Corporate press release

GEA releases preliminary third quarter figures and adjusts outlook for the 2018 fiscal year

10 Oct 2018

According to preliminary figures, the positive trend compared with the same period last year in order intake (approx. EUR 1,180 million, plus 12 percent), revenue (approx. EUR 1,180 million, plus 4 percent) and operating EBITDA (approx. EUR 135 million; plus 12 percent) has persisted throughout the third quarter of 2018. However, earnings development, in particular in the customer industry Dairy Processing, falls short of the company’s own expectations.

GEA Center Düsseldorf

For this reason, the Executive Board currently expects revenue of approx. EUR 4,800 million (or approx. EUR 4,950 million on constant exchange rates) and operating EBITDA of approx. EUR 540 million (or approx. EUR 550 million on constant exchange rates) for the 2018 fiscal year. This corresponds to an operating EBITDA margin of approx. 11.3 percent (or approx. 11.1 percent on constant exchange rates). 

Following this development, the Executive Board adjusts its outlook, which is based on constant exchange rates. For the current fiscal year, the Executive Board expects revenue to grow approx. 7.5 percent. Now, the operating EBITDA margin is anticipated to amount to approx. 11.1 percent while the Executive Board projects an operating cash flow driver margin of approx. 8.5 percent. All other assumptions remain unchanged as outlined in the 2017 Annual Report and the 2018 Half-Yearly Financial Report. 

“All in all, demand for our products and applications has continued to show a positive trend in the quarter just ended, with GEA being basically well positioned in a challenging overall environment. GEA however sees growing economic imponderables as well as a rising number of trade constraints,” comments Jürg Oleas, CEO of GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft. 

“Our gross margin remains under pressure. It is true that the pricing initiatives taken in many areas are beginning to take effect, but not to the extent expected. In addition, there are mix effects, i.e., revenue continues to show above-average growth in lower-margin product groups with the new machine business currently growing at a faster pace than the higher-margin service business. Furthermore, notably the customer industry Dairy Processing does not live up to our earnings expectations,” concludes Jürg Oleas. 

Results of the third quarter will be published on October 29th, 2018.

Media Relations

GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft

Peter-Müller-Str. 12


40468

Düsseldorf


Germany

+49 211 9136-0

About GEA

GEA is one of the world’s largest suppliers of systems and components to the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. The international technology group, founded in 1881, focuses on machinery and plants, as well as advanced process technology, components and comprehensive services.

With more than 18,000 employees, the group generated revenues of about EUR 5.4 billion in more than 150 countries in the 2023 fiscal year. GEA plants, processes, components and services enhance the efficiency and sustainability of customer’s production. They contribute significantly to the reduction of CO2 emissions, plastic usage and food waste. In doing so, GEA makes a key contribution toward a sustainable future, in line with the company’s purpose: ”Engineering for a better world“. GEA is listed on the German MDAX the European STOXX® Europe 600 Index and is among the companies comprising the DAX 50 ESG, MSCI Global Sustainability as well as Dow Jones Sustainability World and Dow Jones Sustainability Europe Indices.
 
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