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Basler AG

Quarterly Report May 18, 2015

45_10-q_2015-05-18_36276a6e-26d1-4360-a4a5-8d356137602b.pdf

Quarterly Report

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THREE-MONTH REPORT

Key Figures

Q1 2013 Q1 2014 Q1 2015 Changes to
in € m* previous year
Sales revenues 15.1 17.2 22.3 30 %
Incoming orders 17.6 19.3 21 9 %
Gross results 7.6 8.7 10.9 25 %
Gross profit margin 50.3 % 50.6 % 48.9 % -2 Pp.
Full costs for research and
development
2.2 2.8 2.9 4 %
Research and development ratio 14.6 % 16.3 % 13.0 % -3 Pp.
EBITDA 3.3 3.7 4.5 22 %
EBIT 2.0 2.3 3.2 39 %
EBT 1.8 1.9 3.0 58 %
Net income 1.2 1.3 2.3 77 %
Weighted average number of shares 3,324,192 3,237,476 3,176,492 -2 %
Result per share (€) 0.35 0.39 0.72 85 %
Cash flow from operating activities 1.9 1.6 1.6 0 %
Cash flow from investing activities -1.2 -1.8 -2.9 61 %
Free Cash flow 0.7 -0.2 -1.3 550 %
12/31/2013 12/31/2014 03/31/2015 Changes to
in € m* previous year
Total assets 63.3 72.3 75.4 4 %
Long-term assets 35.6 38.8 40.5 4 %
Equity 32.5 37.3 39.8 7 %
Liabilities 30.8 35.0 35.6 2 %
Equity ratio 51.3 % 51.6 % 52.8 % 1 Pp.
Net cash 3.7 4.5 2.3 -49 %
Working Capital 13.7 17.1 19.8 16 %
Number of employees for the fiscal
year (full time equivalents)
325 375 417 11 %
Share price (XETRA) in € 29.00 38.66 50.98 32 %
Number of shares in circulation 3,238,184 3,181,136 3,174,944 0 %
Market capitalization 93.9 123.0 161.9 32 %

*unless otherwise stated

OVERVIEW, OF THE FIRST THREE MOUNTH 2015:

Incoming orders:

€ 21.0 million (previous year: € 19.3 million, +9 %)

Sales:

€ 22.3 million (previous year: € 17.2 million, +30 %)

EBIT:

€ 3.2 million (previous year: € 2.3 million, +39 %)

  • Pretax result (EBT): € 3.0 million (previous year: € 1.9 million, +58 %)
  • Operating cash flow: € 1.6 million (previous year: € 1.6 million)
  • Free cash flow:

€ -1.3 million (previous year: € -0.2 million)

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

Basler AG started with convincing results into the new fiscal year.

In a similar economic environment as in the previous year and strengthened by a high number of incoming orders placed in the previous quarter, in the first quarter of the fiscal year 2015, Basler AG again gained market shares and significantly increased its sales compared to the previous year. In particular, the double-digit percentage sales growth is clearly above the expectations published for fiscal year 2015 by the German Engineering Federation (Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau, VDMA) for the German image processing market (approximately 5 %).

Driven by higher sales and economies of scale in the expenses for personnel and material the result considerably increased compared to the first quarter of the previous year.

The results of the first quarter 2015 prove that Basler AG continues to make major progress towards its mediumterm sales goal of € 120 million and further expands its position in the market of digital industrial cameras.

INTERIM GROUP MANAGEMENT REPORT Profit situation

Incoming orders, sales, and gross profit

Incoming orders for the group summed up to € 21.0 million (previous year: € 19.3 million, +9 %) in the first three months. Sales revenue for the group amounted to € 22.3 million in the first three months (previous year: € 17.2 million, +30 %). In 2015, 31 % of the sales revenues derived from the Asian market (previous year: 30 %), 51 % from the European market (previous year: 51 %), and 18 % from the North American market (previous year: 19 %). Despite a positive dollar effect and lower depreciations on developments, the group's gross profit decreased by almost 2 percentage points to 49 % (previous year: 51 %), particularly due to changes in the product mix and material devaluations.

