Earnings Release • Nov 9, 2017
Earnings Release
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Multiconsult ASA third quarter 2017 result
Multiconsult ASA third quarter results were impacted by a negative calendar
effect of one less working day compared to the same period last year. The
billing ratio was low, reflecting lower project activity and resources allocated
to implementation of the new ERP system. Significant frame agreement for
Fornebubanen was awarded in September. Acquisition of Hjellnes Consult and Johs
Holt was successfully completed, in line with 3-2-1 GO strategic objectives.
Oslo, 9 November 2017 - Multiconsult delivered a third quarter net operating
revenue growth of 9.8 per cent to NOK 608.8 million year on year, reflecting
higher production due to net recruitment and acquisition of Iterio AB and aarhus
arkitekterne A/S among others. The new ERP system was implemented in September.
Start-up issues and training, together with lower project activity impacted the
billing ratio, which fell to 66.6 per cent. There was a negative calendar effect
of one less working day this quarter, impacting net operating revenues. Billing
rates were at similar levels to last year.
EBIT amounted to NOK 10.5 million in the third quarter, a decrease of 69.4 per
cent year on year, due to higher operating expenses.
Year to date net operating revenues increased by 11.9 per cent year on year to
NOK 2 147.4 million. The increase in net operating revenues was mainly driven by
higher production due to acquisitions as well as net recruitment.
Year to date EBIT amounted to NOK 120.7 million, a decrease of 26.1 per cent
year on year, reflecting higher employee benefit expenses, which grew due to
ordinary salary adjustment and increased headcount as well as non-recurring
expenses including implementation of new ERP system.
"Third quarter is traditionally a challenging quarter due to summer holidays,
however I am not pleased with the earnings this quarter, although much of the
reason being the ERP implementation. I am very excited about the award of the
significant and professionally prestigious frame agreement for Fornebubanen. The
acquisition of Hjellnes Consult and Johs Holt is finalised and the integration
work is in progress. This is a big step towards realisation of the 3-2-1 GO
strategic objectives for Norway", says CEO of Multiconsult ASA Christian
Nørgaard Madsen.
The order backlog at the end of the third quarter was NOK 2 107.9 million, an
increase of 27.6 per cent year on year. The order backlog of the Hjellnes group
of NOK 153.4 million is reported as order intake and included in order backlog
as of 30 September 2017.
Among important new contracts this quarter was Multiconsult Polska's work on the
Elk - Korsze railway line with PKP Polish Railway in Poland, as well as
Multiconsult UK's power utility identification and evaluation with ZESCO, the
Zambian national power utility. Important add-ons to existing contracts this
quarter were Intercity Haug - Halden and Bergheim healthcare facilities in
Norway as well as Mount Coffee in Liberia.
As of 30 September 2017, total assets amounted to NOK 1 662.6 million, and total
equity amounted to NOK 586.2 million, reflecting the issue of equity in
connection with the acquisition of the Hjellnes group. The group held cash and
cash equivalents of NOK 156.0 million. Interest bearing debt amounted to NOK
336.4 million, while net interest bearing debt amounted to NOK 180.3 million.
The overall market outlook remains fairly positive. Current market rates have
stabilised, the increase cost level for the Norwegian workforce has led to
challenging profitability for the industry in general. Multiconsult's strong
market position, flexible business model and wide service offering provides a
sound base for further growth, both domestic and international. Multiconsult
will work to intensify its efforts on sales, billing ratio improvement, strong
project execution and efficiency throughout the organisation to improve
profitability and secure profitable growth.
A presentation of the third quarter 2017 results will be held today, 9 November,
at 09:00 CET at Hotel Continental, Stortingsgaten 24/26, Oslo.
The presentation will be held by CEO Christian Nørgaard Madsen and CFO Anne
Harris.
A live webcast from the presentation can be accessed at www.multiconsult-ir.com
and http://webtv.hegnar.no/presentation.php?webcastId=67474677
For further information, please contact:
Investor relations:
Mirza Koristovic, Head of Investor Relations
Phone: +47 93 87 05 25
E-mail: [email protected]
Media:
Gaute Christensen, VP Communications
Phone: +47 911 70 188
E-mail: [email protected]
This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5
-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.
ABOUT MULTICONSULT
Multiconsult is a leading Norwegian multidisciplinary engineering consulting
company, with more than 2 800 employees and 45 offices in Norway and abroad. The
Company focuses on six business areas: Buildings & Properties, Transport,
Renewable Energy, Oil & Gas, Industry and Water & Environment. The Company has
an operating history that spans more than a century, with the inception of Norsk
Vandbygningskontor in 1908.
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