Villeroy & Boch AG

Earnings Release • Feb 9, 2017

News Details

Corporate | 9 February 2017 11:00

Villeroy & Boch AG: Villeroy & Boch in the 2016 financial year

DGAP-News: Villeroy & Boch AG / Key word(s): Final Results

09.02.2017 / 11:00
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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Press Release
Mettlach, 9 February 2017

Villeroy & Boch in the 2016 financial year:

* Consolidated revenue up 3.3 % on a constant currency basis and 2.0 % in
nominal terms to EUR 820.1 million

* EBIT improves by 9.4 % to EUR 47.6 million

* Group result up 6.6 % year-on-year to EUR 29.1 million

Consolidated revenue up 3.3 % on a constant currency basis

In the 2016 financial year, the Villeroy & Boch Group increased its revenue
by 3.3 % year-on-year to EUR 820.1 million on a constant currency basis,
i.e. assuming unchanged exchange rates against the previous year. In
nominal terms, revenue increased by 2.0 % or EUR 16.3 million.
Robust growth was achieved on the Group's home market of Germany, where
revenue rose by EUR 13.6 million or 6.0 % to EUR 241.4 million. In the
other markets of Europe, the Group recorded revenue growth in the Czech
Republic (+11.7 %), the Benelux countries (+5.5 %), Austria (+4.3 %) and
Sweden (+2.4 %) in particular. Revenue also returned to moderate growth in
France following several years of falling revenue due to economic factors
(+0.6 %). Revenue declined in the United Kingdom (-5.2 %), attributable to
the weakness of the pound sterling. In Russia, revenue fell by 7.8 % as a
result of the sustained weakness of the local currency and economy. The
Asia/Australia/Africa region saw revenue growth of 7.9 % thanks in
particular to the positive performance in China, the most important market
in the region (+35.2 %). At EUR 47.9 million, revenue in the Americas
region was down 7.8 % on the previous year; due amongst other things to
exchange rate effects resulting from the weak development of the Mexican
peso.

Consolidated EBIT up 9.4 % year-on-year

In the 2016 financial year, earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT)
improved by 9.4 % to EUR 47.6 million (previous year: EUR 43.5 million).
This was due largely to the positive revenue development and effective cost
management. Consolidated EBIT also includes non-recurring income of EUR 1.7
million from the sale of the plant property in Gustavsberg, Sweden
(previous year: EUR 1.4 million). The Group result improved by 6.6 % to
EUR 29.1 million.

Development in the divisions

The Bathroom and Wellness Division increased its nominal revenue by 5.5 %
to EUR 524.4 million in the 2016 financial year. On a constant currency
basis, divisional revenue rose by 7.3 %. The division improved its revenue
by 10.5 % in Germany. In Western Europe, Spain (+19.3 %), the Benelux
countries (+8.6 %) and Austria (+4.5 %) saw the strongest revenue growth.
The main reasons for the increasing revenue in Western Europe were the
strength of the Group's bathroom furniture business - where revenue rose by
12.3 % to EUR 54.0 million, thereby exceeding EUR 50 million for the first
time - and the sustained upturn in demand for rimless DirectFlush WCs. In
Eastern Europe, the highest revenue growth was recorded in Ukraine (+44.0
%) and Hungary (+10.2 %). Revenue declined in Switzerland (-18.4 %), Russia
(-11.8 %) and Italy (-7.8 %). China saw strong revenue growth of 32.2 %
thanks in particular to the extremely successful ViClean shower toilet
collection.
The operating result (EBIT) in the division improved by 10.4 % to EUR 36.2
million on the back of the positive revenue development, efficient
administrative cost management and lower commodity and energy costs.

The Tableware Division generated revenue of EUR 295.7 million in the 2016
financial year (-3.6 %), corresponding to a decrease of 3.1 % on a constant
currency basis. Revenue development was affected by the decision to
intensify the division's focus on higher-margin trade channels, as well as
taking a more cautious approach to special offers and shifting some of its
secondary brand business to its licence business. In terms of earnings, the
resulting reduction in revenue was almost entirely offset by the additional
licence income generated. At EUR 86.2 million, revenue in Germany was down
1.4 % on the previous year. In Europe, revenue also declined in France
(-2.5 %) and the United Kingdom (-9.9 %). The latter was due to the
depreciation of the pound sterling, without which revenue would have risen
by +0.9 %. Business in Russia enjoyed positive development (+18.3 %).
Outside Europe, China saw particularly pronounced revenue growth (+82.9 %)
thanks to strong project business with hotels and restaurants. At the same
time, however, revenue declined in Japan (-24.5 %) and the Middle East
(-17.9 %). The division's e-commerce business again enjoyed positive
performance across all sales markets (+7.9 %).
The operating result in the Tableware Division increased by 4.3 % to EUR
9.7 million in the 2016 financial year. The main reasons were successful
inventory optimisation, growth in licence income and increased cost
discipline in terms of sales, marketing and development structures and
administrative expenses.

Orders on hand, operating cash flow and net liquidity

Orders on hand amounted to EUR 73.9 million as at 31 December 2016, up
significantly on the previous year (EUR 63.3 million). The Bathroom and
Wellness Division accounted for EUR 63.4 million of this figure, with the
remaining EUR 10.5 million attributable to the Tableware Division.
In 2016, the cash flow from operating activities improved by EUR 43.8
million to EUR 77.9 million. This was due to positive effects from the
revenue growth generated and the reduction in inventories and trade
receivables. These factors also accounted for the increase in net liquidity
to EUR 60.7 million (previous year: EUR 15.0 million).

Dividend

The Management Board and the Supervisory Board will propose to the General
Meeting of Shareholders on 24 March 2017 that the unappropriated surplus of
Villeroy & Boch AG be used to distribute a dividend in the amount of EUR
0.53 per preference share and EUR 0.48 per ordinary share, EUR 0.04 more
than in the previous year in each case.

Investments

Investments in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets amounted
to EUR 26.2 million in the past financial year. Of this figure, around
three quarters related to the Bathroom and Wellness Division, where
investment activity focused on modernisation measures and the acquisition
of new facilities. Investments in the Tableware Division concentrated on
the expansion and optimisation of the retail network and new technical
equipment.

Assessment of the company's position

"2016 was a good year for us. Despite negative exchange rate effects, we
succeeded in recording revenue and earnings growth once again," commented
Frank Göring, CEO of Villeroy & Boch AG.
For the 2017 financial year, the company is aiming to increase its
consolidated revenue by 3 % to 5 % accompanied by EBIT growth of between 5
% and 10 %.

Please find the complete Consolidated Financial Statements and Group
Management Report for the 2016 financial year as a PDF-file for download
here:
http://www.villeroyboch-group.com/en/investor-relations/publications/annua
l-reports.html

Further inquiry note:
Katrin May
Head of PR
Tel: (+49) 6864 81-2714
Fax: (+49) 6864 81-72714
Mail: may.katrin@villeroy-boch.com

or

Jessika Maria Rauch
Head of PR
Tel: (+49) 6864 81-1344
Fax: (+49) 6864 81-71344
Mail: rauch.jessika@villeroy-boch.com

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09.02.2017 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a
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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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Language: English
Company: Villeroy & Boch AG
Saaruferstraße 1-3
66693 Mettlach
Germany
Phone: +49 (0)6864 81-0
E-mail: information@villeroy-boch.com
Internet: www.villeroy-boch.de
ISIN: DE0007657231, DE0007657207
WKN: 765723
Listed: Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Regulated
Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Munich,
Stuttgart, Tradegate Exchange

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