Reading time ( words)
The SCHWEIZER-Group had a good start to the current year. Orders, sales and results have improved considerably. Excluding Schweizer Electronic (Jiangsu) (SEC), which is hold for sale, a clear turnaround in results was achieved. SCHWEIZER is increasingly benefiting from the mega-trends of electromobility, automation and autonomous driving. The first quarter still includes the fully consolidated results of Schweizer Electronic (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd.
The Order book increased to 254.8 million euros at the end of the quarter, which corresponds to an increase of +29.8 percent as of 31.03.2022 or +8.7 percent compared to the end of the year (31.12.2022: 234.4 million euros). Incoming orders amounted to 55.4 million euros in the first quarter of 2023 and increased accordingly by +32.8 percent compared to the same quarter of the previous year (Q1 2022: 41.7 million euros).
The Turnover of the SCHWEIZER-Group amounted to 37.1 million euros in the first quarter of 2023 (Q1 2022: 34.8 million euros). This corresponds to an increase of +6.8 percent compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Sales to automotive customers amounted to 24.9 million euros (Q1 2022: 24.1 million euros), an increase of 3.5 percent compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Automotive customers represented 67 percent of revenue in the first quarter of 2023 (Q1 2022: 69 percent), while at the same time the share of revenue from industrial customers increased to 26 percent (Q1 2022: 23 percent).
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) improved to +0.4 million euros (Q1 2022: -2.1 million euros). The EBITDA ratio was +1.0 percent, compared to a negative ratio of -6.0 percent in the previous year. In the Group excluding China, EBITDA of +3.4 million euros was achieved (Q1 2022: +1.7 million euros) and thus doubled.
The Equity was still burdened by the consolidated Chinese subsidiary ("SEC") in the first quarter and amounted to -12.7 million euros as at 31 March 2023 (31 December 2022: -8.8 million euros). The change was mainly due to the net loss of the Chinese subsidiary in the first quarter of the year amounting to -5.3 million euros, whereas the Group excluding China generated a consolidated net profit of +1.3 million euros in the first quarter. The effect of the majority disposal in SEC will take effect on 1 May 2023, which will lead to positive earnings effects and an improvement in the balance sheet structure of the SCHWEIZER-Group.
Forecast confirmed
The management confirms the forecast given in the context of the publication of the 2022 business figures and expects a significant improvement in the profit margins. With an EBITDA ratio of between +4 and +6 percent (2022: -9.4 percent) and a return to solid balance sheet ratios. The effects of the deconsolidation of SEC, which is due in the second quarter, cannot yet be precisely quantified, so that both positive and negative effects may arise from this.
