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MAX Automation SE

Quarterly Report Nov 7, 2025

278_rns_2025-11-07_ba0afc41-89fd-4093-abb9-70c6b7f01ec8.pdf

Quarterly Report

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MAX Automation SE

QUARTERLY STATEMENT III.2025

Highlights

  • Order intake up year-on-year thanks to a sustained market recovery at NSM + Jücker and strong follow-up orders at ELWEMA
  • EBITDA in Q3 showed positive momentum, but was burdened by lower capacity utilisation overall at the beginning of the year and non-recurring expenses from cost-cutting measures
  • Operating cash flow recorded significant cash inflow due to optimised working capital

Key Share Data 9M 2025

Ticker/ISIN MXHN/DE000A2DA588 Number of shares 41.24 million Closing price EUR 5.80 (30/09/2025)* Highest/lowest price EUR 6.26/EUR 5.10 Price performance** -5.5% Market capitalisation EUR 239.2 million (30/09/2025)

Financial Calendar 2025

German Equity Forum 25 November 2025

Note

As accounting in accordance with IFRS 5 (Accounting for non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations) at group level has no material impact on the asset, financial and earnings position, no distinction is made between continuing and discontinued operations in the commentary, and no detailed commentary on discontinued operations is provided. Information on the discontinued operation iNDAT can be found on page 11 of this statement.

Statement by the Managing Directors

In the first nine months of 2025, the MAX Group once again demonstrated its resilience in a challenging market environment and set the course for stability and profitability. Improved order intake indicates a revival in customer ordering activity, despite continued subdued investment activity in several sales markets as well as geopolitical uncertainties and customs risks. The main growth drivers were the NSM + Jücker segments, which received major orders in packaging automation, and ELWEMA, which once again underpinned its strong market position with follow-up orders.

Although Group sales after the first three quarters of 2025 were below the previous year's level, business activity picked up in the third quarter after a weak first half of the year. Operating earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) were impacted by lower capacity utilisation at the beginning of the year and temporarily postponed order completions. In addition, non-recurring expenses in the low single-digit million euro range were incurred in connection with the cost-cutting measures initiated in the summer. These measures form the basis for an improvement in profitability in the future.

The significant improvement in operating cash flow, which reflects the successful optimisation of working capital with an increased inflow of funds, is particularly worth mentioning. This was due in particular to advance payments received for new projects and more efficient cash flow management in the bdtronic Group, Vecoplan Group and ELWEMA segments. Net debt was reduced to a large extent as a result of the repayment of long-term loans, while the equity ratio remained stable at a high level.

Furthermore, we also set strategic priorities to strengthen the market position of our portfolio companies in future-oriented fields. With the acquisition of Pla.to GmbH, the Vecoplan Group is expanding its range of services in plastics recycling and can now offer integrated solutions along the entire process chain, from shredding to dry and wet cleaning, from a single source.

Despite the continuing challenges – in particular geopolitical uncertainties and volatile demand in certain markets – the MAX Group is looking to the future with confidence. The structural and cost-cutting measures that have been introduced are strengthening the company's competitiveness and creating the conditions for an improvement in earnings in the future.

Looking ahead to 2025 as a whole, the MAX Group confirms the guidance adjusted in July, which assumes sales of between EUR 300 million and EUR 340 million and EBITDA of between EUR 12 million and EUR 18 million. The measures aimed at increasing efficiency, the improved cash flow situation and the current order backlog form a solid basis for further business development.

* Closing prices on the Xetra trading system of Deutsche Börse AG ** Comparison of the price on 30/09/2025 with the price on 30/12/2024

