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NORMA Group SE Interim / Quarterly Report 2016

May 4, 2016

311_10-q_2016-05-04_33dd0705-6399-4f2b-a5ae-2a8c77808992.pdf

Interim / Quarterly Report

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NORMA GROUP SE

Overview of Key Figures 2016

Q1 2016 Q1 2015 change in %
Order situation
Order book (31 Mar)
EUR millions 284.7 300.0 – 5.1
Income statement
Revenue EUR millions 226.6 221.5 2.3
Gross profit EUR millions 137.7 133.11 3.5
Adjusted EBITA1 EUR millions 40.1 39.2 2.2
Adjusted EBITA margin1 % 17.7 17.7 n/a
EBITA EUR millions 39.6 36.2 9.5
Adjusted profit for the period1 EUR millions 22.6 22.9 – 1.1
Adjusted EPS1 EUR 0.71 0.72 – 1.1
Profit for the period EUR millions 19.4 17.9 8.5
EPS EUR 0.61 0.56 8.5
Cash flow
Operating cash flow EUR millions 19.4 10.3 89.2
Operating net cash flow EUR millions 11.8 11.6 1.1
Cash flow from investing activities EUR millions – 11.1 – 10.5 5.7
Cash flow from financing activities EUR millions – 1.6 – 12.2 – 86.7
Balance sheet 31 Mar 2016 31 Dec 2015
Total assets EUR millions 1,164.1 1,167.9 – 0.3
Equity EUR millions 437.1 429.8 1.7
Equity ratio % 37.5 36.8 n/a
Net debt EUR millions 347.8 360.9 – 3.6
Non-financial control parameters Q1 2016 Q1 2015
Number of new patent applications 22 38 – 42.1
Defective parts per million (PPM) 17 14 21.4
Quality-related customer complaints per month 8 10 – 20.0
Employees 31 Mar 2016 31 Dec 2015
Core workforce 5,097 5,121 – 0.5
Share data
IPO April 2011
Stock exchange Frankfurt Stock Exchange, Xetra
Market segment Regulated Market (Prime Standard), MDAX
ISIN DE000A1H8BV3
Security identification number A1H8BV
Ticker symbol NOEJ
Highest price Q1 20162 EUR 51.540
Lowest price Q1 20162 EUR 39.895
Closing price as of 31 Mar 20162 EUR 49.230
Market capitalisation as of 31 Mar 20162 EUR millions 1,569
Number of shares 31,862,400

1 Adjustments are described in chapter Adjustments on p. 6. Date of publication: 4 May 2016

2 Xetra price.

4

Highlights First Quarter 2016

6 Course of Business

6 Earnings, Assets and Financial Position

9 Outlook

10

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

12 Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

16

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

18 Segment Reporting

20 Financial Calendar, Contact, Imprint

EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS

Highlights First Quarter 2016

DEVELOPMENT OF SALES Q1 2016

EFFECTS ON GROUP SALES

Currency effects – 0.2 – 0.1
Organic growth 5.2 2.4
Sales Q1 2015 221.5
in EUR millions share in %

DEVELOPMENT OF SALES CHANNELS

EJT DS
Q1 2016 Q1 2015 Q1 2016 Q1 2015
Group sales (in EUR millions) 139.0 138.9 86.6 81.8
Growth (in %) 0.1 5.8
Share of sales (in %) 61.6 62.9 38.4 37.1

COSTS OF MATERIALS AND COST OF MATERIALS RATIO1

PERSONNEL E X PENSES A ND PERSONNEL COST R ATIO

OT HER OPER ATING INCOME A ND E X PENSES ALSO IN RELATION TO SALES1

A D JUST ED EBITA A ND ADJUSTED EBITA MARGIN1

10

OPERATING NET CASH FLOW

Operating net cash flow 11.8 11.6
Investments from operating business – 9.5 – 10.5
Change in working capital – 24.1 – 22.4
(Adjusted) EBITDA1 45.4 44.5
in EUR millions Q1 2016 Q1 2015

CORE WORKFORCE BY SEGMENT

1 Adjustments are described in chapter Adjustments on p. 6.

Course of Business

NORMA Group's business developed as expected overall in the first quarter of 2016. Therefore none of the Company's relevant performance indicators deviated significantly from the forecast values.

Earnings, Assets and Financial Position

ADJUSTMENTS

In the first three months of 2016, depreciation of tangible assets from purchase price allocations in the amount of EUR 0.5 million (Q1 2015: EUR 0.6 million) was presented within EBITA (earnings before interest, taxes and amortisation of intangible assets) and amortisation of intangible assets from purchase price allocations in the amount of EUR 4.1 million (Q1 2015: EUR 4.4 million) was adjusted within EBIT as in previous years.

No further adjustments were made in the reporting period. In the same period of the previous year, expenses totalling EUR 2.5 million were adjusted within EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation of tangible assets and amortisation of intangible assets) in connection with the acquisition and integration of National Diversified Sales, Inc. (NDS).

EARNINGS POSITION

Order backlog

The order backlog amounted to EUR 284.7 million on 31 March 2016 and was thus 5.1% lower than in the comparable prior year period (31 Mar 2015: EUR 300.0 million).

Sales increased as expected

Group sales amounted to EUR 226.6 million in the first quarter of 2016 and were thus 2.3% higher than last year's level (Q1 2015: EUR 221.5 million).

As expected, organic growth in the first quarter of 2016 was positive compared to the prior year quarter and amounted to 2.4%. This was due to the positive developments of the European automotive industry and the water business. In contrast, the sustained weakness in the commercial vehicle and agricultural machinery sectors in the Americas had a negative impact on the development of sales for NORMA Group.