Costs

In the first three months, expenses for sales and marketing amounted to € 3.7 million and thus were above the previous year's figure of € 3.0 million which is mainly due to the expansion of the sales organization for developing future growth. The general administration costs amounted to € 3.5 million (previous year: € 2.5 million). The increase of the administration costs is strongly influenced by currency losses due to forward exchange transactions of approximately € 700 thousand. In contrast to this, currency gains amounting to € 500 thousand are, however, shown under other operating income. The full costs for research and development amounted to € 2.9 million, corresponding to an increase of 4 % compared to the previous year's figure of € 2.8 million. We continue to pursue our strategy to invest 15 % of sales in research and development. These costs include ongoing product updating, as well as expenses for the expansion of the product portfolio for existing and new markets.

Result

In the first three months of 2015, Basler AG achieved earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) for the group of € 3.2 million (previous year: € 2.3 million, + 39 %). This corresponds to an EBIT margin of 14 % (previous year: 13 %). The earnings before taxes amounted to € 3.0 million. This result exceeds the EBT of € 1.9 million generated in the same period of the previous year by 58 %. The pretax return rate amounted to 13.5 % (previous year: 11 %) and was thus above the corridor of 9 to 10 % predicted for fiscal year 2015. The increased EBT margin is in particular due to the execution of a major order that was placed in the fourth quarter of 2014 and thus is included in the forecasts for the entire year. The additional sales from this major order lead to higher gross revenues as well as economies of scale in personnel and material costs.

Cash flow, liquid assets, and equity

The operating cash flow amounted to € 1.6 million (previous year: € 1.6 million) in the reporting period. Regarding the operating cash flow it should be added that it was extraordinarily affected by a growth in receivables due to the significant payment of bonus obligations to the management board and executives from the fiscal year 2014. Additionally, with higher investments in fixed assets amounting to € 2.9 million (previous year: € 1.8 million), the free cash flow (calculated as operating cash flow less cash flow from investments) amounted to € -1.3 million (previous year: € -0.2 million). The higher investment level is in particular explained by the investment made in the expansion of the pick and place circuit board system and the reconstruction measures in the company building.

At the end of the reporting period, liquid assets amounted to € 10.4 million and were thus 21 % above the level of the same period of last year (€ 8.6 million).

The equity increased to € 39.8 million at the end of the reporting period (previous year € 33.7 million, + 18 %). The net cash position amounted to € 2.3 million (previous year: € 2.7 million, -15 %) at the reporting date.

Business development

In the first quarter, Basler AG again set a new benchmark for sales and consistently continued to pursue its course of growth. Positively influenced by a major project order in the previous quarter, sales revenues increased significantly.

Incoming orders in the first three months of the current fiscal year were above the previous year's level (+ 9%). Thus, Basler AG again grew faster than the market. For 2015, the German Engineering Federation (Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau, VDMA) assumes a growth rate of approximately 5 % for the German image processing industry. Due to Basler AG's strategic focus on the mainstream and entry level of the industrial camera market the delivered camera units again increased disproportionately compared to the sales. The increases in the number of units and sales are mainly due to industrial cameras with Gigabit Ethernet interface (GigE Vision).

The recently launched entry level product lines "Basler dart" and "Basler pulse" as well as the new lenses that were developed in cooperation with Fujinon met a high level of interest in the market. Additionally, "Basler ace" products based on a new and highly demanded Sony CMOS-image sensor were introduced to the market in the first quarter.

The scheduled expansion and the development of the sales structure were strongly pushed forward in the first quarter of 2015, for example, a direct sales presence was set up in Canada.

Also by expanding and modernizing the pick and place circuit board system in the production, in the first quarter the right steps were taken for further future growth and technological progress in operations.

Employees

The number of employees of the Basler group was 417 on the reporting date (previous year: 351, +19 %). The regional allocation is as follows:

Headquarters
Ahrensburg, Germany:
357 (previous year: 297)
Subisidiary in the USA: 19 (previous year: 17)
Subsidiary in Taiwan: 11 (previous year: 10)
Subsidiary in Singapore: 22 (previous year: 18)
Representative offices
in Korea, China and Japan:
8 (previous year: 9)

Outlook

For Basler AG, fiscal year 2015 has started successfully according to our budget planning. We implemented the intended steps of our planned growth strategy and have again grown stronger than the image processing market.

For the time being, we reaffirm our planning according to which the group's sales in 2015 will be within a corridor of € 81 million to € 84 million and a pretax return rate of 9 to 10 %. On the basis of the positive results of the first quarter we will decisively push forward our growth strategy in the course of the year.

