21 February 2005 Trading update fourth quarter 2004 - 20% sales growth in 2004
In the financial year 2004, Bekaert achieved consolidated and combined sales of € 2.2 billion and € 3.1 billion, an increase of 21% and 20% respectively.
[1]
,
[2]
Consolidated and combined sales by business segment in 2004
|
Consolidated sales |
Combined sales |
|
in millions of € |
variance |
in millions of € |
variance |
Advanced wire products |
1 500 |
+20.9% |
2 411 |
+21.3% |
Fencing systems Europe[3] |
453 |
+18.4% |
454 |
+18.6% |
Advanced materials |
117 |
+13.0% |
117 |
+13.0% |
Advanced coatings |
127 |
+12.8% |
127 |
+7.4% |
Intersegment sales/others |
-24 |
- |
35 |
- |
Total |
2 173 |
+20.9% |
3 144 |
+20.1% |
Combined sales by activity platform in 2004
Advanced wire products: |
+21% |
Advanced materials |
+13% |
Wire Europe |
+17% |
Fibre technologies |
+7% |
Wire North America |
+22% |
Combustion technologies |
+53% |
Wire Latin America |
+32% |
Composites |
-24% |
Wire Asia |
+49% |
|
|
Building products |
+20% |
Advanced coatings |
+7% |
Steel cord China |
+1% |
Industrial coatings |
+15% |
Steel cord others |
+21% |
Specialised films |
+2% |
Other advanced wire products |
+2% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fencing systems Europe |
+19% |
|
|
The consolidated sales’ increase was 22% from organic growth and 3% from the net movement in acquisitions and divestments, while adverse currency movements amounted to 4%.
In 2004, Bekaert achieved strong organic sales growth in all business segments. Despite continuing volatility in the raw materials markets which necessitated increases in sales prices, the company succeeded in maintaining supplies to its customers.
Consolidated sales of advanced wire products also benefitted from external growth, with the acquisition of Bekaert Hlohovec, a.s. (Slovak Republic) and of the remaining shareholding of Contours Ltd (U.S.).
Consolidated sales of advanced materials were affected by the acquisition of Solaronics Technologies and the exit from composite profiles and consolidated sales of advanced coatings by the increased stake in Sorevi S.A. (France) and in Precision Surface Technology Pte Ltd (Singapore).
Bekaert achieved solid sales growth in all regions. The company maintained its positions in Europe and North America and performed well in the growth markets of Latin America and Asia. Demand for steel cord products for tyre manufacturing was strong worldwide. In China, government regulations have resulted in a temporary slow-down in market growth, but during the fourth quarter, sales of steel cord China improved slightly.
Combined sales by geographical area in 2004
Events subsequent to the balance sheet date
On 12 January 2005, Bekaert signed an agreement to sell the shares of Bekaert Fencing NV to the investment company Gilde for an enterprise value of € 281.5 million.
Outlook
The outlook is favourable despite the continuing challenges in the raw materials markets.
Financial calendar
2004 results 17 March 2005
2004 annual report available on internet 22 April 2005
First quarter trading update 2005 11 May 2005
General Meeting of Shareholders 11 May 2005
Dividend payable (coupon nr. 6) 18 May 2005
2005 interim results 1 August 2005
Third quarter trading update 2005 14 November 2005
Fourth quarter trading update 2005 17 February 2006
2005 results 16 March 2006
[1] Combined sales are the sales realised by the consolidated companies, joint ventures and associated companies.
[2] The figures in this press release are provisional and unaudited. The full annual results will be published on 17 March 2005.
[3] The business segment fencing systems Europe consists of the companies involved in the sales transaction, ie Bekaert Fencing NV and its subsidiaries. The handling activity, formerly reported in this segment, is now reported in “intersegment sales/others”.
4 Excluding intersegment sales/others.