Revenues rise 10 percent to 102.8 million EUR, while EBT grows over 13 percent to 20.5 million EUR
ISRA VISION AG continues its profitable growth also in the third quarter of the 2017/2018 financial year with double-digit improvements in revenues and earnings and successfully maintains the dynamic of the first half of the financial year. As forecasted, revenues increase by 10 percent against the same period of the previous year to 102.8 million EUR (Q3-YTD-16/17: 93.3 million EUR), while EBT rise significantly by 13 percent to 20.5 million EUR (Q3-YTD-16/17: 18.1 million EUR). The EBT margin was one percentage point higher at 20 percent of revenues (Q3-YTD-16/17: 19 percent), achieving the long-term target for the first time. In respect to total output, the EBT margin is 18 percent, just as in the previous year (Q3-YTD-16/17: 18 percent).
The net cash flow was up slightly at 5.6 million EUR (Q3-YTD-16/17: 5.3 million EUR). With the equity ratio higher by 3 percentage points at 65 percent (September 30, 2017: 62 percent) and the available credit lines, ISRA has solid capital resources for future growth and is optimally prepared for potential acquisition projects. With a high order backlog of approximately 90 million EUR gross (PY: 83 million EUR gross), the company can confirm its targets for the financial year and is set for a good start into the traditionally strong fourth quarter.
ISRA continues to increase its profitability also in the first nine months of the 2017/2018 financial year. EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) rise by 13 percent to 32.1 million EUR (Q3-YTD-16/17: 28.5 million EUR), resulting in an EBITDA margin of 31 percent of revenues (Q3-YTD-16/17: 31 percent) and 29 percent of total output (Q3-YTD-16/17: 28 percent). EBIT (Earnings Before Interest and Taxes) also increase by 13 percent to 20.7 million EUR (Q3-YTD-16/17: 18.4 million EUR), with an EBIT margin of 20 percent of revenues (Q3-YTD-16/17: 20 percent) and 18 percent of total output (Q3-YTD-16/17: 18 percent). EBT (Earnings Before Taxes) likewise grow significantly by 13 percent to 20.5 million EUR (Q3-YTD-16/17: 18.1 million EUR), with the EBT margin thus amounting to 20 percent of revenues (Q3-YTD-16/17: 19 percent) and 18 percent of total output (Q3-YTD-16/17: 18 percent). At 61 percent of total output (Q3-YTD-16/17: 61 percent) and 57 percent of revenues (Q3-YTD-16/17: 57 percent), the gross margin (revenues/total output less cost of materials and costs of labour in production and engineering) is again at the high level of the same period of the previous year.
Against the backdrop of the dynamic order situation and in preparation for the anticipated strong fourth quarter, inventories rise to 38.3 million EUR (September 30, 2017: 32.7 million EUR). Trade receivables, which comprise systems already delivered and invoiced of 39.8 million EUR in addition to receivables according to the percentage-of-completion method of 53.2 million EUR, declined to 93.0 million EUR (September 30, 2017: 98.0 million euros). Operating cash flow amounts to 18.3 million EUR in the reporting period (Q3-YTD-16/17: 23.3 million EUR). Continued measures to enhance productivity and efficiency in production processes and to specifically expand regional management in the area of “Operations and Production” are already planned and will allow additional potential to be leveraged in the coming quarters.
The company paid out a dividend in the total amount of 2.6 million EUR – 0.5 million EUR higher than in the previous year – and achieves a slightly increased net cash flow of 5.6 million EUR (Q3-YTD-16/17: 5.3 million EUR). Following the complete reduction of net debt in the preceding quarters, net liquidity also rises further to 4.4 million EUR (September 30, 2017: -1.3 million EUR). Earnings per share (EPS) after taxes increase by 16 percent to 0,66 euro (Q3-YTD-16/17: 2.85 EUR or 0.57 EUR adjusted for the higher number of shares following the stock split on May 23, 2018 for improved comparability).
ISRA’s strong international corporate footprint makes it one of the best positioned providers in the machine vision industry. In the future, its global network of more than 25 locations worldwide will be extended further as continuous international expansion in key industrial centres is a major factor for long-term success. Earnings in all regions are once again at a high level after the third quarter, and the company is recording strong double-digit growth rates in Europe. In Asia as well, revenues are outperforming the already successful previous year. The dynamic on the American markets is similar to that in the same period of the previous year. By expanding its management, ISRA is planning to tap further revenue potential in a currently positive market environment – particularly in North America.