The Basler share

In the beginning of the first quarter 2015, the Basler share opened at a share price of € 38.66. Following the publication of the preliminary business figures of fiscal year 2014, the share price increased to more than € 50.00. This positive development strengthened the share by the end of the quarter. The share closed at a price € 50.98 at the end of the quarter. The average daily trading volume in the first quarter was approximately 3,358 units. The market capitalization of Basler AG amounted to € 161.9 million at the end of the first quarter (12/31/2014: € 123.0 million, +32 %).

After having carried out four share buyback programs, the management board informed the Basler shareholders on June 30, 2014, that Basler AG will buy back bearer shares with an equivalent value of up to a maximum of € 3.5 million via the stock market in order to make full use of the resolution of the shareholders' meeting of June 4, 2014, authorizing the company to buy back up to a total of 10 % of own shares. In the first quarter of 2015, the company bought back 6,192 own shares and owns 9.29 % of the total number of bearer shares of Basler AG.

As of March 31, 2015, the management board and the supervisory board held the following shares:

03/31/2015
Number of
shares in
pieces
03/31/2014
Number of
shares in
pieces
Management board
Dr. Dietmar Ley 144,794 144,358
John P. Jennings 5,500 5,500
Arndt Bake 700 700
Hardy Mehl 450 321
Supervisory board
Norbert Basler 1,816,891 1,816,891
Prof. Dr. Eckart
Kottkamp - -
Konrad Ellegast 1,280 1,280

Corporate Governance – Declaration of compliance pursuant to section 161 AktG

The management board and the supervisory board declare that in the elapsed fiscal year 2014 Basler AG complied with the recommendations for conduct as amended on May 13, 2013 as well as on June 24, 2014 by the "Government Commission of the German Corporate Governance Code" (hereinafter called "code") with the following exceptions:

Clause 3.8, Paragraph 3 - D&O Insurance Deductible for the Supervisory Board

Clause 3.8, paragraph 3, of the code sets forth that an appropriate deductible should be stipulated when the company takes out a D&O insurance policy for the supervisory board. The D&O insurance coverage for the management board comprises a deductible according to statutory provisions. However, the insurance policy does not provide for a deductible for the members of the supervisory board. The management board and the supervisory board are convinced that responsible action is a self-evident obligation for all members of the company's executive bodies. Therefore, a deductible for the members of the supervisory board is not necessary.

Clause 4.2.5, Paragraph 3 – Composition and Remuneration (Granted Benefits for the Reporting Year)

Please see no. 28.3 in the notes of the annual report 2014.

Clause 5.3 - Establishment of Committees within the Supervisory Board

The supervisory board does not establish any committees. The supervisory board of Basler AG comprises three persons. This configuration ensures efficient work in all matters of the supervisory board, especially as the generally accepted minimum size for a committee is a membership of three.

Clause 5.4.1 - Composition of the Supervisory Board

For nominations to the general meeting, the supervisory board will also in the future continue to align itself to all necessary legal requirements and will emphasize the candidates' professional and personal qualifications independent of gender. Consideration will also be given to the international activities of the company, to potential conflicts of interest, and to diversity. Basler AG does not state specific pertinent goals in these areas.

Clause 6.3 – Share Ownership of Members of the Management Board and the Supervisory Board

With regard to the share ownership, the management board and the supervisory board declare pursuant to clause 6.3: The total share ownership of all members of the management board and the supervisory board exceeds 1 % of the total of shares issued by the company. You will find a detailed overview in this report under "The Basler share".

The declaration of compliance with the code and the constantly updated related compliance can be accessed on Basler website's Investors area (www.baslerweb. com/investors). If you have any questions regarding the corporate governance code please contact the compliance officer of Basler AG Dr. Dietmar Ley (CEO), Tel. +49 4102 - 463 100, [email protected]

SELECTED EXPLANATORY NOTES

Principles and methods

As already the consolidated annual financial statements as of December 31, 2014, these consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as valid and mandatorily applicable on the reporting date. In particular, application has been made of the interim financial reporting requirements set out in IAS 34. The present quarterly report was neither reviewed by an auditor nor reviewed in accordance with § 317 of the Handelsgesetzbuch (HGB, German Commercial Code).

All interim financial statements of companies included in the consolidated interim financial statements were prepared according to uniform accounting and valuation principles that were also applied for the preparation of the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2014.