In addition, negative currency effects lowered the Group's sales growth by 0.1%.

ADJUSTMENTS*

in EUR millions Q1 2016
unadjusted
Total
adjustments
Q1 2016
adjusted
Revenue 226.6 0 226.6
Changes in inventories of finished goods and own work capitalised 0.7 0 0.7
Other own work capitalised 0.5 0 0.5
Raw materials and consumables used – 90.1 0 – 90.1
Gross profit 137.7 0 137.7
Other operating income and expenses – 29.1 0 – 29.1
Employee benefits expense – 63.2 0 – 63.2
EBITDA 45.4 0 45.4
Depreciation – 5.8 0.5 – 5.3
EBITA 39.6 0.5 40.1
Amortisation – 6.3 4.1 – 2.1
Operating profit (EBIT) 33.3 4.7 38.0
Financial costs - net – 4.7 0 – 4.7
Profit before income tax 28.6 4.7 33.3
Income taxes – 9.2 – 1.5 – 10.7
Profit for the period 19.4 3.2 22.6
Non-controlling interests 0.1 0 0.1
Profit attributable to shareholders of the parent 19.4 3.2 22.6
Earnings per share (in EUR) 0.61 0.71

* Deviations may occur due to commercial rounding.

Strong positive organic sales growth in the areas of DS; EJT strengthened by EMEA

NORMA Group posted sales of EUR 139.0 million in the EJT unit in the first quarter of 2016 and thus 0.1% more than in the same period of the previous year (Q1 2015: EUR 138.9 million). Sales of the DS unit, which has benefitted from the positive development in the area of water management, in particular, amounted to EUR 86.6 million and were thus 5.8% higher than in the first quarter of 2015 (EUR 81.8 million).

Improvement of the cost of materials ratio

Costs of materials amounted to EUR 90.1 million in the first quarter of 2016 and thus decreased by 1.0% compared to the same quarter of the previous year (Q1 2015: EUR 91.0 million adjusted). On the basis of revenues generated in the period January to March 2016, this resulted in a cost of materials ratio of 39.8%, which represents an improvement over the previous year (Q1 2015: 41.1% adjusted) of 1.3 percentage points.

In the same period last year, the adjustments made to the costs of materials are related in an amount of EUR 2.4 million to expenses for raw materials, which are a result of the remeasurement of acquired inventories within the purchase price allocation for the acquisition of NDS. The unadjusted cost of materials ratio was 42.2%.

Gross margin increased

Gross profit (sales less the cost of materials plus changes in inventories and other own work capitalised) amounted to EUR 137.7 million in the first quarter of 2016. This equates to an increase of 3.5% compared to the first quarter of 2015 (EUR 133.1 million adjusted). This results in an improved gross margin of 60.8% in relation to sales (Q1 2015: 60.1% adjusted).

Personnel cost ratio increases slightly

As of 31 March 2016, NORMA Group had 6,322 employees worldwide, including temporary workers, 5,097 of whom belong to the Company's core workforce. This means the total number of employees increased by 1.6% compared to the previous year (Q1 2015: 6,225) and that the core workforce grew by 2.6%.

Within the Americas and Asia-Pacific regions, the core workforce grew equally strongly by 2.1% each. This is partly due to the ramp up of another Distribution Center in the US. On the other hand, the core workforce in the Asia-Pacific region grew as a result of the building of a RE-Engineering Center. The number of employees in the EMEA region increased by 3.0% during the same period, mainly due to recruitment at the Serbian site. 2015 Annual Report, p. 70.

As a result of the higher average headcount, expenses for employee benefits also increased by 4.4% to EUR 63.2 million in the first quarter of 2016 compared to the same period last year (Q1 2015: EUR 60.6 million). Based on sales, this resulted in an increased personnel cost ratio of 27.9% (Q1 2015: 27.3%). This increase in the personnel cost ratio can mainly be attributed to temporary below average revenue development in the Americas region in the first quarter of 2016.

PERSONNEL DEVELOPMENT

2,883
1,435
779
5,097
1,225
2,798
1,405
763
4,966
1,259
31 Mar
2016
31 Mar
2015

Other operating income and expenses

In the first quarter of 2016, the balance of other operating income and expenses amounted to EUR – 29.1 million, which was 3.6% above the previous year's figure of EUR – 28.1 million (adjusted). This increase compared to the same period last year is due to the increased activities of NORMA Group. In relation to sales, other operating income and expenses increased slightly compared to the same period last year and amounted to 12.8% (Q1 2015: 12.7%). Selected Notes to the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, p. 11.

Within other operating income and expenses, acquisition-related costs in the amount of EUR 80 thousand were adjusted in the same period last year.

Improved EBITDA and adjusted EBITA

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) amounted to EUR 45.4 million in the first quarter of 2016 and were thus 2.0% above the previous year's figure (Q1 2015: EUR 44.5 million adjusted). This results in an EBITDA margin of 20.0% (Q1 2015: 20.1% adjusted).

Adjusted EBITA, which was adjusted for amortisation of tangible assets from purchase price allocations, amounted to EUR 40.1 million for the 3-month period January to March 2016. This represents a 2.2% increase over the previous year (Q1 2015: EUR 39.2 million). The resulting adjusted EBITA margin was unchanged compared to the same period last year at 17.7% and thus again remained at a sustained high level.

