RoodMicrotec, the Dutch semiconductor supplier of advanced microchips, saw stable year-on-year sales in the first-half of 2016, providing a solid platform for forecast growth in the remainder of this year and 2017.

The high quote portfolio and projected forward order income in the pipeline are expected to be the main drivers of expansion in coming months. Strong sales growth in the test engineering and qualification units (+35%), in particular, over the first six months of 2016, will be the basis for future growth in the recurring business.

Martin Sallenhag, RoodMicrotec N.V. CEO said: "Our current sales target has been maintained for 2016 following a very strong performance in the test engineering and qualification units in the first-half, which offset weaker numbers in other areas. This solid base for rising projected sales going forward has already partly materialized after we secured contracts with automotive and aerospace clients in the Failure Analysis unit earlier this month. Further contract quotes now coming through are setting the stage for our positive outlook through to 2017".

Summary HY1 2016

(x EUR 1,000) HY1 2016 HY1 2015
   
Sales 4,919 4,912
Gross margin as % of sales 85% 83%
    
EBITDA 95 -33
EBITDA as % of sales 2% -1%
    
EBIT -429 -404
EBIT as % of sales -9% -8%
    
Net result -541 -497
Net result as % of sales -11% -10%

Gross margin improved compared to 2015 which resulted in a small positive EBITDA in the first half of 2016. Depreciation increased due to investments done in the second half of 2015 and the first half of 2016. The new investments are already translating into projects that are currently in the final industrial phase before being ramped up to production. Moreover, one of RoodMicrotec's larger contracts is going into production significantly ahead of expectation, and will therefore be positively accretive to sales ahead of time in 2017.

Martin Sallenhag was appointed CEO and Reinhard Pusch became COO of RoodMicrotec in June 2016 to lead the company's growth in the rapidly expanding electric automotive, industrial and medical sectors, which will further accelerate the momentum of the market for the "Internet of Things" (IoT). Former CEO Philip Nijenhuis joined the company's Supervisory Board as an advisor to provide continuity.

The IoT refers to networks of physical objects, including devices, vehicles, buildings and other items, which are embedded with electronics and software that enables them to collect and exchange data. In particular, the automotive industry that sits at the core of RoodMicrotec's activities is on the verge of an IoT breakthrough.

Sallenhag concluded: "The growth in our core markets is presenting opportunities for RoodMicrotec to take a pole position in their integration with the IoT phenomenon. The fact that new and promising orders keep coming in, is a sign that we are already moving into this space in the market and we expect to gain further traction over the next 18 months."

ENDS

About RoodMicrotec
With more than 45 years' experience as an independent value-added service provider in the area of micro and optoelectronics, RoodMicrotec offers Fabless Companies, OEMs and other companies a one-stop shop proposition. With its powerful solutions RoodMicrotec has built up a strong position in Europe.
Our services comply with the industrial and quality requirements of the high reliability/space, automotive, telecommunications, medical, industrial and electronics sectors.

Certified by RoodMicrotec concerns inter alia certification of products to the stringent ISO/TS 16949 standard that applies to suppliers to the automotive industry. The company also has an accredited laboratory for test activities and qualification to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard.

Its value-added services include (eXtended) supply chain management and total manufacturing solutions with partners, failure & technology analysis, qualification & burn-in, test & product engineering, production test (including device programming and end-of-line service), ESD/ESDFOS assessment & training and quality & reliability consulting.

RoodMicrotec has branches in Germany (Dresden, Nördlingen, Stuttgart), United Kingdom (Bath) and the Netherlands (Zwolle).

For more information visit http://www.roodmicrotec.com

Further information
Martin Sallenhag CEO; Reinhard Pusch COO; Vic Tee chairman of the Supervisory Board; Philip Nijenhuis member of Supervisory Board; Douwe de Boer interim CFO.

Telephone: +31 38 4215216
Postal address:
RoodMicrotec N.V., PO Box 1042, 8001 BA Zwolle

Email: investor-relations@roodmicrotec.com  Web: www.roodmicrotec.com  

This press release is published in English and Dutch (and German). In case of conflict between these versions the English version shall prevail.

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RoodMicrotec_Press Release_1st Half 2016_E



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Source: RoodMicrotec N.V. via Globenewswire