | 25.2% | 341 | 252 | 35.4% | 1,083 | 12.2% | 966 |
| EBITA margin | 15.1% | 14.3% | 0.8 | 16.1% | 14.7% | 1.4 | 14.6% | 0.4 | 14.2% |
| Profit before tax | 537 | 418 | 28.3% | 314 | 219 | 43.4% | 882 | 15.5% | 763 |
| Net profit | 397 | 314 | 26.6% | 232 | 166 | 39.8% | 653 | 14.7% | 570 |
| Earnings per share[1] | 4.31 | 3.39 | 27.1% | 2.50 | 1.79 | 39.7% | 7.08[2] | 14.9% | 6.17 |
| Return on capital employed[3] | 18.9% | 19.4% | -0.5 | 18.9% | 19.4% | -0.5 | 18.9% | – | 18.8% |
| Return on capital employed, excl. goodwill[4] | 116% | 92.2% | 24.0 | 116% | 92.2% | 24.0 | 116% | – | 105% |
COMMENTS FROM THE CEO
Net sales increased by 19.1% to MSEK 3,870 (3,248) in the first half of 2015. All three business areas reported growing sales driven by organic growth, acquisitions and changes in exchange rates in the first six months of the year. Organic growth was strong in the Demolition & Tools and Systems Solutions business areas. The market situation was generally good in all business areas. EBITA increased by 25.2 % to MSEK 583 (465) in the first half of the year and the EBITA margin expanded by 0.8 percentage points over the same period to 15.1% (14.3%). In the second half of 2014 IPO-related costs of MSEK 110 were charged to consolidated earnings, which have affected the rolling twelve-month profit before tax. Excluding the costs of the IPO, rolling twelve-month earnings per share were SEK 8.03.
The Dental business area had a stable performance in terms of sales and profitability over the first six months. Profitability in Demolition & Tools and Systems Solutions increased sharply in the second quarter after a weak first quarter. We work continuously to improve our product portfolio, strengthen distribution systems and raise the productivity of our companies. Although we would like to see greater stability in the earnings impact of these measures in Demolition & Tools and Systems Solutions, we probably need to expect that earnings in these business areas will fluctuate from one quarter to the next.
In the first three months of the year we made four acquisitions, one each in Dental and Demolition & Tools and two in Systems Solutions. Dental acquired a company in the United Kingdom and thus gained a foothold in the UK market. The company also has disinfection products in its portfolio, a product category which has not previously existed in Dental. Demolition & Tools strengthened its offering by adding earth drills to its product portfolio. In business area Systems Solutions the Environmental Technology division added granulators for plastic production waste to its portfolio and the Interiors for Service Vehicles division acquired a Danish business.
After the end of the period Lifco acquired dental company J.H. Orsing AB, which manufactures saliva ejectors and saliva adaptors.
In the first half of the year Lifco issued bonds totalling MSEK 1,050 in two offerings. The bonds have a maturity of three years and are listed on Nasdaq Stockholm.
Overall, demand was good in all three business areas and in the markets in which we operate. We maintain our strategy of investing in market-leading niche businesses with the potential to deliver sustainable earnings growth and robust cash flows.
GROUP PERFORMANCE IN JANUARY – JUNE
Net sales increased by 19.1% to MSEK 3,870 (3,248), driven mainly by organic growth and acquisitions. Acquisitions contributed with 14.5%, organic growth was 6.1% while foreign exchange gains added 4.7%. Organic growth was strong in the Demolition & Tools and Systems Solutions business areas.
The acquisitions are mainly the German dental company MDH, which was consolidated April 1, 2014, and therefor impacted the comparisons for the first quarter. In the first quarter 2015, four acquisitions were accomplished which impacted sales in the second quarter.
EBITA increased by 25.2% to MSEK 583 (465) and the EBITA margin was 15.1% (14.3%). Organic growth, acquisitions and foreign exchange gains added to EBITA in the first six months. Foreign exchange gains added 3.2% to EBITA. Out of the first-half EBITA of MSEK 583, 54 % was generated in EUR and DKK.
Net financial items were MSEK -7 (-23), positively affected mainly by lower interest rates.
Earnings before tax grew by 28.3% to MSEK 537 (418). Costs related to acquisitions had a negative impact of MSEK 9 on earnings for the first six months. Net profit grew by 26.6% to MSEK 397 (314).