Currency related increase of financial expenditure

The financial result for the first quarter of 2016 amounted to EUR – 4.7 million. In the same quarter of last year, it amounted to EUR – 3.1 million. This change in the financial result is partly due to currency effects. Thus the high exchange rate volatility of the euro against the US dollar had a negative impact on the financial result, considering the dynamic security concept of current exposures. 2015 Annual Report, p. 146.

Adjusted earnings after taxes

Earnings after taxes adjusted for depreciation from purchase price allocations amounted to EUR 22.6 million in the reporting period and were thus 1.1% lower compared to the previous year (Q1 2015: EUR 22.9 million).

Adjusted income taxes for the reporting period from January to March 2016 amounted to EUR 10.7 million (Q1 2015: EUR 11.5 million). This results in a lower adjusted tax rate of 32.1% compared to the previous year (Q1 2015: 33.5%), which is mainly due to the inclusion of NORMA Group SE in the German tax group since 2015.

Adjusted earnings per share

Adjusted earnings per share amounted to EUR 0.71 in the first quarter of 2016 (Q1 2015: EUR 0.72). Unadjusted earnings per share were EUR 0.61 and thus 8.5% higher (Q1 2015: EUR 0.56).

NET ASSET POSITION

Total assets

Total assets as of 31 March 2016 amounted to EUR 1,164.1 million and were thus a slight 0.3% lower than at the end of 2015 (EUR 1,167.9 million).

Compared to 31 March 2015 (EUR 1,185.4 million), they declined by 1.8% as a result of the appreciation of the euro against the US dollar.

Assets impacted by currency effects

Non-current assets amounted to EUR 767.6 million as of 31 March 2016. This means they declined by 3.3% compared to the end of 2015 (EUR 793.6 million). This can be attributed for the most part to currency effects caused by the appreciation of the euro as of the reporting date and resulted in a decrease in goodwill, other intangible assets and fixed assets. Non-current assets accounted for 65.9% of total assets as of 31 March 2016.

Current assets amounted to EUR 396.5 million as of 31 March 2016 and thus rose by 5.9% compared to the end of 2015 (EUR 374.3 million). This increase resulted for the most part from the increase in trade receivables (EUR 15.9 million). By contrast, inventories decreased by EUR 4.6 million to EUR 125.3 million. Current assets accounted for 34.1% of total assets.

Compared to the previous year (31 Mar 2015: EUR 372.9 million), current assets rose by 6.3%.

Rise in (trade) working capital

(Trade) working capital (inventories plus receivables minus liabilities, both primarily from trade payables and trade receivables) was EUR 172.5 million as of 31 March 2016, and thus 13.5% higher than at the end of the year 2015 (EUR 151.9 million) for seasonal reasons. The increase resulted primarily from the expansion of business activities and the increase in trade receivables, but also from the reduction in liabilities from goods and services.

Compared to the previous year (31 Mar 2015: EUR 182.6 million), trade working capital declined by 5.5%. This can be attributed to the continued optimisation of working capital management.

Group equity ratio continues to improve

Group equity amounted to EUR 437.1 million on 31 March 2016 and was thus 1.7% higher than in December 2015 (EUR 429.8 million). This equates to an increased equity ratio of 37.5% (31 Dec 2015: 36.8%). The change in equity is mainly the result of the earnings for the period. By contrast, negative currency translation differences reduced Group equity. Selected Notes to the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, p. 14.

Net debt significantly lower

Net debt amounted to EUR 347.8 million as of 31 March 2016 and thus declined by 3.6% compared to the end of the year (31 Dec 2015: EUR 360.9 million). This includes derivative hedging instruments in the amount of EUR 4.4 million. The reduction in net debt essentially resulted from the decline in loan liabilities in US dollars from the syndicated credit line and the promissory note issued in financial year 2014 due to exchange rate effects, but also from the increase in cash and cash equivalents.

This resulted in gearing (net debt in relation to equity) of 0.80 (31 Dec 2015: 0.84) and leverage (net debt in relation to adjusted EBITDA) of 1.9 (31 Dec 2015: 2.0).

Lower non-current liabilities, higher current liabilities

Non-current liabilities amounted to EUR 563.8 million as of 31 March 2016 and were thus 2.0% lower than at the end of 2015 (EUR 575.4 million). This was due to the currency-related decline in financial liabilities in US dollars. This means non-current liabilities accounted for 48.4% of total assets (31 Dec 2015: 49.3%).

Current liabilities, on the other hand, increased slightly by 0.4% from EUR 162.6 million at the end of the year to EUR 163.2 million and thus accounted for 14.0% of total assets at the end of the reporting period (31 Dec 2015: 13.9%).

FINANCIAL POSITION

Group-wide financial management

For a more detailed overview of NORMA Group's general financial management, please refer to the 2015 Annual Report. 2015 Annual Report, p. 53.

Operating net cash flow

Operating net cash flow amounted to EUR 11.8 million for the 3-month period and was thus 1.1% higher than in the same quarter of last year (Q1 2015: EUR 11.6 million). This was mainly due to a year on year increase in EBITDA (prior year adjusted) and reduced capital expenditure (Q1 2016: EUR 9.5 million; Q1 2015: EUR 10.5 million). By contrast, changes in working capital had the opposite effect (Q1 2016: EUR 24.1 million; Q1 2015: EUR 22.4 million).

In relation to total sales, net operating cash flow for the period January to March 2016 was unchanged at 5.2%.

Cash flow from operating activities

Cash inflow from operating activities amounted to EUR 19.4 million for the reporting period January to March 2016 (Q1 2015: EUR 10.3 million) and rose mainly as a result of improved working capital management. Selected Notes to the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, p. 17.

