Agfa Releases Full-Year 2013 Results; Global Market Position for Wide-Format Printers Strengthened

MORTSEL, BELGIUM—March 12, 2014—Agfa-Gevaert today announced its full year 2013 results.

Christian Reinaudo, president and CEO of the Agfa-Gevaert Group said:

"Once again, the economic environment was difficult in 2013. The exchange rates between the Euro and most other currencies were unfavorable to Agfa. In some emerging markets, GDP growth somewhat slowed down. Furthermore, sales of our analog businesses declined strongly versus a very solid year 2012, when these businesses recovered from the silver crisis of 2011. In these conditions, we chose to focus our efforts on improving our operational efficiency and our balance sheet. We succeeded in increasing our gross profit margin throughout the year. The strong improvement in the fourth quarter shows that we are on the right track to achieve one of our main goals: to restore our gross profit margin to a level in line with our recurring EBITDA target. The IT and Direct Radiography growth engines of Agfa HealthCare performed well and in line with expectations. In Agfa Graphics, our Inkjet business not only reached its target of crossing the break-even line during the year. For the first time ever, it even delivered a slightly positive full year recurring EBIT. This result shows that rationalizing the product portfolio was the right decision. As far as the balance sheet is concerned, we managed to significantly reduce our working capital and to deliver a strong operational cash flow, which resulted in a healthy reduction of our net financial debt. Due to targeted benefit reduction programs, we also reduced our pension liabilities. In 2014, we aim at making good progress towards our medium term target of delivering a double digit recurring EBITDA percentage. In that respect, our fourth quarter results are very encouraging."

The Group’s full year revenue declined by 7.3 percent to 2,865 million Euro. On a currency comparable basis, the decline amounted to 4.8 percent. The top line evolution is mainly due to strong currency effects, the weak investment climate, the product portfolio rationalization and the decline of the analog businesses. In 2012, the analog businesses recovered from a very slow 2011.

Benefiting from efficiency programs in the business groups and positive raw material effects towards the end of the year, the Group’s gross profit margin improved by one percentage point to 29.1 percent of revenue.

As a percentage of revenue, Selling and General Administration expenses remained almost stable at 18.8 percent.

R&D expenses were substantially lower than in 2012 as a result of the Group’s efforts to improve efficiency and to rationalize its product portfolio.

Recurring EBITDA (the sum of Graphics, HealthCare, Specialty Products and the unallocated portion) improved from 7.3 percent of revenue to 7.8 percent. Recurring EBIT reached 5.0 percent of revenue, versus 4.5 percent in 2012.

Restructuring and non-recurring items resulted in an income of 19 million Euro, versus an expense of 43 million Euro in 2012. The Group booked the effects of the closure of the post-retirement medical plan in the US and of other targeted pension benefit actions.

The net finance costs amounted to 71 million Euro, versus 85 million Euro in 2012.

Tax expenses amounted to 43 million Euro.

The Group posted a net profit of 49 million Euro, versus a restated (according to IAS 19R) net loss of 9 million Euro in 2012.

Financial position and cash flow

• At the end of the year, total assets were 2,568 million Euro, compared to 2,830 million Euro at the end of 2012.
• Inventories amounted to 542 million Euro (or 96 days). Trade receivables (minus deferred revenue and advanced payments from customers) amounted to 464 million Euro (or 56 days) and trade payables were 239 million Euro, or 42 days.
• Net financial debt amounted to 217 million Euro, versus 291 million Euro at the end of 2012.
• In 2013, net pension liabilities were reduced by 313 million Euro, leading to a strong increase in equity.
• Net cash from operating activities amounted to 107 million Euro.

Agfa Graphics’ revenue decreased by 9.7 percent to 1,491 million Euro. On a currency comparable basis, the decline amounted to 7.5 percent. The top line evolution reflects the decline of the prepress segment’s analog computer-to-film (CtF) business, the tough economic conditions and the product portfolio rationalization. In 2012, the CtF business’ revenue was exceptionally strong. In digital computer-to-plate (CtP), digital printing plate volumes increased slightly. However, the business suffered from adverse price effects.

The industrial inkjet segment’s top line was influenced by the product portfolio rationalization and the weak investment climate. In this tough economic context, Agfa Graphics was able to strengthen its global market position for wide-format inkjet printers. Also in inkjet, the number of system integrators, OEM customers and other manufacturing specialists that use Agfa Graphics’ inks for industrial printing applications grew in 2013.

As a result of efficiency programs and product rationalization measures, Agfa Graphics’ gross profit margin improved substantially from 24.7 percent in 2012 to 26.2 percent. This evolution also reflects the positive effects of the lower raw material prices. These effects started to become more visible towards the end of the year. Recurring EBITDA improved to 97.9 million Euro (6.6 percent of revenue) and recurring EBIT grew by 14.3 percent to 60.7 million Euro (4.1 percent of revenue). Despite the top line evolution, the industrial inkjet segment crossed the break-even line in the course of 2013 and even achieved a positive full year recurring EBIT.

