Fuchs Petrolub AG / Key word(s): Half Year Results
02.08.2012 / 07:00

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FUCHS increases sales revenues and earnings again in the first half of the year and confirms its outlook for the financial year
- Further growth in sales revenues and earnings 
- Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) up 8.9% to EUR 145.4 million - Outlook confirmed for the year 2012

The first six months of 2012 at a glance



(1) By company location.
(2) The previous year's figures have been adjusted for reasons of comparability, see 'changes in the accounting policies' in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Performance
In the first half of 2012, the FUCHS PETROLUB Group increased its sales revenues in all regions. This growth in sales revenues was largely driven by increased sales volumes and sales prices. Organic growth was EUR 63.9 million or 7.8%. However, currency translations also had a positive effect on sales revenues. Total revenues of EUR 910.0 million (818.4) were recorded, which represents an increase of 11.2% over the same period of the previous year.

This growth in sales revenues also allowed FUCHS PETROLUB to increase its gross profit by 8.1% or EUR 24.7 million to EUR 330.1 million (305.4) in the first half of the year. Due to the effects of growth and inflation, personnel and other direct costs for sales, administration, research and development increased by EUR 15.3 million or 8.8% to EUR 188.9 million (173.6).

After inclusion of income from participations, the Group recorded earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of EUR 145.4 million (133.5). The figure from the same period of the previous year was therefore exceeded by 8.9% or EUR 11.9 million. Earnings after taxes rose by 11.2% or EUR 10.3 million to EUR 101.9 million (91.6).

Earnings per share increased to EUR 1.42 (1.28) per ordinary share and EUR 1.43 (1.29) per preference share.

Capital expenditures
The FUCHS PETROLUB Group invested a sum of EUR 33.4 million (16.5) in long-term assets in the first half of 2012.

Besides completion of the new research and development center, the EUR 23.3 million (14.4) invested in property, plant, equipment and intangible assets also focused on extending the production facilities in Mannheim, construction of our facility in Russia, modernizing our US production site in Chicago and setting up fire protection facilities in Great Britain. The planned construction of a new facility in Brazil also got underway with the acquisition of a property.

Investments in financial assets revolved around a capital injection of EUR 10.1 million, with which the Group provided support for its holding in Turkey in acquiring an automotive lubricants business.
Employees
As at June 30, 2012, the workforce of the FUCHS PETROLUB Group consisted of 3,764 employees worldwide. Compared with the 3,673 employees recorded at the end of the previous year, this represents an increase of 91 people. The recruitments were made in Asia and in Europe.

Outlook
The overall economic situation deteriorated slightly in the second quarter of 2012. In addition various latent risks remain in place for the development of the global economy, such as a potential worsening of the national debt crisis. Despite this, FUCHS currently still rates the economic situation as satisfactory and anticipates being able to push forward with its growth in sales revenues in the second half of 2012.
As a result of the ongoing growth initiative, personnel and other direct costs will be higher than the previous year. This has been accounted for in our budgeting. Despite this increase in costs, the FUCHS PETROLUB Group is still anticipating increases in earnings over the previous year, insofar and as long as the various risks do not have an appreciable impact on our operations.

Overall, FUCHS confirms its outlook for the year 2012. The Group is striving to exceed the earnings before interest and tax of EUR 264.2 million achieved in the previous year. In light of the economic risks, however, the earnings recorded in the first half of the year should not simply be extrapolated over the full year.

Mannheim, August 2, 2012

FUCHS PETROLUB AG
Public Relations
Friesenheimer Str. 17
68169 Mannheim
Germany
Tel.: ++49 (0) 621 3802-1104 
E-Mail: tina.vogel@fuchs-oil.de 

The information below can be accessed at the following web addresses:
Press release:
http://www.fuchs-oil.com

Interim report as at June 30, 2012:
http://www.fuchs-oil.com/ir_sixmonths.html

Press photos:
http://www.fuchs-oil.com/pressphotos1.html

Important note
This press release contains statements about future developments that are based on assumptions and estimates by the management of FUCHS PETROLUB AG. Even if the management is of the opinion that these assumptions and estimates are accurate, future actual developments and future actual results may differ significantly from these assumptions and estimates due to a variety of factors. These factors can include changes in the overall economic climate, changes to exchange rates and interest rates, and changes in the lubricants industry. FUCHS PETROLUB AG provides no guarantee that future developments and the results actually achieved in the future will match the assumptions and estimates set out in this press release and assumes no liability for such.


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Language: English Company: Fuchs Petrolub AG Friesenheimer Str. 17 68169 Mannheim Germany Phone: +49 (0)621 / 3802-0 Fax: +49 (0)621 / 3802-7190 E-mail: ir@fuchs-oil.de Internet: www.fuchs-oil.de ISIN: DE0005790430, DE0005790406 WKN: 579043, 579040 Indices: MDAX Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard), Stuttgart; Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, München  
 
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