Among other measures, NORMA Group uses a supplier-side reverse factoring programme to improve its working capital. An attempt is also made to optimise working capital on the customer side, however, by using the appropriate instruments, such as an Asset Backed Securities (ABS) programme, for example. 2015 Annual Report, p. 148.

Cash flow from investing activities

Cash flow from investing activities amounted to EUR – 11.1 million in the first quarter of 2016 (Q1 2015: EUR – 10.5 million) and was primarily influenced by payments made to purchase intangible assets and fixed assets (EUR 9.5 million). In addition, net payments for acquisitions from previous years (Q1 2016: EUR 1.6 million; Q1 2015: EUR 0.1 million) also had an impact on cash flow from investing activities.

NORMA Group invests the funds from its operating cash flow in further growth and in the maintenance of its production machinery. The investments in the first quarter of 2016 related mainly to the sites in Germany, Serbia, Poland, China and the US.

Cash flow from financing activities

Cash flow from financing activities for the period January to March 2016 amounted to EUR – 1.6 million (Q1 2015: EUR – 12.2 million). This mainly comprises cash flows from interest paid in the amount of EUR – 1.8 million (Q1 2015: EUR – 2.6 million). Furthermore, cash flow from financing activities was impacted by payments received in connection with hedging derivatives in the amount of EUR 0.3 million (Q1 2015: EUR – 10.0 million).

Outlook

The Management Board confirms the forecast published in the 2015 Annual Report without any changes. 2015 Annual Report, p. 77.

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

for the period from 1 January to 31 March 2016

in EUR thousands Q1 2016 Q1 2015
Revenue 226,565 221,486
Changes in inventories of finished goods and work in progress 734 2,259
Other own work capitalised 495 335
Raw materials and consumables used – 90,081 – 93,403
Gross profit 137,713 130,677
Other operating income 3,785 3,736
Other operating expenses – 32,882 – 31,889
Employee benefits expense – 63,228 – 60,557
Depreciation and amortisation – 12,071 – 11,903
Operating profit 33,317 30,064
Financial income 20 154
Financial costs – 4,707 – 3,295
Financial costs – net – 4,687 – 3,141
Profit before income tax 28,630 26,923
Income taxes – 9,199 – 9,017
PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD 19,431 17,906
Other comprehensive income for the period, net of tax
Other comprehensive income that can be reclassified to profit or loss, net of tax – 12,046 27,423
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations – 10,804 27,970
Cash flow hedges, net of tax – 1,242 – 547
Other comprehensive income for the period, net of tax – 12,046 27,423
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE PERIOD 7,385 45,329
Profit attributable to
Shareholders of the parent 19,374 17,838
Non-controlling interests 57 68
19,431 17,906
Total comprehensive income attributable to
Shareholders of the parent 7,331 45,372
Non-controlling interests 54 – 43
7,385 45,329
Undiluted earnings per share (in EUR) 0.61 0.56

Selected Notes to the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

REVENUE AND RAW MATERIALS AND CONSUMABLES USED

Revenue for the first three months of 2016 (EUR 226,565 thousand) was 2.3% higher than revenue for the first three months of 2015 (EUR 221,486 thousand).

The raw materials and consumables used increased disproportionately lower in relation to revenues, leading to a ratio of 39.8% (Q1 2015: 42.2%). Also in relation to the total value, raw materials and consumables used are, with a ratio of 39.5%, below last year's level (Q1 2015: 41.7%). In 2015, EUR 2,434 thousand, associated with the acquisition of NDS, were adjusted within expenses for raw materials and consumables used, leading to an adjusted ratio of 40.6% in Q1 2015.

OTHER OPERATING INCOME AND OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES

Other operating income in the first three months of 2016 totaled EUR 3,785 thousand, which was EUR 49 thousand higher than in the first three months of 2015 (EUR 3,736 thousand). Other operating income included, in particular, operational currency gains in the amount of EUR 2,292 thousand (Q1 2015: EUR 2,955 thousand), government grants and reversals from provisions as well as from accruals for compensation elements for employees.

Other operating expenses for the first three months of 2016 (EUR 32,882 thousand) were 3.1% higher than other operating expenses for the first three months of 2015 (EUR 31,889 thousand). In relation to the total value, other operating expenses increased slightly disproportionately higher with a ratio of 14.4% (Q1 2015: 14.2%). Other operating expenses included currency losses in the amount of EUR 1,885 thousand (Q1 2015: EUR 2,741 thousand). The composition of other operating expenses did not change significantly compared to financial year 2015.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS EXPENSE

In the first three months of 2016, employee benefits expense amounted to EUR 63,228 thousand compared to EUR 60,557 thousand in the first three months of 2015. This 4.4% increase is mainly due to an increase in the average headcount in the first three months of 2016 compared to the first three months of 2015. In relation to the total value, employee benefits expense increased slightly disproportionately higher with a ratio of 27.8% (Q1 2015: 27.0%).

Average headcount was 5,117 in the first three months of 2016 (Q1 2015: 4,900).

FINANCIAL RESULT

The financial result for the first three months of 2016 (EUR – 4,687 thousand) changed by EUR – 1,546 thousand compared to the first three months of 2015 (EUR – 3,141 thousand). In the first three months of 2016, net foreign exchange gains / losses (including income / expense from the valuation of foreign exchange derivatives) amounted to EUR – 1,624 thousand (Q1 2015: EUR 1,020 thousand). Net interest expenses (EUR 2,864 thousand) decreased by EUR 1,132 thousand in the first three months of 2016 compared to the first three months of 2015 (EUR 3,996 thousand).