Group figures at a glance

Order intake
264.6
233.5
Order backlog
171.2
154.3
Working capital

85.4
105.3
Sales
246.3
273.1
EBITDA
9.3
24.9
Employees
1,537
1,560
Headquarters
Sales
2.9
2.3
EBITDA
-5.7
67.9
n/a
bdtronic Group
Sales
53.2
72.9
EBITDA
-0.4
4.1
n/a
Vecoplan Group
Sales
114.7
117.8
EBITDA
6.7
11.2
AIM Micro
Sales
4.0
5.2
EBITDA
0.7
1.5
NSM + Jücker
Sales
30.1
38.3
EBITDA
2.2
2.9
ELWEMA
Sales
43.7
38.5
EBITDA
5.6
4.2
Other
Sales
0.4
0.4
EBITDA
0.3
0.0
n/a
in EUR million 01/01/-30/09/2025 01/01/-30/09/2024 Change
13.3%
11.0%
-18.9%
-9.8%
-62.4%
-1.5%
24.7%
-27.1%
-2.6%
-40.1%
-23.4%
-53.7%
-21.3%
-25.5%
13.5%
33.5%
3.2%

* Comparison of reporting dates 30 September 2025 to 31 December 2024

KEY FIGURES OF THE GROUP

Order intake and order backlog

(in EUR million)

  • The MAX Group's order intake rose by 13.3% to EUR 264.6 million in the first three quarters of 2025 (9M 2024: EUR 233.5 million). The trend towards increased customer ordering activity continued in the various segments.
  • The main growth drivers were the NSM + Jücker segment with major orders in packaging automation and ELWEMA with continuous follow-up orders. The bdtronic Group recorded growing order intake with new orders in dispensing technology.
  • Accordingly, the order backlog rose by 11.0% to EUR 171.2 million at the end of the third quarter of 2025 (31 December 2024: EUR 154.3 million).

Sales and EBITDA

  • The MAX Group's sales declined by 9.8% to EUR 246.3 million in the first three quarters of 2025 (9M 2024: EUR 273.1 million). Following a weaker first half of the year, there was a noticeable catch-up effect in the third quarter. Exports accounted for 74.0% of sales (9M 2024: 77.9%).
  • The total performance decreased by 10.5% to EUR 239.1 million (9M 2024: EUR 267.2 million) due to the aforementioned change in sales as well as reductions in inventories.
  • The MAX Group's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) were down 62.4% to EUR 9.3 million (9M 2024: EUR 24.9 million) as a result of lower capacity utilisation at the beginning of the year and the lack of earnings contributions from temporarily postponed order realisations. In addition, non-recurring expenses in the low single-digit million range were incurred in connection with cost-cutting measures. The EBITDA margin decreased accordingly to 3.8% (9M 2024: 9.1%).

Cash flow

(in EUR million)

  • The MAX Group's cash flow from operating activities resulted in a cash inflow of EUR 23.6 million in the first three quarters of 2025 (9M 2024: cash outflow of EUR 2.7 million). The significant optimisation of working capital in the bdtronic Group, Vecoplan Group and ELWEMA segments had a noticeable impact.
  • Cash flow from investing activities resulted in a cash outflow of EUR 3.9 million (9M 2024: cash inflow of EUR 60.9 million). Investments in replacements and expansion as well as the acquisition of Pla.to GmbH by the Vecoplan Group were offset by the sale of a building. The same period of last year was marked by the sale of the MA micro Group.
  • Cash flow from financing activities mainly due to the reduction in long-term loans and interest payments resulted in a cash outflow of EUR 20.8 million (9M 2024: cash inflow of EUR 86.3 million). The same period of the previous year was mainly characterised by the reduction in long-term loans due to the sale of the MA micro Group.

Working capital

(in EUR million)

As of 30 September 2025, working capital of EUR 85.4 million was significantly below the level of the previous year's reporting date (31 December 2024: EUR 105.3 million). In addition to a reduction in inventories, working capital decreased mainly due to advance payments received for new projects as well as improved payment terms.

Net debt

  • Net debt (including leasing) of the MAX Group declined to EUR 41.8 million as of 30 September 2025 (31 December 2024: EUR 58.2 million), mainly due to the repayment of long-term loans. Net debt (excluding leasing) decreased accordingly to EUR 26.8 million as of 30 September 2025 (31 December 2024: EUR 40.8 million).
  • The MAX Group's equity declined by 3.4% to EUR 191.8 million at the end of the third quarter of 2025 (31 December 2024: EUR 198.4 million). Besides the net income for the period, changes from currency translation had a particularly noticeable impact. At 55.2%, the equity ratio remained stable at the previous year's level (31 December 2024: 54.6%).