Average capital employed excluding goodwill increased by just over MSEK 16 from 30 June 2014 to MSEK 932 (916). EBITA in relation to average capital employed excluding goodwill was 116% (92.2%) at 30 June 2015 and 105% at 31 December 2014. The improvement was due chiefly to higher earnings as well as good control of the capital employed.
The Group’s net interest-bearing debt increased by MSEK 376 from 31 December 2014 to MSEK 2,389 at 30 June. The net debt/equity ratio was 0.7 at 30 June, which was an increase of 0.1 percentage points from year-end but a decrease of 0.3 from 30 June 2014, when the net debt/equity ratio was 1.0. The Group’s interest-bearing non-current liabilities declined in the first half by MSEK 1,237 to MSEK 1,114 at 30 June. Current interest-bearing liabilities increased by MSEK 1,566 over the same period to MSEK 1,842.
Cash flow from operating activities improved in the first half to MSEK 362 (224) compared with the same period the year before. The higher cash flow was primarily due to improved earnings. Cash flow from investing activities was MSEK -516 (-1,310), which is mainly attributable to acquisitions of subsidiaries in the first half of the year. Cash flow was also affected by the dividend payment during the quarter, in the amount of MSEK 236.
GROUP PERFORMANCE IN THE SECOND QUARTER
Net sales increased by 24.1% to MSEK 2,122 (1,710), driven mainly by organic growth, which contributed 12.3% over the three-month period. Foreign exchange gains added 4.2% to net sales. Organic growth was strong in the Demolition & Tools and Systems Solutions business areas.
EBITA increased by 35.4% to MSEK 341 (252) and the EBITA margin expanded by 1.4 percentage points to 16.1% (14.7%). The EBITA margin improved in Demolition & Tools and Systems Solutions compared with the first half of 2014 as well as the first quarter of 2015. The Dental business area improved its profitability compared with first half of 2014 and profitability growth remained stable in the second quarter compared with the same period in 2014.
In the second quarter EBITA improved mainly through organic growth. Foreign exchange gains also had a positive impact, adding 3.4%. Out of the three-month EBITA of MSEK 341, 49% was generated in EUR and DKK.
Net financial items amounted to MSEK -9 (-10) compared with the same quarter in 2014.
Earnings before tax increased by 43.4% to MSEK 314 (219). Net profit grew by 39.8% to MSEK 232 (166).
Average capital employed excluding goodwill increased by around MSEK 41 from MSEK 891 at 31 March 2015 to MSEK 932 at the end of the quarter. EBITA in relation to average capital employed excluding goodwill was 116 % at 30 June 2015, up from 112 % at 31 March. The improvement was due chiefly to a higher profit as well as good control of the capital employed.
The Group’s net interest-bearing debt increased by MSEK 23 from 31 March to 30 June 2015, to MSEK 2,389. The net debt/equity ratio was 0.7 at the end of the quarter, unchanged from 31 March. Lifco issued bonds during the quarter, which increased the Group’s interest-bearing non-current liabilities by MSEK 1,023 from 31 March 2015 to MSEK 1,114 at 30 June. The Group’s interest-bearing non-current liabilities declined in the first half by MSEK 1,104 to MSEK 1,842 at 30 June. At the end of the period 73 % of the Group’s interest-bearing liabilities were denominated in EUR.
Cash flow from operating activities improved during the three-month period to MSEK 247 (189) compared with the same period the year before. The higher cash flow was primarily due to improved earnings. Cash flow from investing activities was MSEK -84 (-1,281).
On 10 July 2015, after the end of the reporting period, Lifco announced the acquisition of dental company J.H. Orsing AB, which manufactures saliva ejectors and saliva adaptors. The company had a turnover of around MSEK 20 in 2014 and will be consolidated in the Dental business area. The acquisition will not have a significant impact on Lifco’s results and financial position in the current year. J.H. Orsing AB has production facilities in Råå outside Helsingborg in Sweden and has nine employees.
