Gerresheimer AG has started the financial year 2008 with an outstanding first quarter. Sales grew by 18.2% compared with the prior year period to ?239.1m (2007: ?202.3m).Excluding exchange-rate effects, sales actually rose by 21.8%. The operating result (Adjusted EBITDA) also improved again, increasing by 20.4% to ?43.0m (prior year period: ?35.7m). The Adjusted EBITDA margin therefore reached 18.0% in the first quarter (December 2007 - February 2008), which is seasonally the weakest quarter over the course of the year.
The adjusted net income, which shows the operating strength of the company, almost quadrupled to ?9.9m (prior year period: ?2.6m). The net income improved by ?6.5m to ?2.5m (prior year period: ?-4.0m). Overall, Gerresheimer profited primarily from the high level of demand in the pharma and life science segment, where the company achieves three quarters of its total sales.
- The first quarter was extremely successful for us. We improved our results in all divisions and are therefore well ahead of the overall market development. Gerresheimer is outstandingly well positioned and we are well on the way to achieving our ambitious targets for the current financial year - says Dr. Axel Herberg, CEO of Gerresheimer AG.
All the divisions contributed to the positive development of the Group. In addition to the sustained high level of demand for Gerresheimer products, this was attributable to the successful integration of the acquisitions made.
In the first quarter of 2008, sales in the Tubular Glass Division increased by 9.1%, or 14.6% on a like-for-like exchange-rate basis, to ?65.7m (prior year period: ?60.2m). Adjusted EBITDA totalled ?15.7m (prior year period: ?15.0m). The main growth generator in this division was the 68% increase in sales of RTF (Ready-to-Fill) syringes. To meet this sustained high level of demand, Gerresheimer plans to install a third RTF production line at the start of 2009. Further growth contributors were the rise in sales of pharmaceutical vials in the American market and growth in China.
Sales by the Plastic Systems Division increased by 37.1% to ?77.2m (prior year period: ?56.3m). Adjusted EBITDA actually rose by 45.4% to ?14.1m (prior year period: ?9.7m). This division profited from the rise in demand for inhalers and products for the segment of diabetes care. Also in this division, integration of the companies EDP (today Gerresheimer Zaragoza S.A.) and Allplas (today Gerresheimer Plasticos Sao Paulo Ltda.), which were acquired at the start of 2008, is progressing well.
With sales growth of 5.0 % (7.8% on a like-for-like exchange-rate basis) the Moulded Glass Division considerably exceeded the market average. Adjusted EBITDA on the basis of sales of ?77.6m (prior year period: ?73.9m) improved by 20.3% to ?16.0m. Particular contributions were made by the pharmaceutical vials business in the USA and Europe and increased sales of cosmetics products.
The Life Science Research Division achieved a sales increase of 81.7 % to ?21.8m (prior year period: ?12.0m) following the expansion of business operations after establishment of the joint venture with Thermo Fisher. The operating result improved to ?2.4m (prior year period: ?1.3m).
- We will continue our successful development in 2008. We have substantially improved the results in all divisions and see this as full confirmation of our strategy. With its products, Gerresheimer is a reliable partner for the pharma & life science industry, which is our core business. We benefit from the growth in this sector and will further expand our good position in the market - says Dr. Axel Herberg.
For the financial year 2008 as a whole, Gerresheimer`s objective is to achieve a sales increase of 13% to 15% and an improvement in the adjusted EBITDA margin to more than 19%.
Gerresheimer employs more than 10,800 people in 41 locations in Europe, America and Asia. In the financial year 2007, worldwide sales totalled ?957.7m. The product portfolio ranges from pharmaceutical vials made of glass and plastic through to complex drug-delivery systems for the pharma & life-science industry. These include sterile syringes, inhalers and other system-based approaches for safe dosage and application of medications. The Group enjoys a leading position in markets which are characterised by high technical and regulatory barriers.
