Belimo demonstrates strong growth in sales and profits
The Belimo Group, a global leader in electrical actuators for heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, can look back on a successful year in 2007. The company grew faster than the market in all regions. At the same time, profitability was further increased.
Net sales in Swiss francs rose by 14.4 percent to CHF 372 million. Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) improved to CHF 57.5 million, representing an operating profit margin of 15.5 percent (previous year 15.0 percent). Net income also increased significantly by 18.1 percent to CHF 46.1 million. The return on equity came to 31.1 percent (previous year 26.2 percent).
The Board of Directors will propose a dividend of CHF 45.-- per share to the Annual General Meeting on April 21, 2008.
As a result of the share buyback programme that was completed in September 2007, the Board of Directors will also propose to the Annual General Meeting that 35 000 registered shares be cancelled, thereby reducing the share capital to CHF 615 000.
Growth in all markets
Central Europe made a noticeable recovery, which had a positive effect on our business. We steadily expanded our existing strong position in East European countries. Thanks to the expansion of our distribution network and increased customer loyalty, we also succeeded in making significant improvements in our market position in Asia/Pacific. The Americas, too, achieved excellent growth rates - markedly higher in individual areas.
Net sales by market
|
in CHF 1000s |
2007 |
% |
2006 |
% |
|
Europe |
206'150 |
56 |
175'402 |
54 |
|
Americas |
139'047 |
37 |
128'375 |
39 |
|
Asia/Pacific |
26'623 |
7 |
21'311 |
7 |
|
Total |
371'820 |
100 |
325'089 |
100 |
Net sales in local currencies rose in Europe by 14.7 percent, in the Americas by 12.6 percent and in Asia/Pacific by around 28.7 percent. Overall, this gives an increase of 14.8 percent.
Net sales by application sector
|
in CHF 1000s |
2007 |
% |
2006 |
% |
|
Air applications |
248'407 |
67 |
220'057 |
68 |
|
Water applications |
123'413 |
33 |
105'032 |
32 |
|
Total |
371'820 |
100 |
325'089 |
100 |
Expressed in local currencies, sales of air applications grew by 12.4 percent and sales of water applications were up 19.7 percent.
Strengthening innovation
Belimo is keen to further strengthen its innovative capacity and modified its organisational structure on January 1, 2008. The previous Technology unit has now been integrated into the three group divisions: Innovation, Production and Customizing/Distribution.
The assortment of safety-related actuators is being redesigned and equipped with the latest motor technology and microelectronics. Further potential in the area of actuator and valve technology is being systematically examined and explored. Sensor technology will gain increasing importance as a complement to actuators.
Outlook 2008
The Belimo Group will continue to make substantial investments in research and development and constantly expand sales channels in attractive new markets in 2008. Despite the current credit crisis and fears of recession, we expect our business activities, which relate almost entirely to commercial construction, to perform well. The Belimo Group is confident that it will be able to continue its growth strategy successfully in 2008.
Key figures of the Belimo Group for the 2007 financial year
|
in CHF 1000s |
2007 |
2006 |
Change in % |
|
Net sales |
371'820 |
325'089 |
14.4 |
|
Operating income (EBIT)
- as a percentage of net sales |
57'477
15.5% |
48'752
15.0% |
17.9 |
|
Net income
- as a percentage of net sales |
46'090
12.4% |
39'026
12.0% |
18.1 |
|
Earnings per share in CHF
|
73.08 |
60.87 |
20.1 |
|
Dividend per share in CHF
Nominal capital repayment in CHF
|
*45
|
30
9 |
15.4 |
|
Investments |
13'963 |
9'558 |
46.1 |
|
Research and development expenditure
- as a percentage of net sales
|
22'507
6.1% |
18'875
5.8% |
19.2 |
|
Employees (FTEs, average)
|
970 |
891 |
8.9 |
* Proposal to the Annual General Meeting on April 21, 2008
The Belimo Group is a leading global manufacturer of innovative electrical actuator solutions in heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. The Group achieved sales of CHF 372 million in 2007 and employs more than 1000 people. Information regarding the Company and its products is available on the internet at www.belimo.com.
The shares of BELIMO Holding AG have been traded on the Swiss Stock Exchange since 1995
(SWX: BEAN).
There will be a media information session on the 2007 financial statements in the WIDDER HOTEL in
Zurich today, starting at 10.30 am.
|
Contact |
Beat Trutmann, CFO |
Tel. +41 (0)43 843 62 65
|
|
Agenda |
Annual General Meeting |
April 21, 2008 |
|
|
Semiannual results and shareholder letter |
August 2008 |
|
|
Publication of preliminary results for 2008 |
February 2009 |
|
|
Year-end media information session |
March 16, 2009 |
|
|
Annual General Meeting |
April 27, 2009 |
The Annual Report 2007 can be downloaded from the following link:
The press release can be downloaded from the following link:
