Mikron posts higher order intake and good order backlog; Andreas Steiner steps down from the Board of Directors

Andreas Steiner will not be standing for re-election to the Board of Directors at the Annual General Meeting on 8 April 2014. The Board of Directors does not intend to nominate a successor at the present time.

The Mikron Group's sales markets performed very differently in 2013. The high demand from the medical devices and pharmaceutical industries contrasted with very low demand from the automotive industry, particularly in the first half of the year. Overall, Mikron's market performance in 2013 was good, meeting expectations with a 2% increase in net sales. The Mikron Group even achieved a 12% increase in order backlog at the end of the year.

Mikron's Annual Report, containing the Group's detailed results for 2013, will be published at the Media and Analyst Conference on 10 March 2014.

Machining segment

Mikron Machining is the leading supplier of customized, highly productive machining solutions for the manufacturing of complex, high-precision components made of metal. Customers in the automotive, watchmaking and writing instruments industries account for the majority of the segment's net sales.

Faced with persistent low demand and a continuous decline in orders in hand, the Machining business segment had a difficult first six months. In the second half of the year, however, the ongoing activities of enhancing existing and developing new machinery and tools paid off as various new orders brought about a reversal in this trend. For 2013 as a whole, the Machining business segment achieved an order intake of CHF 125.8 million (previous year: CHF 123.6 million, +2%) and net sales of CHF 125.2 million (previous year: CHF 134.3 million, -7%). The order backlog for the Machining business segment at the end of 2013 rose 13% to CHF 57.6 million compared with the end of 2012 (CHF 51.2 million).

Automation segment

Mikron Automation is one of the world's leading manufacturers of customized, highly productive automation solutions for high-precision assembly and testing of products up to hand size. The segment operates primarily in the medical devices, pharmaceuticals, automotive and consumer goods industries.

Thanks to the good level of demand from the medical devices and pharmaceutical industries, particularly in the first six months, Mikron Automation increased its order intake to CHF 121.8 million in 2013 (previous year: CHF 113.0 million, +8%). In contrast, demand from customers in the automotive industry was disappointing, and order volumes in Asia were also below expectations. Mikron Automation's net sales rose to CHF 116.8 million (previous year: CHF 101.2 million, +15%) and its order backlog increased to CHF 65.0 million at the end of the year (previous year: 58.3 million, +11%). 

Preliminary volume figures for 2013 financial year, compared to 2012

¹⁾ Divisional financial figures before consolidation

Contact

Mikron Management AG, Martin Blom, CFO Mikron Group

Phone +41 62 916 69 60, ir.mma@mikron.com

Download Media Release on preliminary volume figures for 2013 financial year

Investor Relations Calendar of Events

10 March 2014, 07.00 a.m. – Media release: Publication of the 2013 Annual Report

10 March 2014, 10.00 a.m. – Results press conference, ConventionPoint, SIX Swiss Exchange, Zurich

8 April 2014, 16.00 p.m. – Annual General Meeting 2014, Biel

18 July 2014, 07.00 a.m. – Media release: Semiannual results 2014

Except for the historical information contained herein, the statements in this media release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.

Mikron® is a trademark of Mikron Holding AG, Biel (Switzerland).