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE – BUSINESS AREAS
Dental
| SIX MONTHS | SECOND QUARTER | LAST 12 MONTHS | FULL YEAR | ||||||
| MSEK | 2015 | 2014 | change | 2015 | 2014 | change | change | 2014 | |
| Net sales | 1,763 | 1,582 | 11.4% | 869 | 828 | 5.0% | 3,447 | 5.5% | 3,266 |
| EBITA | 322 | 267 | 20.8% | 153 | 147 | 3.9% | 599 | 10.2% | 543 |
| EBITA margin | 18.3% | 16.9% | 1.4 | 17.6% | 17.8% | -0.2 | 17.4% | 0.8 | 16.6% |
The companies in the Dental business area are leading suppliers of consumables, equipment and technical service for dentists across Europe. Lifco also sells dental technology to dentists in the Nordic countries and Germany, and develops and sells medical record systems in Denmark and Sweden.
Dental’s sales increased by 11.4% to MSEK 1,763 (1,582) in the first half, boosted by the acquisition of MDH of Germany, which was consolidated as of 1 April 2014. As of the second quarter of this year the MDH acquisition thus no longer affects comparisons. Sales growth remained stable in all regions in the first six months of the year. In the second quarter sales increased by 5.0% to MSEK 869 compared with the year-before period but declined by 2.9% quarter on quarter.
EBITA improved by 20.8% to MSEK 322 (267) and the EBITA margin increased to 18.3% (16.9%) in the first six months of the year. EBITA grew 3.9% compared with the same quarter in 2014 while the EBITA margin remained largely flat. EBITA in the second quarter fell by 10% quarter on quarter while the EBITA margin narrowed from 19.0% to 17.6%.
The dental market remains generally stable. The results for individual companies in Lifco’s dental business may in any individual quarter be influenced by significant fluctuations in exchange rates, calendar effects (such as Easter), gained or lost contracts in procurements of consumables by public-sector or major private-sectors customers as well as fluctuations in the delivery of equipment. In the first half of 2015 there were no individual events having a substantial impact on the earnings of the dental group as a whole.
In the second quarter Lifco sold its stake in NETdental GmbH. The sale did not result in a capital loss or gain for Lifco and had a marginal impact on the business area’s sales and results. NETdental, which was sold on 17 June, accounted for less than five per cent of total sales in Dental.
Demolition & Tools
| SIX MONTHS | SECOND QUARTER | LAST 12 MONTHS | FULL YEAR | ||||||
| MSEK | 2015 | 2014 | change | 2015 | 2014 | change | change | 2014 | |
| Net sales | 760 | 637 | 19.3% | 430 | 328 | 31.1% | 1,412 | 9.5% | 1,289 |
| EBITA | 184 | 139 | 32.1% | 117 | 68 | 72.9% | 332 | 15.5% | 288 |
| EBITA margin | 24.2% | 21.8% | 2.4 | 27.3% | 20.7% | 6.6 | 23.6% | 1.3 | 22.3% |
DDemolition & Tools develops, manufactures and sells equipment for the construction and demolition industries. Lifco is the world’s leading supplier of demolition robots and crane attachments. The Company is also one of the leading global suppliers of excavator attachments. The operations are divided into two divisions – Demolition Robots and Crane & Excavator Attachments – which are of roughly equal size in terms of sales.
In the first six months net sales increased by 19.3% to MSEK 760 (637). The market situation was generally good and sales increased in the majority of markets. The UK was the fastest growing among the Company’s major markets.
EBITA increased by 32.1% to MSEK 184 (139) in the first six months compared with the first six months of 2014. The EBITA margin expanded by 2.4 percentage points from 21.8% in the first half of 2014 to 24.2% in the first half of 2015. EBITA in the first quarter was MSEK 66 and the EBITA margin 20.2%. This meant that the EBITA margin increased by 7.1 percentage points from 20.2% in the first quarter to 27.3% in the second. Lifco works continuously to improve its product portfolios, strengthen its distribution systems and improve productivity in the Group’s companies. The earnings impact of such measures will fluctuate from one quarter to the next, however.
The UK company Auger Torque was acquired in the first quarter and was consolidated from 1 March 2015. Auger Torque mainly manufactures earth drills, adding an entirely new product segment to the Crane & Excavator Attachments division as well as opening up further distribution channels, principally in the UK, Australia, USA and China.
