Sika AG / Sika AG: RECORD SALES AND PROFIT . Processed and transmitted by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

  • Sales growth of 7.9% in local currency (6.8% in CHF) to CHF 4,627.5 million
  • Growth in all regions
  • Operating result (EBIT) up 13.2%, net profit 14.9% higher
  • Growth strategy continues with two more national subsidiaries, four new factories and three acquisitions
  • Confirmation of 2017 annual targets - annual sales expected to exceed CHF 6 billion for the first time

With sales growth of 7.9% in local currency, Sika continued on its successful growth trajectory in the first nine months of the current financial year, achieving record sales of CHF 4,627.5 million. As part of the implementation of the strategic targets for 2020, two further national subsidiaries were founded, four new factories opened and three acquisitions made - the aim being to press ahead with the expansion in high-growth business areas and markets. Sales growth in Swiss francs over the past nine months came to 6.8% after taking a negative currency effect into account (-1.1%).

MARGINS AND NET PROFIT HIT RECORD HIGH
In the third quarter, Sika posted its 23rd successive improvement in margins. This outstanding result was achieved thanks to Sika's successful growth model. Volume grew faster than operating costs, compensating for slightly negative currency effects and rising raw material prices. The operating result and net profit therefore hit record highs in the first nine months of 2017. Operating profit (EBIT) improved by 13.2% to CHF 669.0 million (previous year: CHF 591.2 million). Net profit rose strongly by 14.9% to CHF 477.4 million (previous year: CHF 415.5 million).

Paul Schuler, Chief Executive Officer: "With a further sales increase of 7.9%, which is at the upper end of our defined target range, as well as a 14.9% surge in net profit, we are systematically delivering our growth model and achieving record results. We are positioning ourselves early in emerging economies and are well established in mature markets. This enables us to sell our product solutions at all stages of the life cycle of construction properties, from new-build to refurbishment work. This has resulted in excellent double-digit growth rates in Eastern Europe, Africa, North America, and the Pacific area, with our growth significantly outpacing that of the market in many countries. In the automotive business we are benefiting from the trend towards lightweight construction, and our sales growth is once again firmly in double digits."

GROWTH IN ALL REGIONS
Sales in region EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) increased by 6.5% in the first nine months (previous year: 5.3%). The core markets of France, Italy and the UK achieved solid growth rates. Eastern Europe and Africa experienced double-digit growth. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, saw its first factory for concrete admixtures brought into operation, while concrete admixture and mortar production in Almaty, Kazakhstan, was relocated to a new, expanded site. In Russia, a new production line for PVC membranes was set up at the factory in Lobnya, near Moscow. Just recently, manufacturing capacity was expanded at Lahore, Pakistan, with the opening of a new factory for mortar products and concrete admixtures. In addition, Sika's presence in West Africa was further strengthened through the founding of a new national subsidiary in Senegal.

In the first nine months Bitbau Dörr, a leading supplier of waterproofing systems, was acquired in Austria, while ABC Sealants, a well-known manufacturer of sealants and adhesives for the interior finishing sector, was taken over in Turkey. KVK Holding, which is based in the Czech capital, Prague, also joined the Sika Group. The company is an established supplier of waterproofing and roofing systems as well as a wide range of mortar products.

At 16.7%, the North America region posted the strongest growth once again (previous year: 9.9%), of which 8.2% was through acquisitions. Sika boosted its business volume significantly in the USA achieving growth of around 20%, thus continuing to grow much more quickly than the construction market. Targeted investments in North America contributed substantially to this positive business performance. These include the development of the sales organization, the acquisition of companies and the significant expansion of the supply chain with new factories located close to fast-growing metropolitan areas. The conclusion of the takeover of Rmax Operating, LLC during the reporting period enabled a leading US manufacturer of polyiso insulation for complete building envelope solutions (roofing and wall systems) to be integrated into the Sika Group.

The Latin America region increased sales by 1.7% in the first nine months, compared with 5.6% in the same period last year. Some large countries in the region, including Mexico and Argentina, produced above-average performance. In Brazil, the persistently difficult economic and political situation continued to have a negative impact on business performance. Furthermore, construction activity has been subdued in countries that are dependent on the raw material sector. The supply chain in Mexico was further expanded through investment in a new factory for mortar products and concrete admixtures in Coatzacoalcos. Sika's presence in Central America was also reinforced by the foundation of a new national subsidiary in El Salvador.   