SEGMENT KEY FIGURES

bdtronic Group

Order intake and order backlog

(in EUR million)

  • Order intake in the bdtronic Group segment rose by 9.6% to EUR 55.5 million (9M 2024: EUR 50.6 million). Following the declines at the beginning of the year, the market recovery that began in the first half of the year continued to strengthen, particularly in the dispensing technology segment.
  • At the end of the third quarter of 2025, the order backlog rose by 5.2% to EUR 35.6 million (31 December 2024: EUR 33.9 million).

Sales and EBITDA

  • Sales were down 27.1% to EUR 53.2 million (9M 2024: EUR 72.9 million) due to project postponements by customers and lower overall demand. A catch-up effect in the third quarter led to an improvement after a weaker first half of the year.
  • EBITDA fell disproportionately to sales to EUR -0.4 million (9M 2024: EUR 4.1 million) as a result of the current cost structures. In addition, non-recurring expenses in connection with the cost-cutting measures initiated had a noticeable impact. The EBITDA margin decreased accordingly to -0.7% (9M 2024: 5.6%).

Vecoplan Group

Order intake and order backlog

(in EUR million)

  • Order intake in the Vecoplan Group segment rose by 1.5% to EUR 114.2 million (9M 2024: EUR 112.5 million). The recycling/ waste sector in particular saw growth.
  • The order backlog at the end of the third quarter of 2025 decreased by 3.6% to EUR 52.5 million (31 December 2024: EUR 54.4 million).

Sales and EBITDA

  • Sales declined by 2.6% to EUR 114.7 million (9M 2024: EUR 117.8 million). Following a weaker first half of the year, there was a noticeable catch-up effect in the third quarter.
  • EBITDA fell disproportionately to sales by 40.1% to EUR 6.7 million (9M 2024: EUR 11.2 million) as a result of the current cost structures. In addition, non-recurring expenses in the low singledigit million euro range in connection with the cost-cutting measures initiated had a noticeable impact. The EBITDA margin decreased accordingly to 5.8% (9M 2024: 9.5%).

AIM Micro

Order intake and order backlog

(in EUR million)

  • Order intake in the AIM Micro segment rose by 23.7% to EUR 5.1 million (9M 2024: EUR 4.1 million).
  • The order backlog increased by 50.0% to EUR 3.2 million at the end of the third quarter of 2025 (31 December 2024: EUR 2.2 million).

Sales and EBITDA

  • Sales declined by 23.4% to EUR 4.0 million (9M 2024: EUR 5.2 million) as revenue from new orders is recognised on a deferred basis.
  • EBITDA declined by 53.7% to EUR 0.7 million (9M 2024: EUR 1.5 million) due to sales and product mix. Accordingly, the EBITDA margin was 17.6%, below the previous year's level (9M 2024: 29.1%).

NSM + Jücker

Order intake and order backlog

(in EUR million)

  • Order intake in the NSM + Jücker segment rose by 79.9% to EUR 38.7 million (9M 2024: EUR 21.5 million).
  • The positive trend of rising investment activity in packaging automation continued. In press automation, on the other hand, investment decisions continue to be delayed despite sustained high demand.
  • The order backlog increased by 42.4% to EUR 28.6 million at the end of the third quarter of 2025 (31 December 2024: EUR 20.1 million).

Sales and EBITDA

  • Sales, on the other hand, declined by 21.3% to EUR 30.1 million (9M 2024: EUR 38.3 million) as revenue from new orders is recognised on a deferred basis.
  • EBITDA decreased accordingly by 25.5% to EUR 2.2 million (9M 2024: EUR 2.9 million). The EBITDA margin declined to 7.2% (9M 2024: 7.6%).

ELWEMA

Order intake and order backlog

(in EUR million)

  • Order intake in the ELWEMA segment rose by 14.0% to EUR 51.1 million (9M 2024: EUR 44.8 million). Thanks to additional major orders in the second quarter of 2025, the company was able to build on the successes of the same period of last year and at the same time lay the foundation for follow-up orders in the third quarter.
  • As a result, the order backlog increased by 17.2% to EUR 51.3 million at the end of the third quarter of 2025 (31 December 2024: EUR 43.8 million).