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as of 31 March 2016

ASSETS

Non-current assets 335,821
Goodwill 343,829 346,551
Other intangible assets 256,181 271,009 288,314
Property, plant and equipment 166,879 169,939 163,157
Other non-financial assets 227 234 318
Income tax assets 457 458 911
Deferred income tax assets 8,032 8,105 13,179
767,597 793,574 812,430
Current assets
Inventories 125,312 129,902 130,789
Other non-financial assets 15,328 13,711 12,100
Other financial assets 3,902 3,856 2,621
Derivative financial assets 2,063 248 675
Income tax assets 6,189 3,772 2,559
Trade and other receivables 138,765 122,865 147,800
Cash and cash equivalents 104,957 99,951 76,389
396,516 374,305 372,933
Total assets 1,164,113 1,167,879 1,185,363

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

in EUR thousands 31 March 2016 31 Dec 2015 31 March 2015
Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent
Subscribed capital 31,862 31,862 31,862
Capital reserves 210,323 210,323 216,603
Other reserves 9,085 21,128 30,030
Retained earnings 184,974 165,600 134,056
Equity attributable to shareholders 436,244 428,913 412,551
Non-controlling interests 864 898 816
Total equity 437,108 429,811 413,367
Liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Retirement benefit obligations 11,878 11,951 12,457
Provisions 10,507 10,842 6,799
Borrowings 435,274 443,711 367,149
Other non-financial liabilities 1,234 1,368 1,726
Other financial liabilities 658 681 4,174
Derivative financial liabilities 4,238 2,510 3,443
Deferred income tax liabilities 99,976 104,380 117,760
563,765 575,443 513,508
Current liabilities
Provisions 9,820 9,972 6,714
Borrowings 7,889 7,056 79,308
Other non-financial liabilities 33,470 28,653 27,846
Other financial liabilities 4,508 6,019 2,281
Derivative financial liabilities 185 876 31,882
Income tax liabilities 15,751 9,172 14,420
Trade and other payables 91,617 100,877 96,037
163,240 162,625 258,488
Total liabilities 727,005 738,068 771,996
Total equity and liabilities 1,164,113 1,167,879 1,185,363

Selected Notes to the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Intangible assets are as follows:

Carrying amounts
in EUR thousands 31 March 2016 31 Dec 2015
Goodwill 335,821 343,829
Customer lists 179,268 190,749
Licenses, rights 644 717
Software 9,518 10,384
Trademarks 43,320 45,586
Patents & technology 12,271 13,203
Internally generated intangible assets 6,024 6,259
Intangible assets, other 5,136 4,111
Total 592,002 614,838

The change in goodwill from EUR 343,829 thousand as of 31 December 2015 to EUR 335,821 thousand as of 31 March 2016 resulted from foreign exchange differences, mainly from the USD area.

The change in goodwill is summarised as follows:

in EUR thousands
Balance as of 31 December 2015 343,829
Currency effect – 8,008
Balance as of 31 March 2016 335,821

For details regarding the historical development of the cumulative amortisation and impairments, please refer to 2015 Annual Report. 2015 Annual Report, p. 138.

Tangible assets are as follows:

Carrying amounts
in EUR thousands 31 March 2016 31 Dec 2015
Land and buildings 58,000 59,258
Machinery & tools 71,465 75,318
Other equipment 13,664 13,320
Assets under construction 23,751 22,043
Total 166,879 169,939

In the first three months of 2016, EUR 8,584 thousand were invested in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, including own work capitalised in the amount of EUR 495. The main focus of investments was on expansion in Germany, Serbia, Poland, China and the USA. There were no major disinvestments.

CURRENT ASSETS

The increase in current assets is due to an increase in trade receivables resulting from the increased sales volume in the first quarter of 2016 compared to the last quarter of 2015. Furthermore, cash and cash equivalents increased by EUR 5,006 thousand despite cash outflows from investing activities in the amount of EUR 11,106 thousand.

EQUITY

Changes in equity resulted from the profit for the period (EUR 19,431 thousand), exchange differences on translation of foreign operations (EUR – 10,804 thousand) and cash flow hedges (EUR – 1,242 thousand). Furthermore, NORMA Group paid out dividends to non-controlling interests in the amount of EUR 88 thousand in the first three months of 2016.

FINANCIAL DEBT

NORMA Group's net debt is as follows:

31 March 2016 31 Dec 2015
443,163 450,705
3,312
157 74
0 62
247 289
4,919 6,411
452,752 460,853
104,957 99,951
347,795 360,902
4,266

NORMA Group's financial debt decreased by 1.8% from EUR 460,853 thousand as of 31 December 2015 to EUR 452,752 thousand as of 31 March 2016. The decrease within the bank borrowings is due to effects from changes in the exchange rates on the USD portion of parts of the syndicated bank facilities issued in December 2015 and of the promissory note issued in financial year 2014. A slightly opposite effect results from the increase in the negative market value of the hedging derivatives. The decrease in other financial liabilities is due to the repayment of the contingent consideration resulting from the acquisition of National Diversified Sales, Inc. in 2014.

Compared to 31 December 2015 (EUR 360,902 thousand), net debt decreased by EUR 13,107 thousand or 3.6% to EUR 347,795 thousand. An increase in cash and cash equivalents in the amount of EUR 5,006 thousand as well as a decline in USD

financial liabilities due to changes in the exchange rate positively influenced net debt, whereby valuation effects on derivatives had negative effects on net debt.