Both Surface Vision and Industrial Automation once again achieve significant growth in the reporting period. With its innovative robot vision and inline measurement products in the Industrial Automation segment, ISRA delivers to a broad customer base of international automotive manufacturers – including renowned premium producers – and leading companies in other industries. Significant revenue impulses were generated at this year’s AUTOMATICA, one of the most important trade fairs for industrial automation. In addition to successful solutions for 3D assembly, fully automated paint inspection on car bodies, 3D inline measurement technology and adhesive seam inspection, there was particularly strong demand for “TOUCH & AUTOMATE” products prepared specially for INDUSTRIE 4.0 with a new multi-stereo approach. Revenues rose by 12 percent compared to the same period of the previous year to 25.5 million EUR (Q3-YTD-16/17: 22.8 million EUR). Segment EBIT grows by 14 percent to 5.1 million EUR (Q3-YTD-16/17: 4.5 million EUR) – a margin of 18 percent to total segment output (Q3-YTD-16/17: 18 percent).
Revenues in the Surface Vision segment increase by 10 percent to 77.4 million EUR (Q3-YTD-16/17: 70.5 million EUR). EBIT rises to 15.7 million EUR (Q3-YTD-16/17: 13.9 million EUR), giving the segment a margin of 19 percent of total output (Q3-YTD-16/17: 18 percent). In addition to the large-scale order for thin glass inspection for display applications, the management of the glass business unit record further order entries from Asia in particular. In the metals industry, the process analysis modules for quality enhancement and production optimization, as well as for 3D inspection solutions that are used at the beginning of the value chain and minimize downstream rejects are achieving further revenue growth. For historical reasons, revenues generated from more than 40 different materials – including some not directly from the plastics industry – have been aggregated in the plastics business unit. ISRA is now strategically repositioning the Plastics business, putting it up even broader and with an extended focus on innovative materials, which is reflected in the name change to Advanced Materials. With this extended focus, the company addresses additional revenue potential, while simultaneously strengthening international sales for a targeted approach of these customers. The product innovations for the inspection of printed products have been well received on the market, and the dynamic of this business is at a high level. Cost-optimized products in the paper industry are resulting in significant growth in revenues and, last but not least, the business unit’s performance is also benefiting from the augmentation of management. The security business unit – formerly specialty paper – is expanding its product portfolio of specialized inspection solutions for high-security paper to include fully automated quality assurance for high-security printing, and is currently witnessing further growth. Solar industry revenues develop positively; further potential is anticipated from the “CONNECTED PHOTOVOLTAICS 4.0” software tools for high product quality in multi-line-production – even spread over different locations. In the relatively new semiconductor business unit, the company has successfully acquired further strategic orders for the inspection of glass wafers and continues its focus on the market launch in Asia. Service products again contribute with double-digits to revenues in the third quarter; to increase the unit’s contribution to total revenues, management is being enhanced in the next months.
ISRA is constantly consolidating its continuous operational growth by expanding its personnel structures and positioning experienced managers in strategic key areas. Along the value chain – including at global level – in Supply Chain, Production and Operations, Digital Business Development, Marketing and Sales in particular, the company is creating the functional and organizational prerequisites for achieving the revenue target of more than 200 million EUR.
In the regions, a further focus lies on the expansion of the infrastructure as well as recruiting further specialists and executive staff: together with additional office and production capacities at the branches in Shanghai, São Paulo, Berlin, Herten and Darmstadt the departments Sales, Operations as well as the local management are being stepped up at the global locations, including Brazil, the UK, India and the US in particular.
In addition to organic growth, acquisitions are a key component of the long-term strategy, with a focus on target companies that strategically add to ISRA’s technology portfolio, grow its market share and tap new markets. Management is currently analysing several acquisition projects; for one of these projects – target company generating revenues in the mid-double digit million euros range – the evaluation process is in an advanced stage. Given ISRA’s strong financial position and high equity share, it is a realistic option to finance the acquisition with own funds and borrowed capital.
The current innovation dynamics which is generating further demand with new products, the expansion of branches in various regions, investment in strategically important market areas and the high order backlog of approx. 90 million EUR gross (previous year: 83 million EUR gross) form a good basis for the traditionally strong fourth quarter and a positive performance in the months ahead. For the financial year, the company is expecting growth in revenues and EBT at a low double-digit percentage range. In terms of earnings, management is planning to achieve increased or at least stable margins on the current high level. International expansion, operational productivity and cash flow optimization and a strong market position remain top priorities to achieve the revenue dimension of more than 200 million EUR through both organic and anorganic growth in the medium term.