Sales and EBITDA

  • Sales rose by 13.5% to EUR 43.7 million (9M 2024: EUR 38.5 million). This means that business development returned to positive momentum after a decline in the first half of the year due to project postponements and completed contract effects.
  • EBITDA improved disproportionately to sales by 33.5% to EUR 5.6 million (9M 2024: EUR 4.2 million) thanks to optimisations in project management. The EBITDA margin rose accordingly to 12.7% (9M 2024: 10.8%).

Other

As in the previous year, order intake and order backlog for the Other segment are reported at EUR 0 million due to processing and liquidation. As in the previous year, the subletting of a building resulted in revenue of EUR 0.4 million (9M 2024: EUR 0.4 million). EBITDA amounted to EUR 0.3 million (9M 2024: EUR 0.0 million) due to the reversal of provisions.

Discontinued operation

iNDAT

Due to the ongoing liquidation process, order intake, order backlog, sales and EBITDA for the discontinued operation segment iNDAT are reported at EUR 0 million, as in the previous year.

DEVELOPMENTS AS OF THE FOURTH QUARTER

No further events of particular significance to the MAX Group's asset, financial and earnings position took place after the end of the reporting period.

The continuing weakness of the industrial economy and the resulting reluctance to invest continue to shape the business performance of MAX Automation SE, prompting the company to revise its guidance for the current financial year 2025 downwards on 15 July. Based on how the business is currently developing, the company expects sales of between EUR 300 million and EUR 340 million (initially: EUR 340 million to EUR 400 million) and operating EBITDA of between EUR 12 million and EUR 18 million (initially: EUR 21 million to EUR 28 million).

OUTLOOK

The Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW) expects the global economy to slow down in 2025. Following strong growth in the summer months, higher US tariffs and the end of advance deliveries are likely to put the brakes on international trade. According to the IfW, global economic growth is likely to fall to 3.0% (2024: 3.3%) and decline further to 2.8% in 2026. The economy is not expected to pick up again until 2027, when it is likely to grow by around 3.0%, but this will still be below the longterm average of around 3.5%.1

According to the IfW, the German economy will remain weak overall in 2025. After two years of stagnation, the gross domestic product is expected to grow only slightly by 0.1% this year. Although falling inflation rates and rising real wages are gradually supporting private consumption, the weak industrial economy, high energy prices and subdued investment activity are slowing down the recovery. The IfW does not expect a somewhat stronger expansion of 1.3% until 2026, driven in particular by an expansionary fiscal policy. 2

After production in the German mechanical and plant engineering sector declined significantly by 8% in 2024, the industry association VDMA expects a further decline in priceadjusted production of 5% in 2025. Initially, a decline of only 2% had been expected, but weak domestic demand, high energy and financing costs, and global trade conflicts are weighing more heavily on the capital goods industry than previously assumed. In the first half of 2025, production was already around 4.5% below the previous year's level.3 For 2026, the VDMA is again forecasting a slight increase of 1%, supported by an expected upturn in export markets and more stable economic conditions.4

1 https://www.kielinstitut.de/fileadmin/Dateiverwaltung/IfW-Publications/fisimport/0fd184ef-027a-44ff-ad81-af0a5c561c91-_KKB_126_2025-Q3_Welt_DE_.pdf

2 https://www.kielinstitut.de/fileadmin/Dateiverwaltung/IfW-Publications/fisimport/8139d2e0-cf86-44da-bca8-e603fa49f720-KKB_127_2025-Q3_Deutschland_DE..pdf