The increase in cash and cash equivalents results from the increase of net cash provided by operating activities which overcompensated the cash outflows from investing and financing activities.

The maturity of the syndicated bank facilities and the promissory note on 31 March 2016 is as follows:

0 32,946 210,551 100,371
4,861 4,861 87,502 0
up to 1
year
> 1 year
up to 2
years
> 2 years
up to 5
years
> 5 years

Parts of the syndicated bank facilities and the majority of tranches of the promissory note with variable interest rates are hedged against interest rate changes. The derivative liability increased from EUR 2,510 thousand as of 31 December 2015 to EUR 4,238 thousand as of 31 March 2016.

OTHER NON-FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

The other non-financial liabilities are as follows:

in EUR thousands 31 March 2016 31 Dec 2015
Non-current
Government grants 1,180 1,316
Other liabilities 54 52
1,234 1,368
Current
Government grants 94 0
Non-income tax liabilities 3,533 1,559
Social liabilities 5,530 3,547
Personnel-related liabilities
(e.g. holiday, bonus, premiums)
22,632 21,544
Deferred income 24 1,113
Prepayments received 931 0
Other liabilities 726 890
33,470 28,653
Total other non-financial liabilities 34,704 30,021

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Foreign exchange derivatives

On 31 March 2016, foreign exchange derivatives with a positive market value of EUR 198 thousand and a negative market value of EUR 16 thousand were classified as cash flow hedges. Furthermore, foreign exchange derivatives with a positive market value of EUR 1,823 thousand and a negative market value of EUR 12 thousand were classified as fair value hedges.

Foreign exchange derivatives classified as cash flow hedges are used to hedge foreign currency risk within the operative business. The foreign exchange derivatives classified as fair value hedges are used to hedge foreign currency risk of external debt and intragroup monetary items.

As part of its financial risk management, NORMA Group not only employs traditional approaches, such as using so-called natural hedges to reduce USD exposure and rolling hedging with foreign currency derivatives, but has also delegated certain parts of its exposure to banking partners. The purpose of this instrument is to protect NORMA Group against any unfavourable exchange rate developments while at the same time letting the Company take advantage of positive developments in foreign exchange markets. A dynamic protection concept with variable rate hedging is used here that analyses market trends on the basis of quantitative models and implements these findings in a technical security model. All activities must always follow the strict requirements of internal risk management. Foreign exchange derivatives resulting from the described dynamic protection concept are classified as held for trading. On 31 March 2016, this led to foreign exchange derivatives with a positive market value of EUR 42 thousand and a negative market value of EUR 157 thousand.

Interest rate swaps

In order to avoid interest rate fluctuations, NORMA Group has hedged parts of its loans against changes in interest rates.

The development of the effective part recognised in other comprehensive income in the first quarter of 2016 is as follows:

in EUR thousands Foreign
exchange
derivatives
Interest
rate swaps
Total
Balance as of 31 December 2015 24 – 2,509 – 2,485
Foreign currency translation effects – 1 0 – 1
Reclassification in profit or loss – 24 369 345
Net fair value changes – 1 – 2,098 – 2,099
Balance as of 31 March 2016 – 2 – 4,238 – 4,240

Amounts recognised in the hedging reserve in equity will be released in profit or loss during the maturity of the loans.

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

for the period from 1 January to 31 March 2016

in EUR thousands Q1 2016 Q1 2015
Operating activities
Profit for the period 19,431 17,906
Depreciation and amortisation 12,071 11,903
Gain (–)/loss (+) on disposal of property, plant and equipment 22 42
Change in provisions – 490 – 1,126
Change in deferred taxes 224 – 54
Change in inventories, trade account receivables and other receivables,
which are not attributable to investing or financing activities
– 22,747 – 35,403
Change in trade and other payables, which are not attributable to investing or financing activities 5,881 9,598
Change in reverse factoring liabilities 20 5,541
Interest expenses of the period 2,830 3,673
Income (–)/ expenses (+) due to measurement of derivatives within a hedge – 2,640 12,818
Other non-cash expenses (+)/income (–) 4,789 – 14,647
Net cash provided by operating activities 19,391 10,251
thereof interest received 36 20
thereof income taxes – 4,997 – 5,918
Investing activities
Payments for acquisitions of subsidiaries, net – 1,622 – 52
Investments in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets – 9,534 – 10,533
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment 50 80
Net cash used in investing activities – 11,106 – 10,505
Financing activities
Interest paid – 1,773 – 2,565
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests – 88 – 110
Proceeds from borrowings 22 451
Repayment of borrowings – 62 0
Proceeds from /repayment of hedging derivatives 314 – 9,982
Repayment of lease liabilities – 41 – 36
Net cash used in financing activities – 1,628 – 12,242
Net change in cash and cash equivalents 6,657 – 12,496
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 99,951 84,271
Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents – 1,651 4,614
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period 104,957 76,389

Selected Notes to the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

In the statement of cash flows, a distinction is made between cash flows from operating activities, investing activities and financing activities.

Net cash provided by operating activities is derived indirectly from profit for the period. The profit for the period is adjusted to eliminate non-cash expenses such as depreciation and amortisation as well as expenses and payments for which the cash effects are investing or financing cash flows and to eliminate other non-cash expenses and income. Net cash provided by operating activities of EUR 19,391 thousand (Q1 2015: EUR 10,251 thousand) represents changes in current assets, provisions and liabilities (excluding liabilities in connection with financing activities).

The Group participates in a reverse factoring programme and in an ABS programme. The payments to the factor and from the ABS programme are included in cash flows from operating activities, as this represents the economic substance of the transactions.