Adverse currency effects had a strong impact on Agfa HealthCare’s top line in 2013. Excluding these effects, revenue decline would be limited to 1.1 percent.

In the IT segment, both Imaging IT and Enterprise IT performed well.

The business group’s revenue decline is attributable to the Imaging segment’s traditional X-ray film business. It should be mentioned that in 2012, the traditional business was marked by a strong recovery following slow sales in 2011. In the Imaging segment’s digital radiography business (consisting of hardcopy, Direct Radiography and Computed Radiography), the DR growth engine posted very strong revenue growth, while hardcopy performed well.

Whereas the emerging markets performed well in the first quarters, signs of stagnation became apparent towards the end of the year. In the course of 2013, business in North America began to feel the effects of the uncertainty in the US healthcare market. Europe, on the other hand, showed clear signs of recovery in the last months of the year.

Agfa HealthCare’s gross profit margin reached 34.9 percent of revenue, versus 35.7 percent in 2012. The margin was impacted by currency and mix effects, as well as by investments in the further improvement of service efficiency. In the fourth quarter of the year, the gross margin showed clear signs of recovery as a result of the business group’s efficiency programs and favorable raw material effects. Recurring EBITDA amounted to 116.3 million Euro (10.0 percent of revenue) and recurring EBIT reached 77.3 million Euro (or 6.7 percent of revenue).

Agfa Specialty Products’ revenue decreased by 5.7 percent due to the lower silver price. The printed circuit board film business’ revenue continued to grow. The Synaps Synthetic Paper and Orgacon Electronic Materials businesses grew steadily.

Recurring EBITDA and recurring EBIT improved strongly to 14.5 million Euro and 10.2 million Euro respectively.

Heavily impacted by adverse currency effects, the weak economic environment and the decline of the analog business, the Agfa-Gevaert Group’s revenue decreased by 9.0 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013. On a currency comparable basis, the decrease amounted to 5.4 percent.

Driven by the Group’s efficiency programs and favorable raw material effects, the gross profit margin improved from 28.0 percent of revenue in the fourth quarter of 2012 to 30.7 percent.

As a percentage of revenue, Selling and General Administration expenses amounted to 18.0 percent of revenue.

The Group's recurring EBITDA (the sum of Graphics, HealthCare, Specialty Products and the unallocated portion) and recurring EBIT improved to 11.0 percent of revenue and 8.3 percent of revenue respectively.

Including targeted pension benefit actions, restructuring and non-recurring items resulted in an income of 6 million Euro, versus an expense of 20 million Euro in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Net profit amounted to 44 million Euro, versus a restated (according to IAS 19R) net profit of 7 million Euro in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Excluding currency effects, Agfa Graphics’ fourth quarter revenue decreased by 7.6 percent.

In the prepress segment, sales for the analog CtF products were much lower than in the fourth quarter of 2012, which was exceptionally strong. Volumes for digital CtP printing plates remained stable.

The product portfolio rationalizations and the weak investment climate weighed on the industrial inkjet segment’s sales. In spite of this, Agfa Graphics continued to increase its share in the global wide-format inkjet printing market.

Continuing the upward trend of the previous quarters, Agfa Graphics’ gross profit margin reached 28.3 percent in the fourth quarter. In the fourth quarter of 2012, the gross profit amounted to 23.8 percent of revenue. The improvement was driven by efficiency programs and positive raw material effects. Recurring EBITDA improved from 27.6 million Euro in the fourth quarter of 2012 to 38.6 million Euro (10.3 percent of revenue). Recurring EBIT grew from 18.2 million Euro to 29.2 million Euro (7.8 percent of revenue). The industrial inkjet segment delivered a positive recurring EBIT in the fourth quarter.

In the prepress segment, one of the major highlights of the fourth quarter was the addition of a new member to the highly successful range of Azura chemistry-free printing plates. As the new Azura TU plate offers high runlenghts, Agfa Graphics now has a chemistry-free solution for all common commercial applications.

Furthermore, Agfa Graphics launched the second version of Apogee StoreFront, a cloud-based e-commerce solution that enables print service providers to market their services and products more efficiently.

At the WPE 2013 event (October 7-9, Berlin, Germany), Agfa Graphics introduced its new workflow management software solution for newspapers: Arkitex Production. Arkitex Production provides secure system and data access locally and in the cloud for all types of customers, from the smallest newspaper printer to the largest publishers and groups.

Agfa Graphics signed several major contracts for comprehensive prepress solutions in the fourth quarter. In the UK, for instance, the Global Media company ordered a platesetter and signed a four-year contract for Azura chemistry-free printing plates. Other contracts were signed with – among other companies – Koninklijke Drukkerij Em. de Jong (the Netherlands), Flyer (Belgium), Kraft-Schlötels (Germany), ProGrafik (STI Group – Germany), Point CZ (Czech Republic), Read Me printing company (Poland), Brasil Gráfica (Brazil), Watchtower (USA), Beacon Print (New Zealand) and the KyungHang Shinmun newspaper company (Korea).