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

ASSETS 30/09/2025 31/12/2024
EUR thousand EUR thousand
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment 52,640 52,591
Investment properties 3,223 3,425
Intangible assets 6,370 5,074
Goodwill 21,714 21,761
Right-of-use assets 11,747 14,979
Non-current financial assets 64,467 65,087
Deferred tax assets 19,912 22,290
Total non-current assets 180,073 185,207
Current assets
Inventories 69,371 79,395
Contract assets 32,488 34,356
Trade receivables 43,453 43,195
Other current financial assets 2,136 3,539
Tax refund claims 4,479 3,043
Other current assets 5,640 3,452
Cash and cash equivalents 9,875 8,987
Assets held for sale 0 2,588
Total current assets 167,442 178,555
Total assets 347,515 363,762

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 30/09/2025 31/12/2024
EUR thousand EUR thousand
Equity
Subscribed capital 41,243 41,243
Capital reserve 55,571 55,571
Retained earnings 68,452 69,698
Revaluation reserve 12,083 12,476
Reserve for remeasurements of defined benefit plans 126 124
Revaluation reserve for financial assets recognised at fair value through other comprehensive income 15,760 16,508
Reserve for exchange rate differences -1,447 2,815
Capital and reserves attributable to the owners of MAX Automation SE 191,788 198,435
Total equity 191,788 198,435
Non-current liabilities
Long-term loans 34,500 49,617
Non-current lease liabilities 10,783 13,756
Deferred tax liabilities 9,015 10,584
Liabilities from defined benefit pension plans 529 529
Non-current provisions 5,634 5,567
Other non-current liabilities 427 15
Total non-current liabilities 60,888 80,068
Current liabilities
Trade payables and other liabilities 51,932 48,041
Contract liabilities 26,920 21,807
Current loans 2,174 159
Income tax liabilities 4,949 4,834
Current lease liabilities 4,225 3,642
Current provisions 4,639 6,776
Total current liabilities 94,839 85,259
Total equity and liabilities 347,515 363,762

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

01/01-30/09/2025 01/01-30/09/2024 01/07-30/09/2025 01/07-30/09/2024
EUR thousand EUR thousand EUR thousand EUR thousand
Sales 246,278 273,090 91,880 84,924
Change in finished goods and work-in-progress -7,455 -6,683 -3,527 984
Own work capitalised 250 779 4 327
Total performance 239,073 267,186 88,357 86,235
Other operating income 9,976 12,191 2,033 6,682
Result from the valuation of investment properties -202 -146 -67 -49
Cost of materials -105,478 -118,728 -41,878 -39,668
Personnel expenses -95,248 -95,776 -31,301 -31,157
Depreciation and amortisation -9,354 -8,603 -3,108 -3,045
Other operating expenses -38,772 -39,832 -11,724 -12,703
Operating result -5 16,292 2,312 6,295
Investment income 3,059 1,402 0 0
Financial income 172 120 89 15
Financing expenses -4,906 -10,231 -1,528 -3,362
Financial result -1,675 -8,709 -1,439 -3,347
Earnings before income taxes -1,680 7,583 873 2,948
Income taxes -1,383 -2,485 -1,216 -671
Result from continuing operations -3,063 5,098 -343 2,277
Earnings after taxes from discontinued operations -33 51,993 -32 52,012
Annual result -3,096 57,091 -375 54,289
thereof attributable to non-controlling interests 0 0 0 0
thereof attributable to shareholders of MAX Automation SE -3,096 57,091 -375 54,289
Other comprehensive income that is never to be reclassified to
the income statement -658 4,716 1,072 3,186
Revaluation of land and buildings 89 0 89 0
Actuarial gains and losses on employee benefits 0 0 0 0
Income taxes on actuarial gains and losses 1 0 1 0
Changes in the fair value of financial investments in equity
instruments -748 4,716 982 3,186
Other comprehensive income that may be reclassified to the -4,261 -499 -52 -1,459
income statement
Change arising from currency translation -4,261 -499 -52 -1,459
Total comprehensive income -8,015 61,308 645 56,016
thereof attributable to non-controlling interests 0 0 0 0
thereof attributable to shareholders of MAX Automation SE -8,015 61,308 645 56,016
Earnings per share (diluted and undiluted) in EUR -0.08 1.38 -0.01 1.32
thereof from continuing operations in EUR -0.08 0.12 -0.01 0.06
thereof from discontinued operations in EUR 0.00 1.26 0.00 1.26