There have been no changes to the group of consolidated companies compared to the consolidated annual financial statements as of December 31, 2014.

Declaration of the legal representatives

We affirm to the best of our knowledge that the interim consolidated financial statements, in accordance with the accounting principles applicable to interim reporting, provide a true and fair view of the group's asset, financial, and earnings situation and that the group's interim annual represents a true and fair picture of the course of business, including the operating result, and the group's financial situation as well as describing the essential opportunities and risks concomitant with the expected development of the group during the remainder of the fiscal year.

The management board

Dr. Dietmar Ley John P. Jennings

(CEO) (CCO)

Arndt Bake Hardy Mehl

(CMO) (CFO/COO)

Consolidated Profit and Loss Statement

Group´s annual balance sheet according to IFRS for the fiscal year from January 1, 2015 to March 31, 2015

in € k 01/01/ -
03/31/2015
01/01/ -
03/31/2014
Sales revenues 22,317 17,238
Cost of sales -11,371 -8,565
- of which depreciations on capitalized developments -696 -865
Gross profit on sales 10,946 8,673
Other operating income 1,050 454
Sales and marketing costs -3,732 -2,994
General administration costs -3,503 -2,473
Research and development -1,456 -1,253
Other expenses -112 -136
Operating result 3,193 2,271
Financial income 124 7
Financial expenses -311 -416
Financial result -187 -409
Earnings before tax 3,006 1,862
Income tax -709 -587
Group´s quarterly surplus 2,297 1,275
of which are allocated to
shareholders of the parent company 2,297 1,275
non-controlling shareholders 0 0
Average number of shares 3,176,492 3,237,121
Earnings per share diluted / undiluted (€) 0.72 0.39

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

in € k 01/01/ -
03/31/2015
01/01/ -
03/31/2015
Group's period surplus 2,297 1,275
Result from differences due to currency conversion, directly
recorded in equity
441 3
Surplus / Net loss from cash flow hedges 0 0
Total result, through profit or loss 441 3
Total result 2,738 1,278
of which are allocated to
shareholders of the parent company 2,738 1,278
non-controlling shareholders 0 0

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

in € k 01/01/ -
03/31/2015
01/01/ -
03/31/2014
Operating activities
Group's period surplus 2,297 1,275
Increase (+) / decrease (-) in deferred taxes 273 399
Payout / incoming payments for interest 335 432
Depreciation of fixed assets 1,310 1,382
Change in capital resources without affecting payment 441 3
Increase (+) / decrease (-) in accruals -441 206
Profit (-) / loss (+) from asset disposals 0 -11
Increase (-) / decrease (+) in reserves -412 -1,870
Increase (+) / decrease (-) in advances from demand -174 -125
Increase (-) / decrease (+) in accounts receivable -2,996 -1,368
Increase (-) / decrease (+) in other assets -421 269
Increase (+) / decrease (-) in accounts payable 814 925
Increase (+) / decrease (-) in other liabilities 593 126
Net cash provided by operating activities 1,619 1,643
Investing activities
Payout for investments in fixed assets -2,980 -1,828
Incoming payments for asset disposals 62 29
Net cash provided by investing activities -2,918 -1,799
Financing activities
Payout for amortisation of bank loans -222 -100
Payout for amortisation of finance lease -347 -326
Incoming payment for borrowings from banks 0 0
Interest payout -335 -432
Payout for own shares -247 -42
Dividends paid 0 0
Net cash provided by financing activities -1,151 -900
Change in liquid funds -2,450 -1,056
Funds at the beginning of the period 12,812 9,665
Funds at the end of the period 10,362 8,609
Composition of liquid funds at the end of the period
Cash in bank and cash in hand 10,362 8,609
Payout for taxes 359 19

Group Balance Sheet

in € k 12/31/2014
Assets
A. Long-term assets
I.
Intangible assets
18,375 17,380
II.
Fixed assets
6,163 5,365
III. Buildings and land in finance lease 15,835 16,008
IV. Other financial assets 5 5
V.
Deferred tax assets
104 58
40,482 38,816
B. Short-term assets
I.
Inventories
12,961 12,550
II.
Receivables from deliveries and services and from
production orders
9,959 6,963
III. Other short-term financial assets 326 351
IV. Other short-term assets 863 507
V.
Claim for tax refunds
421 342
VI. Cash in bank and cash in hand 10,362 12,812
34,892 33,525
75,374 72,341

