Imtech: Sound operational performance in the fourth quarter 2013, significant valuation allowances in Germany
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· Revenue and order intake solid in 2013
· Good improvement operational EBITDA margin in Q4 2013, excluding Germany
· Good cash collection leads to debt reduction of 91 million euro in Q4 to 745
million euro
· Detailed action plan to resolve German legacy issues, valuation allowances of
200-230 million euro, contributing to a substantial loss for 2013.
Royal Imtech provides a preliminary view of its performance for the fourth
quarter 2013 based on unaudited figures. Final audited annual figures 2013 are
scheduled for publication on March 18, 2014.
Gerard van de Aast, CEO of Royal Imtech: "The performance of our business,
excluding Germany, has improved markedly in the fourth quarter with good
improvement of operational EBITDA margin and good cash collection leading to a
substantial debt reduction. Our German business has not yet improved in the
fourth quarter but with the "Neue Imtech" program and accelerated closure of
legacy issues we have taken important steps in our recovery."
Sound operational improvement Q4 2013
Revenue and order intake in Q4 2013 was solid. For the year as a whole, Imtech
expects revenue, excluding our divested Turkish business, to be around 4.9
billion euro and order intake to be around 100% of revenue. The good improvement
of operational EBITDA margin, excluding Germany, in the quarter was positively
helped by the impact of management upgrades and the completed headcount
reduction programs. The net interest-bearing debt by year-end amounted to 745
million euro down from 836 million euro at the end of the third quarter.
Headcount and financial restructuring related cash-out for the quarter amounted
to 55 million euro. The good net debt reduction is the result of focus on cash
collection from work in progress and trade receivables. All businesses,
including Germany, contributed to this good result.
German recovery program "Neue Imtech"
The German recovery program "Neue Imtech" is in full progress and prioritizes
healthy project margins over volume and focusses on efficiencies in staffing,
project control and purchasing. During the last quarter, this program has put
special emphasis on cost savings and cash generation. The headcount reduction
program 2013 in both Germany and Eastern Europe is completed. The improvement
and acceleration of the invoicing and cash collection processes resulted in a
significant and encouraging contribution to the reduction of the group's net
interest-bearing debt at year-end. Revenue in Germany & Eastern Europe in 2013
will amount to approximately 960 million euro, with new order intake around 820
million euro. The operational EBITDA margin in Germany did not yet improve in
the fourth quarter 2013, compared to the first nine months, but will benefit
from the cost savings and the "Neue Imtech" program going forward. Market
conditions in Germany remain favourable and our market position based on our
strong technical competences continues to be solid. Full details on the "Neue
Imtech" program will be presented at the annual results publication on March
18th 2014.
Detailed action plan to conclude legacy issues in execution
As announced on 20 December 2013, "Neue Imtech" also contains a detailed action
plan to accelerate the conclusion of legacy issues. Further assessment by new
management in Germany, based on a different approach by prioritising closure of
these issues and cash-in, lead to progressive insight. These legacy issues
represent mainly unresolved historic issues with customers that were previously
reported in overdue trade receivables or work in progress. Typically these
legacy issues relate to projects that were contracted before 2013, are by now or
soon will be completed, but not yet settled with the customers. Resolution of
these legacy issues will deliver cash-in, but will also result in a non-cash
valuation allowance when full book value is not recoverable. Non-cash valuation
allowances of 200-230 million euro will be included in the results 2013. Of this
amount, circa 20 million euro originates outside Germany. At year-end the
remaining total amount of legacy issues on the balance sheet will amount to a
range of 65-95 million euro. A dedicated team at Imtech will resolve these
legacy issues in a pragmatic and optimized manner. The vast majority of these
legacy issues does not have a direct relation to current operations. The company
will report separately on these legacy issues going forward.
Restructuring update 2013
The headcount reduction program 2013 as announced on November 7th 2013, has been
finalised. Total headcount reduction for 2013 amounted to 2,300 FTE at a total
costs of 105 million euro. Previous indication was a reduction of 1,950 FTE for
90 million euro. The increased number and amount is mainly related to Germany.
Excluding Turkey, total headcount will amount to approximately 26,000 FTE at the
end of 2013. For 2014, the earlier announced extra headcount reduction in
Germany of 300 FTE will be implemented in the first half of 2014 for
approximately 15 million euro. The financial restructuring charges in 2013
amounted to 110 million euro, as previously announced.
Analysts' conference call 3 February 2014, live transmission via Internet
(webcast)
From 9.30 hrs. (CET) an analysts' conference call will be held. This analysts'
call will be transmitted live via the Internet (www.imtech.com) from 9.30 hrs.
(CET) and after this time will also be available on the website.
More information
Media: Analysts & investors:
Dorien Wietsma Jeroen Leenaers
Director Corporate Communication & CSR Director Investor Relations
T: +31 182 54 35 53 T: +31 182 54 35 04
E: dorien.wietsma@imtech.com E: jeroen.leenaers@imtech.com
www.imtech.com www.imtech.com
Imtech profile
Royal Imtech N.V. is a European technical services provider in the fields of
electrical solutions, ICT and mechanical solutions. With approximately 26,000
employees, Imtech is active in the buildings and industry markets in the
Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, Eastern Europe, Sweden,
Norway, Finland, the UK, Ireland and Spain, the European markets of ICT and
Traffic as well as in the global marine market. In total Imtech serves 24,000
customers. Imtech offers integrated and multidisciplinary total solutions that
lead to better business processes and more efficiency for customers and the
customers they, in their turn, serve. Imtech also offers solutions that
contribute towards a sustainable society - for example, in the areas of energy,
the environment, water and traffic. Imtech shares are listed on the NYSE
Euronext Amsterdam, where Imtech is included in the AEX Index.
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