The correction of income due to measurement of derivatives within a hedge in the amount of EUR – 2,640 thousand (Q1 2015: expenses in the amount of EUR 12,818 thousand) relates to fair value gains and losses recognised within the income statement assigned to the cash flows from financing activities.

Other non-cash income (–) / expenses (+) in net cash provided by operating activities mainly include foreign exchange rate gains and losses on external debt and intragroup monetary items in the amount of EUR 4,715 thousand (Q1 2015: EUR – 15,133 thousand). Furthermore, other non-cash income (–) / expenses (+) include non-cash interest expenses from the amortisation of accrued costs, amounting to EUR 74 thousand (Q1 2015: EUR 351 thousand). In the prior year, non-cash personnel expenses from the Matching Stock Programme amounting to EUR 135 thousand were also included in this position.

Cash flows resulting from interest paid are disclosed as cash flows from financing activities.

Cash flows from investing activities include net cash outflows from the acquisition and disposal of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets amounting to EUR 9,484 thousand (Q1 2015: EUR 10,453 thousand) including the repayment of liabilities from prior year investments in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets amounting to EUR – 950 thousand (Q1 2015: EUR – 4,071 thousand). Furthermore, net payments for acquisitions of subsidiaries in the amount of EUR 1,622 thousand (Q1 2015: EUR 52 thousand) are included in the cash flows from investing activities.

Cash flows from financing activities mainly comprise outflows resulting from interest paid (Q1 2016: EUR – 1,773 thousand, Q1 2015: EUR – 2,565 thousand) as well as proceeds from hedging derivatives in the amount of EUR 314 thousand (Q1 2015: repayment of EUR – 9,982 thousand).

Furthermore, dividend payments to non-controlling interests in the amount of EUR 88 thousand (Q1 2015: EUR 110 thousand), net repayment from other loans amounting to EUR 40 thousand (Q1 2015: net proceed of EUR 451 thousand) and repayments from finance lease liabilities in the amount of EUR 41 thousand (Q1 2015: EUR 36 thousand) are disclosed as cash flows from financing activities.

The changes in balance sheet items that are presented in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows cannot be derived directly from the balance sheet, as the effects of currency translation are non-cash transactions and changes in the consolidated Group are shown directly in the net cash used in investing activities.

On 31 March 2016, cash and cash equivalents consisted of cash on hand and demand deposits of EUR 104,826 thousand (31 March 2015: EUR 75,800 thousand) as well as cash equivalents valued at EUR 131 thousand (31 March 2015: EUR 589 thousand).

Segment Reporting

for the period from 1 January to 31 March 2016

EMEA Americas Asia-Pacific
in EUR thousands Q1 2016 Q1 2015 Q1 2016 Q1 2015 Q1 2016 Q1 2015
Total revenue 113,865 99,951 18,744
thereof inter-segment revenue 118,856
6,806
8,303 98,226
2,262
2,228 19,238
687
543
Revenue from external customers 112,050 105,562 95,964 97,723 18,551 18,201
Contribution to consolidated
Group sales 50% 48% 42% 44% 8% 8%
Gross profit1 70,818 68,136 58,417 56,741 9,234 8,759
EBITDA1 26,242 23,782 20,390 20,113 2,183 2,081
EBITDA margin1,2 22.1% 20.9% 20.8% 20.1% 11.3% 11.1%
Depreciation without PPA depreciation3 – 2,510 – 2,401 – 1,882 – 1,968 – 631 – 625
Adjusted EBITA 23,732 21,381 18,508 18,145 1,552 1,456
Adjusted EBITA margin2 20.0% 18.8% 18.8% 18.2% 8.1% 7.8%
Assets (prior year as of 31 Dec 2015)4 476,219 489,161 603,940 636,294 84,922 84,422
Liabilities
(prior year as of 31 Dec 2015)5
106,951 136,903 328,228 358,563 29,446 30,805
CAPEX 2,869 1,849 1,996 3,021 952 743

1 Adjusted in 2015.

2 Based on segment sales.

3 Depreciation from purchase price allocations.

4 Including allocated goodwills, taxes are shown within the column 'consolidations'.

5 Taxes are shown within the column 'consolidations'.

Selected Notes to the Segment Reporting

In the first three months of 2016, the share of sales realised internationally increased to around 78%, which means that this figure rose slightly compared to the previous year (Q1 2015: 77%). The main reason for this was the increase in sales in the EMEA region.

EMEA

External sales in the EMEA region amounted to EUR 112.1 million in the first quarter of 2016 and thus increased by 6.1% over the same quarter of the previous year (Q1 2015: EUR 105.6 million). This can be mainly attributed to the positive development in the area of EJT. The EMEA region's share of total sales amounted to approximately 50% (Q1 2015: 48%).

EBITDA in the EMEA region as of 31 March 2016 amounted to EUR 26.2 million and was thus 10.3% higher than in the previous year (Q1 2015: EUR 23.8 million). This resulted in an EBITDA margin of 22.1% (Q1 2015: 20.9%). Adjusted EBITA for the 3-month period amounted to EUR 23.7 million and thus rose by 11.0% compared to the same quarter of the previous year (Q1 2015: EUR 21.4 million). Accordingly, the adjusted EBITA margin in the EMEA region was 20.0% (Q1 2015: 18.8%).

Investments in the 3-month period amounted to EUR 2.9 million and were thus 55.2% higher than last year's level (Q1 2015: EUR 1.8 million). The EMEA region's assets were valued at EUR 476.2 million as of 31 March 2016 (31 Dec 2015: EUR 489.2 million).

