Vaahto Group Interim Report for 1 September 2011-31 August 2012

VAAHTO GROUP PLC OYJ  INTERIM REPORT                   10.10.2012     at 11.00

VAAHTO GROUP INTERIM REPORT FOR 1 SEPTEMBER 2011 – 31 AUGUST 2012

Vaahto Group’s turnover for 1 September 2011 – 31 August 2012 was 48.3 MEUR (compared with 55.3 MEUR for the corresponding period in the previous financial year), with an operating loss of 4.8 MEUR (compared with an operating loss of 1.3 MEUR). Turnover fell by 13% from the reference period level, causing the operating result to remain weaker than in the reference period. The Group’s order book grew by 15% during the period under review and amounted to 25.7 MEUR on 31 August 2012.

On 19 June 2012, Vaahto Group Plc Oyj’s extraordinary general meeting approved an amendment to the statutes, based on which the company’s normal financial year was changed to 1 January–31 December. Consequently, the duration of the current financial year will be sixteen (16) months (1 September 2011–31 December 2012).

Vaahto Paper Technology

During the period under review, the turnover was 29.0 MEUR (39.7 MEUR) and the operating loss 4.4 MEUR (operating loss 0.1 MEUR). The turnover fell significantly (27%) from the reference period, and combined with the weak profitability of the project business, it caused the result to remain clearly weaker than that of the reference period.

In the period under review, the most significant new order in the project business was the modernisation of the pulp dryer at the Södra Cell Mönsterås pulp mill. There have been clear signs that the market situation of the project business is intensifying. The market situation of the service business has continued to be fairly good for the time being.

In the period under review, the organisation and business structure of the Vaahto Paper Technology division was clarified. Measures were taken to strengthen the sales and product development operations in particular, while cost-effectiveness was improved by combining overlapping operations.

As part of the strategy work at Vaahto Group, the possibilities for clarification of the structure and organisation of the project business unit, as well as potential options for business acquisitions or sales, are being analysed.

The company has made a strategic decision to focus on the service business in the Vaahto Paper Technology division, where possibilities for utilising Vaahto’s paper technology expertise have made themselves evident. A new intensification programme has been started in the service business, the effects of which are expected to be seen in the final months of the extended financial year.

Vaahto Process Technology 

The turnover of the Vaahto Process Technology division for the period under review was 19.4 MEUR (15.7 MEUR), and its operating loss was 0.5 MEUR (operating loss 1.2 MEUR). The turnover increased by 24% compared to the reference period. The operating result improved but still remained negative. The result was impacted by the low profitability of the vessel business during the first six months of the financial year.

In terms of pricing, the market situation remained difficult for the division’s vessel business, but the number of confirmed orders and of projects in the tender stage is rapidly growing. In August 2012, Japrotek Oy Ab received a substantial order from Sasol Technology (Pty) Limited in South Africa for the design, fabrication and site-assembly of eight large tank structures.

Vaahto Process Technology’s market situation in the agitator business has remained good, and the size of the order book is unchanged. Profitability objectives for the agitator business have almost been met in the period under review. The agitator business is considered part of the Group’s strategic area of focus.

Research and development

During the period under review, the Group’s research and development activities have focused on expanding the product range of the Vaahto Paper Technology division’s service business. The scope of research and development activities remains at the level seen in the previous financial year. 

Investments

The Group’s capital expenditure during the period under review was 1.1 MEUR (1.9 MEUR). It consisted mainly of machine and equipment investments for the Vaahto Paper Technology division’s service business. 

Financing and taxes

The cash flow of the Group’s business operations was -2.9 MEUR (-3.8 MEUR) and the cash flow from investments -0.7 MEUR (7.1 MEUR) during the period under review. At the end of the period under review, the interest-bearing liabilities amounted to 17.2 MEUR. The Group’s consolidated balance sheet total was 28.8 MEUR (36.5 MEUR), with an equity ratio of 0.3% (17.8%). Measures have been taken in the Group to improve the financial position and the equity ratio. The repayment covenant conditions related to the equity ratio of the Group involved in the loans from the from credit institutions were violated on the Interim Report date, 31 August 2012, and because of that, those long-term loans has been recorded as current liabilities. The financial negotiations with the financier are currently pending.

