Dr. Hönle AG: Special effects weigh on earnings in the 2021/2022 financial year

Gilching (pta033/21.12.2022/16:40 UTC+1)

According to preliminary figures, Hönle Group was able to increase its sales in the 2021/2022 financial year by 9.9% to € 126.5 million compared to the previous year.

Business development was burdened by several special effects in the year under review.

These were related to the sale of Raesch Quarz (Germany) GmbH and the impairment of inventories in the air sterilization business.

The operating result (EBIT) amounted to € -10.1 million (PY: € 0.3 million). Sales and earnings are therefore within the target range communicated recently.

The operating result of the Hönle Group adjusted for special effects (EBIT adjusted) amounted to € 8.9 million in the 2021/2022 financial year (PY: € 7.9 million).

Outlook

Sales in the Adhesives segment in the 2021/2022 financial year were slightly below the previous year's level. The existing travel restrictions in China had an inhibiting effect. The situation in this region, which is important for the Hönle Group, has normalized further in recent months. For the 2022/2023 financial year, it is assumed that high-volume adhesive projects will be implemented, which are of great importance for the further development of the group. There are promising adhesive projects in particular in the renewable energy, consumer electronics and automotive sectors.

Based on the assumption that several projects will be implemented in the 2022/2023 financial year, the Management Board assumes that business will develop positively in the Adhesives segment.

In the Equipment & Systems segment, we are assuming a good business development due to the continued good order backlog and ongoing stable demand. Additional impetus will arise from the middle of the 2022/2023 financial year with the introduction of a new product line for the printing industry. Furthermore, Hönle recognises strong demand for UV drying devices for adhesives. Active sales are to be further expanded through the establishment of business development managers.

In the Glass & Lamps segment, the life science area and, in particular, UV-based disinfection represents an important business area that offers great potential for the future development of the Hönle Group. The disinfection of water using UV lamps was and is a significant growth market in this business area. The environmentally friendly process is being used more and more often in the treatment of water for various applications. Here, Hönle Group supplies leading manufacturers of water treatment systems with lamps and components.

The Management Board expects further increases in sales and earnings in the lamps business in the 2022/2023 financial year.

The high energy prices and the price situation on the procurement markets for raw materials significantly affected the earnings situation of Raesch Quarz (Germany) GmbH in the reporting year. The sale of Raesch Quarz (Germany) GmbH will sustainably improve the earnings and cash flow situation of the Hönle Group. Therefore, the Management Board expects a leap in earnings in the Glass & Lamps segment.

Overall statement on future business development

Promising customer projects in all three business segments and a good order situation form the basis for a positive business development of the Hönle Group. The adjustment of sales prices will lead to an improvement in gross profit margins in the course of the 2022/2023 financial year. The sale of Raesch Quarz (Germany) GmbH, which is with its melting furnaces one of the energy-intensive companies, will make the Hönle Group less dependent on rising energy prices in the future and will have positive earnings and liquidity effects at Group level.

Overall, the Management Board expects sales of between € 110 million and € 120 million and an operating result of between € 10 million and € 13 million for the Hönle Group in the 2022/2023 financial year.

The 2021/2022 annual report will be published on January 30, 2023 and can be viewed on the Internet at https://www.hoenle.com/investor-relation/financial-information#reports then.

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Emitter:	Dr. Hönle AG Nicolaus-Otto-Str. 2 82205 Gilching Germany
Contact Person:	Peter Weinert
Phone:	+49 8105 2083 173
E-Mail:	peter.weinert@hoenle.de
Website:	www.hoenle.de
ISIN(s):	DE0005157101 (Share)
Stock Exchange(s):	Regulated Market in Frankfurt; Free Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, Munich, Stuttgart, Tradegate