Another strong fourth quarter with improved margins and increased order intake.
FOURTH QUARTER 2023
- Net sales amounted to EUR 51,585 thousand (59,783), a decrease of 13.7% compared with the corresponding period last year. Organic growth amounted to -9.8%.
- Operating earnings (EBIT) amounted to EUR 5,603 thousand (6,537), corresponding to an EBIT margin of 10.9% (10.9).
- Operating earnings before depreciation (EBITDA) amounted to EUR 7,389 thousand (8,020), corresponding to an EBITDA margin of 14.3% (13.4).
- Underlying earnings before depreciation (underlying EBITDA) amounted to EUR 8,563 thousand (8,587), corresponding to an underlying EBITDA margin of 16.6% (14.4).
- Order intake amounted to EUR 41,516 thousand (35,084), an increase of 18.3% compared with the same period last year. Organic growth amounted to 30.6%.
- The intensified efficiency work has now been fully implemented, with reduction of workforce completed according to plan.
JANUARY – DECEMBER 2023
- Net sales amounted to EUR 189,903 thousand (218,440), a decrease of 13.1% compared with the corresponding period last year. Organic growth amounted to -8.6%.
- Operating earnings (EBIT) amounted to EUR 13,162 thousand (16,758), corresponding to an EBIT margin of 6.9% (7.7).
- Operating earnings before depreciation (EBITDA) amounted to EUR 19,763 thousand (22,516), corresponding to an EBITDA margin of 10.4% (10.3).
- Underlying earnings before depreciation (underlying EBITDA) amounted to EUR 23,710 thousand (26,862), corresponding to an underlying EBITDA margin of 12.5% (12.3).
- Order intake amounted to EUR 199,275 thousand (215,767), a decrease of 7.6% compared with the same period last year. Organic growth amounted to -0.1%.
- Operating earnings for the year was negatively impacted by lower sales, mainly due to delays in customers’ financing of their projects, especially during the first half of the year. The situation improved during the second half of the year with increased order intake and improved margins.
- As of January 1, 2023, the accounting currency and presentation currency is Euro.
COMMENTS FROM THE CEO
In the fourth quarter of the year, ViaCon delivered a result (adjusted EBITDA) in line with the fourth quarter of 2022, which was the best fourth quarter for the Group to date. This means that the second half of 2023 shows a clear improvement in earnings compared with the previous year. Volumes have still not returned to 2022 levels, but just like in the third quarter, order intake in Q4 is increasing compared to the previous year. In addition, it is gratifying that order intake has also developed positively at the beginning of 2024. The efficiency work that was intensified during the summer has now been carried out according to plan, which means that ViaCon’s margins improved both in the quarter and for the full year 2023.
Sales for the quarter amounted to EUR 51,585 thousand (59,783), a decrease of 13.7% compared to the previous year. Although market activity is high, volumes have been lower in the fourth quarter compared to the previous year as a result of the uncertainty created by high interest rates and inflation levels during the year. Organic growth was -9.8%, adjusted for exchange rate effects, divestments and acquisitions.
Operating earnings (EBIT) amounted to EUR 5,603 thousand (6,537), corresponding to an EBIT margin of 10.9% (10.9). Adjusted operating earnings amounted to EUR 6,777 thousand (7,104), corresponding to an adjusted EBIT margin of 13.1% (11.9). Operating earnings have been affected by the lower volumes, but also by the reduced costs from the efficiency work. Cash flow from operating activities for the quarter was positive, mainly driven by operating profit and improved working capital.
There are several infrastructure investments taking place around Europe as there is a great need to renew and expand an aging infrastructure in many countries. Order intake during the quarter was strong and amounted to EUR 41,516 thousand (35,084), corresponding to organic growth of 30.6%. Our expectation is that order intake will remain at a good level in the coming period.
In June, we decided to intensify the efficiency work that was initiated in 2022 with the aim of streamlining the organization for increased agility and efficiency, with the goal of reducing the workforce by approximately 180 positions. The initiative has now been fully implemented and reduction of workforce have been completed according to plan. During the fourth quarter, the initiative has reduced our costs excluding non-recurring costs, compared to the costs we had planned for, by approximately EUR 3.0 million. For the full year 2023, the initiative has contributed to cost savings excluding non-recurring costs of approximately EUR 6.3 million. By the end of the fourth quarter, this means that the initiative will result in sustainable efficiency improvements corresponding to approximately EUR 10 million on an annual basis. The non-recurring costs related to this initiative amount to EUR 3.1 million, of which EUR 1.1 million was charged to earnings in the fourth quarter. These measures will strengthen ViaCon both in the short and long term.
With a continued increase in order intake and with positive cost effects from the efficiency work, we look forward with confidence to a successful 2024.
Stefan Nordström,
President and CEO, ViaCon Group
Presentation of the report
A live presentation of the financial results and development for the period followed by a Q&A session will be held as follows:
Date: February 23, 2024
Time: 11:00 -12:00 CET
Presenters: CEO Stefan Nordström and CFO Philip Delborn
Link to webcast: https://www.finwire.tv/webcast/viacon-group/year-end-report-2023/
The session will be recorded and available to watch on-demand via the link above.
The full report is published at www.viacongroup.com.