Paris, 18 February 2015 - Saft, leader in the design, development and manufacture of advanced batteries for industry, announces its fourth quarter and full-year 2014 revenue, along with its full-year 2014 results.

2014 key figures

  • Sales of €678.4 million, strong growth of 8.7%, in line with Saft's medium term ambitions.
  • Improved profitability with an EBITDA margin of 15.3% compared to 14.8% in 2013 and EBITDA of €104.0 million.
  • Net profit of €48.1 million, up 31.8%.
  • Strong free cash flow of €46.2 million in 2014.
  • Proposed dividend of €0.82 per share, an increase of 5.1%.

Outlook

  • 2015 sales growth of over 5% at constant exchange rates.
  • EBITDA margin of at least 15.8% of sales.
  • Medium-term outlook confirmed.

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Bruno Dathis, Acting Chairman of the Management Board, commented:

"The Saft Group performed very well in 2014 in terms of both business growth and profitability.

Revenues grew strongly for the second consecutive year. Sales increased in the three main technologies, with the strongest growth coming from the lithium-ion activities. Saft continued to increase market share in several segments, particularly in the industrial standby, rail and metering markets.

The Group's operational profitability increased in 2014, supported by improved EBITDA margins in both divisions while net profit recorded strong growth.

This solid operational performance together with a well-controlled investment policy and a firm grip on the working capital requirement enabled us to increase our free cash flow very significantly in 2014.

For 2015, Saft is targeting sales growth of over 5% and an EBIDTA margin of at least 15.8%.

I am confident in our teams' ability to drive the Group's medium term development and to achieve the objectives fixed last November."

For the entire press release, please download the PDF.

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