During the fiscal period 2011-2012 the Group has booked total 1.4 MEUR impairment losses related to deferred tax assets recognized for tax losses.

Human resources

The average number of personnel employed by the Group during the period under review was 336 (349).

Ari Viinikkala, M.Sc. (Econ.), has been appointed the acting CEO of Vaahto Group Plc Oyj as of 4 April 2012.

Directed share issue and share exchange agreement

The company’s Board of Directors decided on 19 April 2012 to issue 600,000 new shares and to deviate from the shareholders’ subscription privilege, issuing the shares to a group of selected investors instead. Based on the discussions with the investors, the subscription price was agreed at 3.50 EUR per share, thus the total subscription price amounted to 2,100,000 EUR.

The company’s Board also decided to approve a share exchange agreement, which was signed on 19 April 2012, concerning the company’s subsidiary AP-Tela Oy, as well as a directed share issue based on the agreement in order to carry out a share exchange for the minority shareholders of AP-Tela Oy. Following the share exchange, the Group’s share in AP-Tela Oy is 100%.

Extraordinary general meeting on 19 June 2012

Vaahto Group Plc Oyj’s extraordinary general meeting on 19 June 2012 appointed Sami Alatalo as a new Board member. The general meeting also approved an amendment to the statutes, based on which the company’s normal financial year was changed to 1 January–31 December. Consequently, the duration of the current financial year will be sixteen (16) months (1 September 2011–31 December 2012).

International Financial Reporting Standards

The interim report has been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) IAS 34, Interim Financial Reporting. 

Estimate for the financial year 1 September 2011–31 December 2012

 There have been worrying trends in the development of the international financial situation and the market situation of Vaahto Group’s main branches of industry has continued on its difficult course. Vaahto Group’s operating result is estimated to improve during the remaining months of the extended financial year, but still remain loss-making. Consequently, it is estimated the result for the entire financial year will be weaker than the 12-month result achieved this far. Due to a market situation that is difficult to predict, there remains significant uncertainty over the estimation of the result for the financial year.

In order to secure the company’s financial position, discussions are underway to arrange long-term financing and the possibility of organising a share issue is being investigated. In order to revive the Group, the Board is also reviewing opportunities to make structural arrangements.

Interim report for 1 September 2011–30 November 2012 

The extraordinary general meeting of Vaahto Group Plc Oyj on 19 June 2012 decided that the company’s normal financial year would be changed to 1 January–31 December. The company’s current financial year 1 September 2011–31 August 2012 is therefore extended to sixteen (16) months, ending on 31 December 2012. Vaahto Group will release its next interim report for fifteen months on 10 January 2013.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, IFRS
1000 EUR

Interim
Report
1.3.2012-
31.8.2012
6 months

Interim
Report
1.3.2011-
31.8.2011
6 months

Interim
Report
1.9.2011-
31.8.2012
12 months

Annual
Report
1.9.2010-
31.8.2011
12 months

Net sales

21 765

30 404

48 259

55 318

Change in finished goods
and work in progress

-260

365

-545

547

Production for own use

333

432

677

1 183

Other operating income

0

222

56

390

Share of profits of affiliated companies

2

-5

16

-4

Material and services

-10 187

-16 561

-23 476

-28 614

Employee benefit expenses

-7 974

-8 675

-17 928

-17 586

Depreciations

-1 051

-1 059

-2 053

-2 115

Other operating expenses

-4 544

-5 101

-9 845

-10 424

Operating profit or loss

-1 915

22

-4 839

-1 304

Financing income

22

33

31

320

Financing expenses

-534

-561

-954

-963

Profit or loss before taxes

-2 428

-506

-5 762

-1 946

Tax on income from operations

-1 659

-672

-1 816

-172

Profit or loss for the period

-4 087

-1 178

-7 578

-2 118

Other comprehensive income:
Translation differences

30

5

38

-1

Other comprehensive income,
net of tax

30

5

38

-1

Total comprehensive income

-4 057

-1 173

-7 540

-2 120

Net profit or loss attributable:             
Equity holders of the parent

-4 103

-1 226

-7 578

-2 225

Non-controlling interest

16

48

0

107

Total

-4 087

-1 178

-7 578

-2 118

Total comprehensive income attributable:              
Equity holders of the parent