CONSOLIDATED STATMENT OF CASH FLOWS

01/01-30/09/2025 01/01-30/09/2024
EUR thousand EUR thousand
Cash and cash equivalents at the start of the reporting period 8,987 26,616
Cash flow from operating activities 23,619 -2,721
Cash flow from investing activities -3,915 60,914
Cash flow from financing activities -20,769 -86,336
Effect of changes in exchange rates 1,472 181
Change in cash and cash equivalents due to changes in the scope of consolidation 481 18,332
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period 9,875 16,986

SEGMENT REPORTING

Segment bdtronic Group Vecoplan Group
Reporting period 01/01-30/09/2025 01/01-30/09/2024 01/01-30/09/2025 01/01-30/09/2024
EUR thousand EUR thousand EUR thousand EUR thousand
Order intake 55,500 50,628 114,202 112,483
Order backlog 35,625 29,653 52,485 57,993
Working capital 37,003 46,009 31,790 26,928
Segment sales 53,182 72,940 114,713 117,783
EBITDA -375 4,110 6,686 11,152
EBITDA margin (in %; in relation to sales) -0.7% 5.6% 5.8% 9.5%
Average number of employees, excluding trainees 545 557 546 546
Segment AIM Micro NSM + Jücker
Reporting period 01/01-30/09/2025 01/01-30/09/2024 01/01-30/09/2025 01/01-30/09/2024
EUR thousand EUR thousand EUR thousand EUR thousand
Order intake 5,050 4,084 38,662 21,485
Order backlog 3,228 2,196 28,574 22,635
Working capital 1,344 1,280 10,349 12,691
Segment sales 3,983 5,201 30,148 38,293
EBITDA 700 1,512 2,175 2,919
EBITDA margin (in %; in relation to sales) 17.6% 29.1% 7.2% 7.6%
Average number of employees, excluding trainees 25 25 247 258
Segment ELWEMA Other
Reporting period 01/01-30/09/2025 01/01-30/09/2024 01/01-30/09/2025 01/01-30/09/2024
EUR thousand EUR thousand EUR thousand EUR thousand
Order intake 51,147 44,847 0 0
Order backlog 51,283 52,661 0 0
Working capital 5,237 15,204 -2 -8
Segment sales 43,664 38,487 439 425
EBITDA 5,558 4,162 294 -39
EBITDA margin (in %; in relation to sales) 12.7% 10.8% 67.0% -9.2%
Average number of employees, excluding trainees 160 160 0 0

Segment Reconciliation Group
Reporting period 01/01-30/09/2025 01/01-30/09/2024 01/01-30/09/2025 01/01-30/09/2024
EUR thousand EUR thousand EUR thousand EUR thousand
Order intake 0 0 264,561 233,527
Order backlog 0 0 171,195 165,138
Working capital -346 -130 85,375 101,974
Segment sales 149 -39 246,278 273,090
EBITDA -5,690 1,079 9,348 24,895
EBITDA margin (in %; in relation to sales) - - 3.8% 9.1%
Average number of employees, excluding trainees 14 14 1,537 1,560

CONTACT

Marcel Neustock Investor Relations MAX Automation SE

Phone: +49 40 80 80 582 75

e-mail: [email protected]

Web: www.maxautomation.com

MEDIA CONTACT

Susan Hoffmeister CROSS ALLIANCE communication GmbH

Phone: +49 89 125 09 03 33 e-mail: [email protected] Web: www.crossalliance.de

This Quarterly Statement is also available in German. In the event of differences, the German version shall take precedence. The financial reports of MAX Automation SE and interim reports are available in digital form on the internet at www.maxautomation.com in the "Investor Relations/Financial Reports" section.

DISCLAIMER

This Quarterly Statement contains forward-looking statements on the business, earnings, financial and asset position of MAX Automation SE and its subsidiaries. These statements are based on the company's current plans, estimates, forecasts and expectations and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual development to differ materially from the expected development. The forward-looking statements are only valid at the time of publication of this Quarterly Statement. MAX Automation SE does not intend to update the forward-looking statements and does not assume any obligation to do so.

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