DGAP-News: LPKF Laser & Electronics AG / Key word(s): Half Year Results LPKF half-year result surpasses expectations 14.08.2013 / 08:12 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Strong LDS business boosts revenue and EBIT / Forecast for the year raised slightly Garbsen, 14 August 2013 - Specialty mechanical engineering company LPKF has remained on track for success in the second quarter of 2013. In its half-yearly report published today, the Group reports year-on-year revenue growth of 39% to EUR 70 million. At around EUR 15 million, the company's earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) doubled compared to the first half of 2012. The EBIT margin was 22%. This means that both revenue and EBIT surpassed expectations. Due to the unexpectedly strong business with laser direct structuring (LDS) systems in the first half of the year, LPFK several days ago raised the forecast for the current financial year. The Management Board expects the LPKF Group to post revenue between EUR 119 million and EUR 123 million in 2013 (previously: between EUR 115 million and EUR 120 million). The EBIT margin should be between 16% and 17% in 2013 (previously: between 15% and 16%). Despite the record revenue and earnings figures in the first six months, the forecast for the full year was raised only moderately. This is because, for one, the management does not believe the LDS business to make a similarly strong contribution to revenue in the second half of the year after the unexpectedly positive performance in the first six months of 2013. For another, the major order from the solar industry, which is being completed as planned, had a positive effect on revenue in the first six months. In view of the continuing weakness of the solar market, LPKF is preparing for a noticeable decline in revenue in its Solar Module Equipment business in the second half of the year. The completion of the major order from the solar industry is also reflected in a weaker order book: At EUR 56 million, incoming orders after six months are down 6% compared with the prior-year period. Given a stable economic environment, LPKF still expects revenue to grow by approximately 10% yearly and the EBIT margin to come in between 15% and 17% in 2014 and 2015. Both the high level of revenue and the order intake for the first six months are largely attributable to LPKF's laser direct structuring systems. As the antenna count in modern smartphones continues to rise, more and more smartphone manufacturers are choosing the LPKF LDS technology for producing the antennas. The company therefore expects growth for LDS in the antenna segment to continue. But there are also growth opportunities outside the antenna market. In fall, LPKF will be expanding its product portfolio to include two new LDS systems for new applications. In addition to the outstanding LDS business, the Plastic Welding and Rapid Prototyping product groups in particular contributed to the positive business performance. LPKF will invest in the expansion of its production capacities for plastic welding this year. Furthermore, a new main building will be constructed at LPKF's Garbsen headquarters. The company will make extraordinarily high investments in its future growth in the 2013 financial year. The full 6-months-report is available in German at www.lpkf.de/investor-relations/finanzberichte/index.htm and in English at www.lpkf.com/investor-relations/financial-reports/index.htm. LPKF will be holding a conference call (in English) for analysts and institutional investors on 14 August 2013 at 4.00 pm (CET). The conference call will later be available for download from the company's website. The Management Board will be available to answer questions from private investors during an internet chat at www.lpkf.de/investor-relations/chat-vorstand/index.htm from 6:00 pm. About LPKF LPKF Laser & Electronics AG specializes in the production of laser systems for micro material processing, a field in which it is the world leader in several sectors. Founded in 1976, the Group has its headquarters in Garbsen near Hannover in Germany and does business around the world together with its subsidiaries and representatives. LPKF has 714 employees globally. The shares in LPKF Laser & Electronics AG are traded on TecDAX index of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ISIN 0006450000). End of Corporate News --------------------------------------------------------------------- 14.08.2013 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. DGAP's Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de --------------------------------------------------------------------- Language: English Company: LPKF Laser & Electronics AG Osteriede 7 30827 Garbsen Germany Phone: +49 (0) 5131 7095-0 Fax: +49 (0) 5131 7095-95 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.lpkf.com ISIN: DE0006450000 WKN: 645000 Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, München, Stuttgart End of News DGAP News-Service --------------------------------------------------------------------- 225772 14.08.2013