- Incoming orders CHF 222.6 million; +42% compared to H1 2014
- Net sales at constant exchange rates at previous year’s level (+0.4%); in Swiss Francs CHF 124.4 million compared to CHF 129.0 million in H1 2014
- EBITDA improved to CHF -32.7 million after CHF -55.2 million in H1 2014
- Operating cash flow substantially improved to CHF -28.0 million compared with CHF -98.7 million in H1 2014
- Targets for entire fiscal year 2015 confirmed
As expected, Meyer Burger (SIX Swiss Exchange: MBTN) achieved a substantial increase in incoming orders during the first half of 2015, most importantly with photovoltaic technologies such as Heterojunction cell coating equipment, MB PERC technology on the MAiA 2.1 platform as well as with wafer and module measurement technologies. Incoming orders increased by 42% compared to the previous year period and amounted to CHF 222.6 million. At constant exchange rates, net sales slightly increased by 0.4%. The strong valuation of the Swiss Franc, especially against the Euro, led to negative currency effects of 3.9%. As a result, net sales amounted to CHF 124.4 million and were about 3.6% below the previous year’s period. It should be mentioned that a large number of machines was awaiting acceptance by customers at the balance sheet date and will only become relevant in terms of sales during the coming months. With the increase in production capacities at the site in Hohenstein-Ernstthal and the planned increase in deliveries scheduled for the upcoming months, Meyer Burger expects substantially higher net sales during the second half of 2015.
The operating expenses were 15% (CHF 17.7 million) lower than in the previous year period, which confirms that Meyer Burger is on track to reach the targeted CHF 30 million in cost savings for the full year 2015. The EBITDA amounted to CHF -32.7 million and reflects these cost savings. The operating cash flow reached CHF -28.0 million for the first half of 2015 and also improved substantially compared to the previous year period.