Based on its technology leadership and its high level of service, Agfa Graphics further increased its installed base for chemistry-free printing plate technology in Japan, both in the newspaper and in the commercial segment of the market.

In the field of inkjet, Agfa Graphics expanded its customer base for its high-quality inks, as well as for its Anapurna and Jeti print systems. The productive Jeti printers are often praised for their robustness, speed, versatility and image quality. In the fourth quarter, the Argentinean Omnigraphics company ordered their fourth Jeti machine. Only months after the installation of its first Jeti Titan system, the Polish Metro company ordered a second machine in the fourth quarter. PPL Sport & Leisure Ltd (UK), Endless Edge (USA) and Ingram Express (USA) ordered top-of-the-range Jeti TitanX systems. This machine was introduced to the market in the second quarter of 2013.

In November, Agfa Graphics announced that Zetes Industries will use its Altamira UV-curable inkjet inks to print the variable data on Belgian passports.

Heavily impacted by currency effects, Agfa HealthCare’s fourth quarter revenue decreased by 6.2 percent to 316 million Euro. On a currency comparable basis, the decrease is limited to 2.1 percent. In the IT segment, Imaging IT performed well, while Enterprise IT reported very strong revenue growth. The Imaging segment’s traditional film business declined sharply compared to a very strong fourth quarter in 2012. In the segment’s digital radiography business, hardcopy and Direct Radiography performed well.

In the fourth quarter, business in Europe showed signs of a revival, whereas growth in the emerging countries stagnated, partly because of adverse currency effects. Business in the US suffered from the uncertainty in the country’s healthcare sector.

Reaching 36.1 percent of revenue, the gross profit margin improved versus the previous quarters of the year, as well as versus the fourth quarter of 2012 (35.6 percent). This was mainly due to the business group’s efficiency programs and positive raw material effects. Adverse elements were the strong currency and mix effects. Recurring EBITDA reached 42.6 million Euro (13.5 percent of revenue) and recurring EBIT reached 32.9 million euro (10.4 percent of revenue).

In the field of imaging, Agfa HealthCare introduced the versatile and affordable CR 15-X computed radiography system at the RSNA event in Chicago. The system is ideal for use in decentralized general radiography environments, private practices, small clinics, as well as orthopaedic and chiropractic offices. Another milestone was the introduction of the next generation of the leading MUSICA image processing software for digital radiography. The new software offers even better image quality than its predecessor, as well as workflow advantages for radiographers and radiologists.

Also in the fourth quarter, Agfa HealthCare announced several contracts for its innovative direct radiography technology. The not-for-profit healthcare organization WellStar Health System (Marietta, Georgia, USA), for instance, installed two DX-D 400 DR systems.

In imaging IT, Agfa HealthCare officially launched its IMPAX Agility solution in the USA. This completely unified imaging solution unites PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System), RIS (Radiology Information System), reporting, advanced image processing and integration of clinical information in one sophisticated and easy-to-use platform.

In France, the Agfa HealthCare and Worldline consortium signed a major regional imaging IT agreement with the Alsace e-santé organization. The consortium was selected to provide a bundle of shared medical imaging services for the entire region of Alsace. Overall, 53 healthcare enterprises and radiology practices will subscribe to the service bundle. For Agfa HealthCare, it is the first regional imaging project in France with such a large scope.

A major imaging IT contract was also signed in Saudi Arabia, where Agfa HealthCare will upgrade the existing RIS/PACS infrastructure in seven hospitals of the Ministery of Health in Gassim.

In the field of enterprise IT, Agfa HealthCare confirmed its leading position in the German speaking countries of Europe by signing a major contract with Asklepios Kliniken Verwaltungsgesellschaft (AKV). AKV chose Agfa HealthCare’s ORBIS as the standard Hospital Information System (HIS) for 43 clinics. AKV represents more than 50% of the turnover of the Asklepios Group, the largest private hospital group in Germany.

In France, the CH Jean Rougier hospital in Cahors decided to implement Agfa HealthCare’s HYDMedia electronic archiving and healthcare document system.

Agfa Specialty Products’ fourth quarter revenue decreased by 11.1 percent to 48 million Euro. The Synaps Synthetic Paper, Orgacon Electronic Materials, Security, printed circuit board and microfilm businesses performed well.

The business group’s recurring EBITDA amounted to 0.9 million Euro. Recurring EBIT reached minus 0.2 million Euro.

Management Certification of Financial Statements and Quarterly Report
This statement is made in order to comply with new European transparency regulation enforced by the Belgian Royal Decree of 14 November 2007 and in effect as of 2008.

"The Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of Agfa-Gevaert NV, represented by Mr. Julien De Wilde, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Christian Reinaudo, President and CEO, and Mr. Kris Hoornaert, CFO, jointly certify that, to the best of their knowledge, the consolidated financial statements included in the report and based on the relevant accounting standards, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition and results of Agfa-Gevaert NV, including its consolidated subsidiaries. Based on our knowledge, the report includes all information that is required to be included in such document and does not omit to state all necessary material facts."

Source: Agfa.