Group Balance Sheet

in € k 03/31/2015 12/31/2014
Liabilities
A. Equity
I Subscribed capital 3,175 3,181
II. Capital reserves 0 0
III. Retained earnings including group's earnings 35,987 33,931
IV. Other components of equity 636 195
39,798 37,307
B. Long-term debt
I. Long-term liabilities
1. Long-term liabilities to banks 7,190 7,413
2. Other financial liabilities 16 0
3. Liabilities from finance lease 11,184 11,531
II. Non-current provisions 796 796
III. Deferred tax liabilities 2,966 2,647
22,152 22,387
C. Short-term debt
I. Other financial liabilities 2,796 2,286
II. Short-term accrual liabilities 3,288 3,861
III. Short-term other liabilities
1. Liabilities from deliveries and services 3,082 2,277
2. Other short-term financial liabilities 1,271 1,369
3. Liabilities from finance lease 2,154 2,154
IV. Current tax liabilities 833 700
13,424 12,647
75,374 72,341

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

Group´s annual balance sheet according to IFRS for the fiscal year from January 1, 2015 to March 31, 2015

Other components of equity
in € k Subscribed
capital
Capital
reserve
Retained
earnings
incl. group's
earnings
Differences
due to
currency
conversion
Reserves for
cash flow
hedges
Sum of other
components of
equity
Total
Shareholders´
equity
as of 01/01/2014
3,238 0 29,376 -154 0 -154 32,460
Total result 0 0 1,275 3 0 3 1,278
Share buyback -1 0 -41 0 0 0 -42
Shareholders´equity
as of 03/31/2014
3,237 0 30,610 -151 0 -151 33,696
Total result 0 0 6,903 346 0 346 7,249
Share buyback -56 0 -2,063 0 0 0 -2,119
Dividend
outpayment*
0 0 -1,519 0 0 0 -1,519
Shareholders´equity
as of 12/31/2014
3,181 0 33,931 195 0 195 37,307
Total result 0 0 2,297 441 0 441 2,738
Share buyback -6 0 -241 0 0 0 -247
Shareholders´equity
as of 03/31/2015
3,175 0 35,987 636 0 636 39,798

* 0.47 € per share

Events 2015

Finance Events

Date Venue
05/21/2015 Shareholders' meeting 2015 Hamburg, Germany
08/05/2015 Publication 6-month report 2015 Ahrensburg, Germany
11/04/2015 Publication 9-month report 2015 Ahrensburg, Germany

Shows and Conferences

Date Venue
05/19-20/2015 NEW-TECH 2015 EXHIBITION Tel Aviv, Israel
06/10-12/2015 Exhibition on Sensing via Image Information Japan Yokohama, Japan
06/24-27/2015 Assembly Technology Thailand Bangkok, Thailand
07/01-03/2015 Vision China, Shenzhen Shenzhen, China
08/27-30/2015 Taipei Int'l Industrial Automation Exhibition Taipeh, Taiwan
10/14-16/2015 Vision China, Beijing Peking, China
11/03-07/2015 China International Industry Fair Shanghai, China
11/18-19/2015 All-over-IP Expo 2015 Moskau, Russland
11/18-21/2015 Metalex Thailand Bangkok, Thailand
12/02-04/2015 International Technical Exhibition on
Image Technology and Equipment Japan
Yokohama, Japan

BASLER AG An der Strusbek 60-62 22926 Ahrensburg Tel. +49 4102 463 0 Fax +49 4102 463 109

baslerweb.com

BASLER, INC. 855 Springdale Drive, Suite 203 Exton, PA 19341 Tel. +1 610 280 0171 Fax +1 610 280 7608

BASLER ASIA PTE. LTD. 35 Marsiling Industrial Estate Road 3 Singapore 739257 Tel. +65 6367 1355 Fax +65 6367 1255 [email protected]

BASLER VISION TECHNOLOGIES

TAIWAN INC. Hsinchu County 30268 Taiwan/R.O.C. Fax +886 3 5583956

BASLER KOREA REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE Tel. +82 707 1363 114 Fax +82 707 0162 705

BASLER CHINA (SHANGHAI) REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE Tel. +86 21 6230 2160

BASLER CHINA (SHENZHEN)

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