Sales in the region Asia/Pacific rose by 4.8% (previous year: 3.8%). The markets in Southeast Asia, with the exception of Indonesia and Singapore, achieved high growth rates. In Singapore, investment in state-funded residential construction projects, and in Indonesia investment in infrastructure, remained at a low level. In China, the construction industry stabilized further, enabling Sika to achieve high single-digit growth.

OUTLOOK FOR 2017
The strategic targets for 2020 were successfully implemented in the first nine months of 2017, leading to record results. The strong performance supports the target for the full year - namely, a 6-8% increase in sales to more than CHF 6 billion for the first time. Volatile and rising raw material prices present a challenge in the current year. Operating profit (EBIT) is expected to once again increase at a disproportionately high rate, reaching between CHF 880 million and 900 million for the full-year 2017. The unknown outcome of Saint-Gobain's hostile takeover attempt remains an element of uncertainty for the future.

KEY FIGURES NINE MONTHS 2017

in CHF mn 1/1/2016 -9/30/2016 1/1/2017 -9/30/2017 Change in %
       
Net sales 4,331.8 4,627.5 6.8
Gross result 2,396.7 2,532.5 5.7
Operating profit before depreciation (EBITDA) 719.5 797.9 10.9
Operating profit (EBIT) 591.2 669.0 13.2
Net profit 415.5 477.4 14.9
 

 

NET SALES BY REGION

in CHF mn 1/1/2016 -9/30/2016 1/1/2017 -9/30/2017 Change compared to prior year
(+/- in %)
 
      In CHF

 
In local currencies1 Currency impact Acquisition
effect
 
By region              
EMEA 2,056.5 2,136.9 3.9 6.5 -2.6 1.9  
North America 705.0 826.3 17.2 16.7 0.5 8.2  
Latin America 420.5 435.0 3.4 1.7 1.7 0.0  
Asia/Pacific 785.5 820.5 4.5 4.8 -0.3 0.9  
Other segments and activities 364.3 408.8 12.2 12.0 0.2 0.0  
Net sales 4,331.8 4,627.5 6.8 7.9 -1.1 2.4  
Products for construction industry 3,401.7 3,631.8 6.8 8.0 -1.2 3.0  
Products for
industrial manufacturing
930.1 995.7 7.1 7.3 -0.2 0.0  
1 Including acquisitions

 
         


Conference call today, October 26, 2017 at 3.00 p.m. (CET)


In connection with the publication of the results for the first nine months a conference call will be held today. Please dial in 10 to 15 minutes before the start at:
 
+41 (0)58 810 7027                    (Europe, Asia)
+1 (1)631 570 5613                    (North America, Latin America)
+44 (0)207 107 0613                  (UK)


An operator will connect you with Paul Schuler (CEO), Adrian Widmer (CFO) and Dominik Slappnig (Head Corporate Communications & IR).


The conference call will be recorded and remains retrievable for 24 hours under the following numbers:


+41 (0)91 612 4330                    (Europe, Asia)
+1 (1)631 982 4566                    (North America, Latin America)
+44 (0)207 108 6233                  (UK)


Upon request please enter the code 14766 followed by the #sign.

FINANCIAL CALENDAR

Net sales 2017 Tuesday, January 9, 2018
Media conference / analyst presentation Friday, February 23, 2018
on full-year results 2017  
Sales first quarter 2018 Tuesday, April 17, 2018
50th Annual General Meeting Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Half-year report 2018 Thursday, July 26, 2018
Results first nine months 2018 Thursday, October 25, 2018

CONTACT
Dominik Slappnig
Corporate Communications & Investor Relations
+41 58 436 68 21
slappnig.dominik@ch.sika.com

SIKA CORPORATE PROFILE
Sika is a specialty chemicals company with a leading position in the development and production of systems and products for bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing and protecting in the building sector and automotive industry. Sika has subsidiaries in 99 countries around the world and manufactures in over 190 factories. Its more than 17,000 employees generated annual sales of CHF 5.75 billion in 2016.

The media release can be downloaded from the following link:

Media Release



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Source: Sika AG via Globenewswire

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Sika AG
Zugerstrasse 50 Baar Switzerland

WKN: 858573;ISIN: CH0000587979;