-4 072

-1 221

-7 540

-2 226

Non-controlling interest

16

48

0

107

Total

-4 057

-1 173

-7 540

-2 120

Earnings per share calculated
on profit attributable to
equity holders of the parent:            
   
EPS undiluted, euros/share

-1,13

-0,41

-2,29

-0,75

EPS diluted, euros/share

-1,13

-0,41

-2,29

-0,75

Average number of shares (1000 shares)

3 639

2 986

3 313

2 953

CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEET, IFRS
1000 EUR

Interim
Report 31.8.2012

Annual
Report
31.8.2011

Assets
Intangible assets

532

1 030

Goodwill

1 720

1 702

Tangible assets

10 462

10 907

Shares in affiliated companies

74

57

Non-current trade and other
receivables

43

44

Other long-term investments

10

11

Deferred tax asset

773

2 274

Non-current assets

13 614

16 026

Inventories

4 632

5 601

Trade receivables
and other receivables

9 550

14 124

Tax receivable, income tax

15

0

Cash and bank

954

775

Current assets

15 151

20 500

Total assets

28 765

36 525

Equity and liabilities
Share capital

2 872

2 872

Share premium account

6

6

Other reserves

4 925

1 995

Translation differences

56

29

Retained earnings

-7 813

-351

Equity attributable to
equity holders of the parent

47

4 552

Non-controlling interests

0

1 217

Shareholders’ equity

47

5 768

Deferred tax liability

675

624

Long-term liabilities, interest-bearing

4 235

6 831

Non-current provisions

322

273

Non-current liabilities

5 232

7 728

Short-term liabilities, interest-bearing

12 930

8 269

Trade payables and other liabilities

10 210

14 573

Tax liability

347

186

Current liabilities

23 486

23 028

Liabilities

28 718

30 757

Total equity and  liabilities

28 765

36 525

KEY FIGURES, IFRS

Interim
Report
1.9.2011-
31.8.2012
12 months

Annual
Report
1.9.2010-
31.8.2011
12 months

Operating profit or loss 1000 EUR

-4 839

-1 304

Operating profit or loss % of turnover

-10,0

-2,4

Return on equity %

-260,6

-31,0

Return on investment %

-25,3

-4,2

Earnings per share EUR

-2,29

-0,75

Shareholders’  equity per share EUR

0,01

1,52

Solidity %

0,3

17,8

Gearing

34 406,6

248,3

Order backlog 1000 EUR

25 663

22 401

Gross investments 1000 EUR

1 105

1 879

Total average number of personnel

336

348

CONSOLIDATED FLOW OF
FUNDS STATEMENT, IFRS
1000 EUR

Interim
Report
1.9.2011-
31.8.2012
12 months

Annual
Report
1.9.2010-
31.8.2011
12 months

Profit or loss before taxes

-5 762

-1 946

Adjustments

3 048

2 429

Change in working capital

919

-3 470

Financial income and expenses and taxes

-1 096

-843

Flow of funds from operations

-2 891

-3 831

Investments in tangible and
intangible assets

-1 105

-1 879

Increase caused by the change in Group structure

-18

0

Income from sales of tangible
and intangible assets

399

8 934

Repayments of loans

1

1

Flow of funds from investments

-723

7 055

Share issue

1 728

0

Increase of the interest-bearing liabilities

4 166

5 329

Decrease of the interest-bearing liabilities

-2 101

-8 338

Flow of funds from financial items

3 793

-3 009

Change of liquid funds         

179

215

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY,
IFRS 1000 EUR
1000 EUR
Changes in shareholders’ equity
1.9.2011 – 31.8.2012