Systems Solutions
| SIX MONTHS | SECOND QUARTER | LAST 12 MONTHS | FULL YEAR | ||||||
| MSEK | 2015 | 2014 | change | 2015 | 2014 | change | change | 2014 | |
| Net sales | 1,348 | 1,029 | 30.9% | 823 | 554 | 48.5% | 2,565 | 14.2% | 2,247 |
| EBITA | 119 | 96 | 23.4% | 92 | 55 | 66.7% | 233 | 10.7% | 211 |
| EBITA margin | 8.8% | 9.4% | -0.6 | 11.2% | 9.9% | 1.3 | 9.1% | -0.3 | 9.4% |
Through its operating units Systems Solutions operates in industries offering systems solutions. Systems Solutions is divided into five divisions: Interiors for Service Vehicles, Contract Manufacturing, Environmental Technology, Sawmill Equipment and Relining (renovation of sewage pipes). The divisions are leading players in their geographic markets.
Net sales in Systems Solutions increased by 30.9% to MSEK 1,348 (1,029) in the first half of 2015. In the second quarter net sales grew by 48.5% year on year and by 56.8 quarter on quarter. All divisions achieved sales growth over the six-month period.
EBITA grew by 23.4% to MSEK 119 (96) in the first six months compared with the first six months of 2014. Over the three-month period EBITA increased by 66.7 % compared with the year-before period and more than trebled compared with the first quarter of this year.
The EBITA margin was 8.8% in the first half of 2015, down from 9.4% in the same period the year before. The decrease in the first half is due to a low EBITA margin of 5.2% in the first quarter. Profitability in the first quarter was hit by a low level of deliveries in Contract Manufacturing, less profitable projects in the Relining business and increased costs in a major project in Sawmill Equipment. The weak first-quarter result was more than offset by a sharp increase in sales. All divisions except Relining improved their results in the first six months.
Interiors for Service Vehicles continued to grow in terms of sales and profitability in the first half. The improvement comes on the back of a step-up in sales activities and an improved product range. Earnings have improved in 2015 but the level is not yet satisfactory. In the first quarter Lifco acquired Sanistål’s Danish car interior business, making Lifco the leading supplier of interiors for service vehicles in the Danish market. Sanistål was consolidated from 1 February 2015 and is performing as planned.
Contract Manufacturing had a weak start to the year amid low sales, resulting in a significantly weaker result, but the market situation was stable and the second quarter saw a sharp increase in sales, which more than offset a weak first quarter. Net sales and earnings both improved compared with the first six months of 2014. The division’s customers include world-leading manufacturers of equipment for the pharmaceutical industry as well as manufacturers of railway equipment, which require a high standard of quality as well as delivery flexibility and documentation.
Environmental Technology had a good first quarter and the strong trend continued into the second quarter, driven mainly by the acquisition of Rapid Granulator. The division thus performed well in the first six months. The acquisition of Rapid Granulator, a leading global manufacturer of granulators for plastic production waste, has given Lifco access to an entirely new area of production in Environmental Technology. Rapid Granulator was consolidated from 1 March 2015.
Sawmill Equipment achieved good sales growth in both the first and second quarters, but one of the division’s ongoing projects was hit by cost increases, which had an impact on first-quarter earnings. Earnings growth improved in the second quarter, resulting in a solid increase in earnings for the six-month period. Sales of pellet systems were particularly strong in the first half, and the division has achieved a leading position in the Nordic, Baltic and Russian markets.
Relining’s performance remained unsatisfactory in the first six months due to lower margins and productivity in certain projects. Sales remained stable, however.
ACQUISITIONS AND SALES
Lifco has made the following acquisitions and sales in 2015:
| Consolidated from | Acquisition | Business area | Net sales | Employees |
| February | Sanistål’s Danish car interior business | Systems Solutions | MDKK 25 | 11 |
| March | Auger Torque | Demolition & Tools | MGBP 10 | 114 |
| March | Rapid Granulator | Systems Solutions | MSEK 300 | 139 |
| April | Top Dental | Dental | MGBP 3.4 | 25 |
| Consolidated up to | Sale | Business area | Net sales | Employees |
| May | All shares of NETdental. Lifco owned 65% of the shares. | Dental | MSEK 140 | 13 |
Further information on acquisitions is provided on page 16 of the interim report. The figures for net sales and number of employees refer to the estimated annual net sales and the number of employees at the acquisition date.
OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Employees
The average number of employees in the second quarter was 3,323 (3,009) and the number of employees at the end of the period was 3,367 (3,023). Acquisitions added 289 employees in the six-month period, all in the first quarter.
Events after the end of the reporting period
After the end of the reporting period the Group has acquired dental company J.H. Orsing AB.
Related-party transactions
No transactions with related parties took place during the period.
Annual General Meeting 2015
The Annual General Meeting was held on 6 May in Stockholm. The AGM approved the Board’s proposed sale of the subsidiary company NETdental GmbH.
Risks and uncertainties
The risk factors which have the biggest impact for Lifco are the competitive situation, structural changes in the market and the strength of the economy. Lifco is also exposed to financial risks, including currency risks, interest rate risks, credit and counterparty risks.
The Parent Company is affected by the above risks and uncertainties through its function as owner of the subsidiaries.
Accounting principles
The Lifco Group applies the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as adopted by the EU. The applied accounting principles are consistent with those described in Lifco’s annual report for 2014, which is available at www.lifco.se. This interim report has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting and the Swedish Annual Accounts Act. The Parent Company applies the Swedish Annual Accounts Act and RFR 2 Financial Reporting for Legal Entities of the Swedish Financial Accounting Standards Council. Under RFR 2, the Parent Company is required to apply all EU-adopted IFRS and interpretations in the interim report for the legal entity insofar as this is possible under the Swedish Annual Accounts Act and Pension Obligations Vesting Act and with regard to the relationship between accounting and taxation.
This report has not been examined by the Company’s auditors.
DECLARATION OF THE Board of Directors
The Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer warrant and declare that this six-month report gives a true and fair view of the Parent Company’s and Group’s operations, financial positions and results, and that it describes significant risks and uncertainties faced by the Parent Company and the companies included in the Group.
Enköping, 16 July 2015
| Carl BennetChairman of the Board | ||
| Gabriel DanielssonDirector | Ulrika DellbyDirector | Erik Gabrielson Director |
| Ulf GrunanderDirector | Fredrik KarlssonPresident and CEO, Director | Annika NorlundDirector, employee representative |
| Johan SternDirector | Axel WachtmeisterDirector | Hans-Erik WallinDirector, employee representative |
FINANCIAL CALENDAR
2015
The report for the third quarter will be published on 3 November
2016
The report for the fourth quarter and the year-end report for 2015 will be published on 22 February
The report for the first quarter will be published on 12 May
The Annual General Meeting will be held at 3pm on 12 May at Bonnierhuset, Torsgatan 21, Stockholm
The report for the second quarter will be published on 15 July
The report for the third quarter will be published on 26 October
FURTHER INFORMATION
Media and investor relations: Åse Lindskog, ir@lifco.se, telephone +46 (0)730 24 48 72
TELECONFERENCE
Media and analysts are welcome to call in to a teleconference, where CEO Fredrik Karlsson, CFO Thérèse Hoffman and Head of Business Area Dental Per Waldemarson will present the interim report. The presentation is expected to take around 20 minutes, after which participants will be invited to ask questions.
Time: 7 p.m. Thursday 16 July
Link to the presentation: http://cloud.magneetto.com/wonderland/2015_0716_Lifco_Q2_Report/view
Telephone numbers:
Sweden +46 8 566 427 01
UK +44 203 428 14 09
US +1 855 753 22 35
LIFCO IN BRIEF
Lifco acquires and develops market-leading niche businesses with the potential to deliver sustainable earnings growth and robust cash flows. The Group has three business areas: Dental, Demolition & Tools and Systems Solutions. Lifco is guided by a clear philosophy centred on long-term growth, a focus on profitability and a strongly decentralised organisation. The Lifco Group comprises 106 companies in 28 countries. In 2014 the Group reported EBITA of MSEK 966 on net sales of around SEK 6.8 billion. The EBITA margin was 14.2 %. Read more at www.lifco.se
| This information is released at 7:30 a.m. CET on 16 July in accordance with the Swedish Securities Market Act, the Swedish Financial Instruments Trading Act and/or the regulations of Nasdaq Stockholm. |
[1] Attributable to Parent Company shareholders.
[2] Costs of MSEK 110 for the initial public offering were recognized in the second half of 2014.
[3] Refers to rolling twelve months.
[4] Refers to rolling twelve months.