Wacker Neuson SE / Key word(s): Final Results/Forecast22.03.2012 / 10:09---------------------------------------------------------------------Wacker Neuson optimistic for 2012(Munich, March 22, 2012)Rising demand coupled with the Group's growth strategy put Wacker Neuson inan exceptionally strong position to capitalize on the global economicrecovery over the past two years. The light and compact equipmentmanufacturer has reported record revenue and earnings for fiscal 2011.Wacker Neuson has its sights set on further growth in 2012 and intends tocontinue with its successful expansion strategy.Record year 2011In line with its growth strategy, Wacker Neuson focused on increasingmarket penetration for its light and compact equipment offering in its coremarkets in Europe and North America in 2011. At EUR 991.6 million (previousyear: EUR 757.9 million), Group revenue was up by 30.8 percent, making 2011the best fiscal year in the company's history. Wacker Neuson has thusachieved its goal of returning to 2007 pre-crisis figures even earlier thanexpected. The euro and debt crises had hardly any impact on businessperformance in 2011. 'Our commitment to retain our core workforce and tokeep crucial expertise in the company during the economic crisis is payingoff now. We are now in a position to seize market opportunities quickly. Injust two years, we have increased revenue by an impressive 66 percent,'explains Cem Peksaglam, CEO of Wacker Neuson.This growth was powered by the entire Group, with double-digit revenueincreases across all business segments. From a geographical standpoint, theAmericas region performed particularly well, reporting a 37 percent rise inrevenue compared with the previous year. Europe also put in a strongperformance with an impressive revenue jump of 30 percent. The compactequipment business segment reported the most dynamic revenue trend, with a52 percent rise on the previous year. Agricultural machinery is accountingfor an increasingly large share of the revenue mix, rising from 12 percentin 2010 to 16 percent last year. Revenue in the light equipment segment wasup 25 percent on the previous year. North America proved to be aparticularly strong driver here, with revenue from utility products - aboveall generators and light towers - experiencing exceptional growth.Increased profitabilityThe Group also increased its profitability significantly in 2011. At EUR162.6 million, profit before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization(EBITDA) more than doubled, resulting in an EBITDA margin of 16.4 percent(previous year: 10.3 percent). At EUR 85.8 million, net profit for theperiod was 3.5 times higher than the prior-year figure (previous year: EUR23.9 million). Earnings per share totaled EUR 1.22 (previous year: EUR0.34). The transition to a holding organization has created a moretransparent, homogenous structure throughout the Group. This, together withthe Group-wide roll-out of a standardized enterprise resource planningsystem, is enabling the company to optimize internal processes andgradually reach its efficiency goals.Strong financial positionWith an equity ratio (before minority interests) of around 75 percent andgearing of just 10 percent at the closing date, the Group's financials andassets remain strong. This healthy position was confirmed in February 2012when the Group successfully placed a Schuldschein loan in the amount of EUR120 million at attractive conditions. The loan will initially be used toredeem short-term lines of credit, while at the same time providing theGroup with the financial security and headroom to pursue its expansionplans.As scheduled, production of excavators, dumpers and skid steer loaders willstart in just a few weeks at the Group's new site in the Austrian town ofHörsching, near Linz. The investment triples Wacker Neuson's productioncapacity for compact equipment and will allow to meet rising demand. Thismove means that all of the Group's production facilities for compactequipment have been constructed in the last six years and are thusstate-of-the-art.Double-digit revenue growth expected in 2012Uncertainty regarding developments in the European construction sectorstill remain due to the debt situation in a number of countries.Nevertheless, demand for light and compact equipment is set to rise, drivenby the global trend for increased investments in infrastructure andmaintenance. Wacker Neuson is thus optimistic about 2012. 'The currentfiscal year got off to a good start. We are confident that our company canabsorb economic fluctuations best possible thanks to our financialstability and diversified business base,' states Peksaglam. 'We have setambitious growth targets for the coming years - and we intend to achievethese,' he continues. 'We have defined a variety of action items aimed atprofitable growth, in particular expanding our our international footprintand bringing our innovative product and service offering to a widermarket.'Over the coming years, the Wacker Neuson Group's strategy will focus onestablishing and expanding sales and service structures in Europe and NorthAmerica, as well as in dynamic geographies such as South America and Asia.Wacker Neuson sees major growth opportunities in emerging markets. Today,these economies only account for around 13 percent of revenue. 'In China,we are currently expanding our light equipment portfolio for the mid-pricesegment. We will unveil our new offering to the large crowds expected at'bauma China 2012' in Shanghai,' explains Peksaglam.Assuming market trends remain positive, the Executive Board predictsoverall revenue for fiscal 2012 of around EUR 1.1 billion and an EBITDAmargin of at least 15 percent. It also expects double-digit revenue growthin 2013, with the same high levels of profitability. These forecasts takeinto consideration the slight squeeze on mid-term margins associated withthe effort and expense involved in expansion. However, the company regardsexpansion activities as an investment in its future success. 'Our growthstrategy is based on a strong foundation comprising our healthy financialstanding, innovation leadership and strong market position flanked by ahigh level of brand awareness in our core markets. We will also continue toevaluate alliances and acquisitions with a view to enhancing our productportfolio and to expand our international footprint,' highlights Peksaglam.The company aims to maintain its sound balance sheet structure with a highequity ratio.For the current fiscal year, Wacker Neuson has earmarked around EUR 100million in total for investments (2011: EUR 106 million).Key figures in EUR million_FY/2011_FY/2010_DifferenceRevenue_991.6_757.9_+30.8%EBITDA_162.6_77.8_+109.0%EBITDA margin as a %_16.4_10.3_+6.1PPEBIT_123.8*_36.7_+237.3%Consolidated earnings_85.8*_23.9_+259.0%Earnings per share in EUR_1.22_0.34_+258.8% *Includes reversal of brand impairment in 2011 (refer to the 'Earnings'section in the 2011 Annual Report for further details).Your contact partner:Wacker Neuson SE Katrin Yvonne NeufferHead of Corpoate Communication/Investor RelationsPreussenstr. 41 80809 Munich Tel: +49-(0)89-35402-173katrin.neuffer@wackerneuson.com www.wackerneuson.comAbout Wacker NeusonThe Wacker Neuson Group is a leading manufacturer of light and compactequipment with over 40 affiliates and more than 140 sales and servicestations across the globe. Manufacturing activities are distributed acrossthree sites in Germany, one in Austria, a components manufacturing plant inSerbia, two sites in the US and one in the Philippines. Productsmanufactured by the company are branded Wacker Neuson. In Europe, the Groupalso distributes compact equipment under the brand names Kramer Allrad andWeidemann (agricultural machinery). With over 300 product categories and aglobal spare parts service, Wacker Neuson is the partner of choice amongprofessional users in a wide range of industries including theconstruction, gardening, landscaping and agriculture sectors, as well asamong municipal bodies and companies in the industrial, recycling andenergy sectors.End of Corporate News---------------------------------------------------------------------22.03.2012 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - acompany of EquityStory AG.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.DGAP's Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements,Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de---------------------------------------------------------------------Language: English Company: Wacker Neuson SE Preußenstr. 41 80809 München Germany Phone: +49 - (0)89 - 354 02 - 0 Fax: +49 - (0)89 - 354 02 - 390 E-mail: info@wackerneuson.com Internet: www.wackerneuson.com ISIN: DE000WACK012 WKN: WACK01 Indices: SDAX Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München, Stuttgart End of News DGAP News-Service --------------------------------------------------------------------- 161729 22.03.2012
