ECKERT & ZIEGLER BG 
By The Trading Update report including key events and a selection of consolidated key figures for the 9 months ending September 30, 2011 can be downloaded at:
http://www.bebig.eu/investor_relations/financial_reports/interim_results.html:
http://www.bebig.eu/investor_relations/financial_reports/interim_results.html
As stated in our Half-Year 2011 report, it should be mentioned that comparability of the first nine months of 2011 versus the same period in 2010 is limited as the Russian project contributed significantly to the revenue and earnings in 2010, while no revenue was generated out of the project in 2011.
Sales for the first nine months of 2011 reached EUR 19.6 million, compared to EUR 22.6 million for the same period of 2010, showing a decrease of 13.3%. As discussed in the half year report this difference in sales was expected by management. The main components of revenue were generated by the sales of permanent brachytherapy I-125 radiotherapeutic implants as well as revenue from temporary brachytherapy equipment, i.e. HDR equipment using Co-60 (Cobalt 60) and Ir-192 (Iridium 192) sources (also called "afterloaders"). This two product lines together are above last year.
Earnings before interests and taxes (EBIT) reached EUR 2.2 million for the first nine months of 2011 compared to EUR 3.9 million for the same period of 2010, showing a decrease of the EBIT margin from 17.4% to 11.3%. The decrease was expected due to the fact that construction projects like Russia contribute with very strong margins in the past two years. These kinds of projects are recurring, but will not contribute on a constant basis. It should be reminded that seasonal fluctuation in the sales has as well an impact on this ratio.
Net profit reached EUR 1.0 million end of September 2011 compared to a net profit of EUR 2.6 million end of September 2010.
Total equity of the group stood at EUR 38.6 million in September 30, 2011 versus EUR 36.0 million a year earlier.
Outlook:
For the full year 2011 management expects to have revenues from sales of goods to be above the 2010 results. Revenues from sales of goods for this first nine months are already slightly higher than last year. With the 4th quarter usually being the strongest of the year and taking into account our current order book the management expects to clearly exceed last year's level of sales of goods at the end of the year.
The increased cost awareness in the public health care sector is continuing to put pressure on prices in our niche market for brachytherapy. Eckert & Ziegler BEBIG continues to address this issue with improved operational procedures and new products. Under these boundary conditions the management expects a lower EBIT margin than last year end.
Although business in developing countries is robust with reliable profitability, Eckert & Ziegler BEBIG remains dependent from the success of its distributors in their local markets. The current crisis of the EURO adds risks to their business as well as to our receivables. Current planning scenarios are done under the assumption that the current credit crisis in Europe will continue but will not lead to a credit default of a country within the European Union nor to significant changes in public health care systems.
About Eckert & Ziegler BEBIG
Contributing to saving lives!
Eckert & Ziegler BEBIG is a European-based group active in the medical device segment of the health care industry.
Eckert & Ziegler BEBIG's core business is the treatment of cancer using brachytherapy, a special form of radiation therapy.
Eckert & Ziegler BEBIG is a leader in brachytherapy in Europe. The company headquarters are in Belgium, with a production facility in Germany and subsidiaries throughout Europe and in India. In addition, Eckert & Ziegler BEBIG has a worldwide network of distributors and agents to support the international marketing of its product line.
The company's products and equipment are intended for use by oncologists, radiologists, urologists, and medical physicists.
Eckert & Ziegler BEBIG employs more than 150 people. The company has been listed on the Euronext stock exchange since April 1997.
Contact
Paul-Emmanuel Goethals
Investor Relations
Tel.: +32.64.520.808
Email: ir@bebig.eu:
mailto:ir@bebig.eu
Website: www.bebig.eu:
http://www.bebig.eu/
Karolin Riehle
Investor Relations
Tel.: +49 30 94 10 84-0
Email: info@ezag.de:
mailto:info@ezag.de
This announcement is distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of Thomson Reuters clients.
The owner of this announcement warrants that:
(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and other applicable laws; and
(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the
information contained therein.
Source: Eckert & Ziegler BEBIG via Thomson Reuters ONE
The owner of this announcement warrants that:
(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and other applicable laws; and
(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the
information contained therein.
Source: Eckert & Ziegler BEBIG via Thomson Reuters ONE
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