17 May 2012
SGL Group Q1 performance with a solid start into Business Year 2012
Sales increased by 5 % to €382 million in the first quarter 2012
EBIT at €36 million and net profit at € 14 million on previous year level
Outlook: Assuming recovery of the global economy in the second half of 2012, sales revenue and EBIT improvement expected for fiscal year 2012
Shanghai, May 17, 2012. The SGL Group – The Carbon Company – delivered a solid start to fiscal year 2012 – against the backdrop of a still challenging economic envi-ronment. Group sales improved by 5% to €381.6 million in the first quarter 2012 (Q1/2011: €363.8 million) driven by the Business Areas Graphite Materials & Systems (GMS) and Carbon Fibers & Composites (CFC). EBIT at €36.2 million remained virtual-ly unchanged compared to the same period one year earlier (Q1/2011: €36.3 mil-lion).The positive development in the established Business Areas Performance Prod-ucts (PP) and Graphite Materials & Systems (GMS) – which together increased EBIT by a double-digit percentage.
Robert Koehler, CEO of SGL Group: “Taking into account that the economic framework is still difficult, we had a very solid start into the fiscal year 2012. In the first quarter we performed slightly better than anticipated. However, it is still difficult to make a concrete projection for 2012, as it depends strongly on the future economic development. If the economy gains momentum in the second half, we anticipate revenue and earnings growth in 2012 compared to the previous year as already announced.”
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About SGL Group – The Carbon Company
SGL Group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of carbon-based products and materials. It has a comprehensive portfolio ranging from carbon and graphite products to carbon fibers and composites. SGL Group’s core competencies are its expertise in high-temperature technology as well as its applications and engineering know-how gained over many years. These competencies enable the Company to make full use of its broad material base. SGL Group’s carbon-based materials combine several unique properties such as very good electrical and thermal conductivity, heat and corrosion resistance as well as high mechanical strength combined with low weight. Due to industrialization in the growth regions of Asia and Latin America and increased substitution of traditional with innovative materials, there is a growing demand for SGL Group’s high-performance materials and products. Products from SGL Group are used predominantly in the steel, aluminum, automotive and chemical industries as well as in the semiconductor, solar and LED sectors and in lithium-ion batteries. Carbon-based materials and products are also being used increasingly in the wind power, aerospace and defense industries.
With 46 production sites in Europe, North America and Asia as well as a service network covering more than 100 countries, SGL Group is a company with a global presence. In 2011, the Company’s workforce of around 6,500 employees generated sales of €1,540 million. The Company’s head office is located in Wiesbaden.
Further information on the SGL Group can be found online at: www.sglgroup.com.
Important note:
This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on the information currently available to us and on our current projections and assumptions. By nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, as a consequence of which actual developments and results can deviate significantly from these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not to be understood as guarantees. Rather, future developments and results depend on a number of factors; they entail various risks and unanticipated circumstances and are based on assumptions which may prove to be inaccurate. These risks and uncertainties include, for example, unforeseeable changes in political, economic, legal, and business conditions, particularly relating to our main customer industries, such as electric steel production, to the competitive environment, to interest rate and exchange rate fluctuations, to technological developments, and to other risks and unanticipated circumstances. Other risks that in our opinion may arise include price developments, unexpected developments connected with acquisitions and subsidiaries, and unforeseen risks associated with ongoing cost savings programs. SGL Group does not intend or assume any responsibility to revise or otherwise update these forward-looking statements.
Press Contact:
Corporate Communications / Rachel Wei
Phone +86 21 60976934 / Fax +86 21 5211 0155 / Mobile +86 138 1634 3570
E-mail: rachel.wei@sglcarbon.com.cn / www.sglgroup.cn
EMG China / Lea Zhang
Phone +86 21 5887 8007 - 126 / Fax +86 21 5887 8338 / Mobile +86 139 1776 8202
E-mail: LZhang@emgchina.com / www.emgchina.com