Sales increased slightly to 2,659.4 Million Euro in the first half of 2014 (+1.9% versus H1 2013); this increase is attributable to the Schuler Group, which only contributed four months to the previous yearâs reference period (first-time consolidation as of March 1, 2013). Sales in the second quarter of 2014, at 1,439.9 Millione Euro, almost reached the reference figure of last year (-0.4% versus Q2 2013).
In the first half of 2014, the EBITA amounted to 133.4 Million Euro (+37.7% versus H1 2013) and the EBITA margin was 5.0% (H1 2013: 3.7%). Thus, earnings were significantly above the low reference figure for the previous year, which was strongly negatively impacted in the first quarter of 2013 by high provisions booked for a pulp mill project in South America. In the second quarter of 2014, the EBITA amounted to 84.8 Million Euro and was thus 2.5% above the figure for the second quarter of 2013 (82.7 Million Euro). The EBITA margin slightly increased to 5.9% (Q2 2013: 5.7%).
The net income reached 66.7 Million Euro in the first half of 2014 and was thus well above the very low reference figure for the previous year (+42.2% versus H1 2013).
Andritz President and CEO Wolfgang Leitner: âGiven the overall economic situation and the competitive environment, order intake and sales of the Andritz Group saw solid development. We achieved a significant improvement in earnings compared to the previous yearâs reference period, although further improvements are necessary to reach our target figures. We expect unchanged project activity in the markets we serve for the current second half of the year.â