Share capital

Share premium account

Reserve for invested unrestricted equity

Reserve fund

Translation differences

Re-
tained
earn-
ings

Total

Non-controlling interests

Total

Shareholders’ equity in the beginning of the fiscal period

2 872

6

0

1 995

29

-351

4 552

1 217

5 768

Total comprehensive income

0

0

0

0

27

-7 567

-7 540

0

-7 540

Transactions with owners:
Share issue

0

0

2 100

0

0

0

2 100

0

2 100

Transaction costs for equity

0

0

-372

0

0

0

-372

0

-372

Increase in interest in subsidiary

0

0

1 112

0

0

105

1 217

0

1 217

Decrease in interest in subsidiary

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

-1 217

-1 217

Deferred taxes’ share of periods movements

0

0

91

0

0

0

91

0

91

Shareholders’ equity at the end of the period

2 872

6

2 931

1 995

56

-7 813

47

0

47

Changes in shareholders’ equity
1.9.2010 – 31.8.2011

Share capital

Share premium account

Reserve for invested unrestricted equity

Reserve fund

Translation differences

Re-
tained
earn-
ings

Total

Non-controlling interests

Total

Shareholders’ equity in the beginning of the fiscal period

2 872

6

0

1 995

41

1 864

6 778

1 110

7 888

Total comprehensive income

0

0

0

0

-12

-2 214

-2 226

107

-2 120

Shareholders’ equity at the end of the period

2 872

6

0

1 995

29

-351

4 552

1 217

5 768

SEGMENT INFORMATION, IFRS  
 
NET SALES BY OPERATING SEGMENTS, IFRS
1000 EUR

Interim
Report
1.3.2012-
31.8.2012
6 months

Interim
Report
1.3.2011-
31.8.2011
6 months

Interim
Report
1.9.2011-
31.8.2012
12 months

Annual
Report
1.9.2010-
31.8.2011
12 months

 
 
Vaahto Paper Technology

11 461

22 214

28 966

39 653

 
Vaahto Process Technology

10 361

8 196

19 399

15 707

 
Net sales
between segments

-56

-6

-106

-42

 
Group total

21 765

30 404

48 259

55 318

 
 
NET SALES BY MARKET AREAS,  IFRS
1000 EUR

Interim
Report
1.3.2012-
31.8.2012
6 months

Interim
Report
1.3.2011-
31.8.2011
6 months

Interim
Report
1.9.2011-
31.8.2012
12 months

Annual
Report
1.9.2010-
31.8.2011
12 months

 
 
Finland

7 352

7 497

20 614

14 176

 
Other Europe

11 674

8 346

21 346

16 828

 
Asia

2 512

13 737

5 620

23 096

 
Africa

-221

363

147

425

 
North America

55

137

138

436

 
Other

393

324

393

356

 
Group total

21 765

30 404

48 259

55 318

 
 
OPERATING PROFIT OR
LOSS BY OPERATING
SEGMENTS, IFRS
1000 EUR

Interim
Report
1.3.2012-
31.8.2012
6 months

Interim
Report
1.3.2011-
31.8.2011
6 months

Interim
Report
1.9.2011-
31.8.2012
12 months

Annual
Report
1.9.2010-
31.8.2011
12 months

 
 
Vaahto Paper Technology

-2 263

476

-4 352

-102

 
Vaahto Process Technology

363

-461

-486

-1 202

 
Operating profit or
loss between segments

-15

7

-2

0

 
Group total

-1 915

22

-4 839

-1 304

 
 
 
TOTAL AVERAGE NUMBER OF PERSONNEL BY OPERATING SEGMENTS

Interim
Report
1.3.2012-
31.8.2012
6 months

Interim
Report
1.3.2011-
31.8.2011
6 months

Interim
Report
1.9.2011-
31.8.2012
12 months

Annual
Report
1.9.2010-
31.8.2011
12 months

 
 
Vaahto Paper Technology

210

220

215

223

 
Vaahto Process Technology

121

134

121

125

 
Group total

331

354

336

348

 
 
Figures are in thousand euros unless stated otherwise. Figures are unaudited.  
 
 
NOTES REQUIRED BY IAS 34  
 
Accounting principles  
 
The Interim Report was drawn up according to the same accounting principles and calculation methods as the previous financial statements for the fiscal period that ended on 31 August 2011.  
 
 
Dividends paid  
 
During the period under the review, Vaahto Group Plc Oyj paid no dividends.  
 

Lahti, 10 October 2012

VAAHTO GROUP PLC OYJ

Board of Directors

 

Information:

Ari Viinikkala

Vaahto Group Plc Oyj

acting CEO

tel. +358 400 127664

Vaahto Group is a globally operating high technology company serving process industry in the fields of pulp and paper machinery and process machinery.