Net profit for the period increased almost threefold to EUR 44.1 million after EUR 16.6 million. Lenzing also achieved a close to tree-fold improvement in its cash flow position. The free cash flow was up from EUR 26.5 million to EUR 88.4 million, whereas the operating cash flow rose from 37.6 million to EUR 104.3 million.

According to Lenzing, the resolute implementation of the new group strategy sCore TEN is reflected in the company’s strong operating performance.

Highlights

Consolidated revenue rose by 8.1% in the first quarter of 2016 to EUR 512.8 million compared to the first quarter of 2015. This increase is mainly attributable to the strong demand for Lenzing fibres and the higher fibre selling prices.

Consolidated earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) rose by 54.7% to EUR 92.2 million. This corresponds to an EBITDA margin of 18%, up from 12.6% in the previous year. Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of the Lenzing Group more than doubled to EUR 59.5 million. Accordingly, the EBIT margin climbed to 11.6% from the 5.7% of the prior-year quarter.

New strategy

“We are proud that we have got off to a very good start in the year 2016. The new Group strategy sCore TEN with its clear focus on profitable growth is taking hold,” said Stefan Doboczky, CEO of Lenzing AG.

“We are implementing the strategy very disciplined, which is having a noticeable effect on earnings already. Initial progress has also been made in managing our trading working capital. Assuming that the overall business environment remains unchanged, I continue to expect a substantial improvement in earnings for the entire financial year 2016.”

New organizational structure

A new organizational structure was introduced in the beginning of March in order to ensure the optimal implementation of sCore TEN.

Three regional, performance-responsible business units were created to more intensively focus on the fibre business in their respective regions: Europe & Americas, North Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam) and AMEA (Asia excl. North Asia; Middle East and Africa).

The three regional business units are complemented by the newly established global Pulp & Wood business area. This new organizational structure is said to give the regions greater management responsibility and further increases customer proximity, according to the manufacturer.

Capacity expansion

In the first quarter of 2016, investments in intangible assets, property, plant and equipment (CAPEX) climbed only moderately to EUR 15.9 million, up from EUR 11.2 million in the prior-year quarter.

However, this is expected to change in the course of the 2016 financial year. As specified in the sCore TEN strategy, the Lenzing Group plans to expand its production capacities for specialty fibres. Various existing and new sites around the world are currently being examined to add new capacities. The company will make Initial decisions in the third quarter of 2016.

Outlook 2016

The global macroeconomic situation is expected to remain volatile, the company reports. As to the global fibre markets high cotton inventories and the ongoing low oil prices continue to put downward pressure on cotton and polyester selling prices. However, a balance between supply and demand should prevail in the market segment of wood-based cellulose fibres. In particular, Lenzing expects a strong increase in demand for its specialty fibres.

Assuming unchanged conditions on the fibre market and currency exchange rates, Lenzing has confirmed a substantial improvement in earnings for the entire financial year 2016, compared to 2015.

www.lenzing.com