AMERICAS

Sales growth in the Americas region was primarily negatively affected by the continued weakness of the commercial vehicle and agricultural machinery sectors in the Americas region. External sales amounted to EUR 96.0 million and were thus 1.8% lower than in the same quarter of the previous year (Q1 2015: EUR 97.7 million). This means the share of sales of the Americas region declined from around 44% (Q1 2015) to approximately 42% in the quarter that just ended.

Total segments
Central functions
Consolidation Consolidated Group
Q1 2016 Q1 2015 Q1 2016 Q1 2015 Q1 2016 Q1 2015 Q1 2016 Q1 2015
236,320 232,560 7,197 7,466 – 16,952 – 18,540 226,565 221,486
9,755 11,074 7,197 7,466 – 16,952 – 18,540 0 0
226,565 221,486 0 0 0 0 226,565 221,486
100% 100%
138,469 133,636 n/a n/a – 756 – 525 137,713 133,111
48,815 45,976 – 3,382 – 1,536 – 45 41 45,388 44,481
20.0% 20.1%
– 5,023 – 4,994 – 244 – 241 0 0 – 5,267 – 5,235
43,792 40,982 – 3,626 – 1,777 – 45 41 40,121 39,246
17.7% 17.7%
1,165,081 1,209,877 359,122 404,821 – 360,090 – 446,819 1,164,113 1,167,879
464,625 526,271 520,734 556,760 – 258,354 – 344,963 727,005 738,068
5,817 5,613 2,767 849 n/a n/a 8,584 6,462

EBITDA in the Americas region amounted to EUR 20.4 million (Q1 2015: EUR 20.1 million adjusted). This resulted in an increased EBITDA margin of 20.8% (Q1 2015: 20.1% adjusted). Adjusted EBITA of EUR 18.1 million also rose by 2.0% from EUR 18.1 million in the same quarter of the previous year to EUR 18.5 million. This resulted in an adjusted EBITA margin of 18.8% (Q1 2015: 18.2%).

Investments in the Americas region amounted to EUR 2.0 million for the 3-month period (Q1 2015: 3.0 million) and included mainly the plants in the US. Assets decreased by 5.1% to EUR 603.9 million as of the balance sheet date (31 Dec 2015: EUR 636.3 million).

ASIA-PACIFIC

The Asia-Pacific region generated external sales of EUR 18.6 million in the first quarter of 2016 (Q1 2015: EUR 18.2 million) and thus showed positive growth of 1.9%. Besides strong organic growth, negative currency effects had the opposite effect on sales. The share of sales of the Asia-Pacific region remained unchanged compared to the same quarter of the previous year at around 8%.

EBITDA amounted to EUR 2.2 million and was thus 4.9% higher than last year's level (Q1 2015: EUR 2.1 million). The EBITDA margin amounted to 11.3% and thus increased compared to last year (Q1 2015: 11.1%). At the same time, adjusted EBITA increased to EUR 1.6 million (Q1 2015: EUR 1.5 million), which resulted in an 8.1% increase in the adjusted EBITA margin (Q1 2015: 7.8%).

Investments amounted to EUR 1.0 million for the 3-month period (Q1 2015: EUR 0.7 million). Assets increased slightly by 0.6% to EUR 84.9 million compared to the end of 2015.

Financial Calendar 2016

04.05.2016 Publication of Q1 Interim Results 2016
02.06.2016 Annual General Meeting 2016 in Frankfurt / Main
03.08.2016 Publication of Q2 Interim Results 2016
02.11.2016 Publication of Q3 Interim Results 2016

The financial calendar is constantly updated. Please visit the Investor Relations section on the Company website @ http://investors.normagroup.com for up-to-date information.

Contact and Imprint

If you have any questions regarding NORMA Group or would like to be included in the distribution list, please contact the Investor Relations team:

E-Mail: [email protected]

Andreas Trösch Vice President Investor Relations Phone: + 49 6181 6102 741 | Fax: + 49 6181 6102 7641 E-mail: [email protected]

Dana Feuerberg Manager Investor Relations Phone: + 49 6181 6102 748 | Fax: + 49 6181 6102 7648 E-mail: [email protected]

EDITOR

NORMA Group SE Edisonstraße 4 63477 Maintal Germany Phone: + 49 6181 6102 740 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.normagroup.com

CONCEPT AND LAYOUT 3st kommunikation, Mainz

Note on the interim statement

This interim statement is also available in German. If there are differences between the two, the German version takes priority.

Note on rounding

Please note that slight differences may arise as a result of the use of rounded amounts and percentages.

Forward-looking statements

This interim statement contains certain future-oriented statements. Future-oriented statements include all statements which do not relate to historical facts and events and contain future-oriented expressions such as 'believe', 'estimate', 'assume', 'expect', 'forecast', 'intend', 'could' or 'should' or expressions of a similar kind. Such future-oriented statements are subject to risks and uncertainties since they relate to future events and are based on the company's current assumptions, which may not in the future take place or be fulfilled as expected. The company points out that such future-oriented statements provide no guarantee for the future and that the actual events including the financial position and profitability of the NORMA Group SE and developments in the economic and regulatory fundamentals may vary substantially (particularly on the down side) from those explicitly or implicitly assumed in these statements. Even if the actual assets for the NORMA Group SE, including its financial position and profitability and the economic and regulatory fundamentals, are in accordance with such future-oriented statements in this interim statement, no guarantee can be given that this will continue to be the case in the future.