Revenue up by +14.3% over the first nine months of the year 2016

Revenue up by +14.3% over the first nine months of the year 2016

In €M
2016 (1)
2015
Var. (%)


Robotics and Integrated Systems
 
 
 


Q1
11.8
10.9
+8.2%


Q2
19.6
16.0
+22.6%


Q3
15.9
12.8
+24.1%


Total (year-to-date)
47.3
39.7
+19.1%


Aeronautics
 
 
 


Q1
5.2
4.7
+11.0%


Q2
8.5
6.6
+27.1%


Q3
4.9
6.4
-23.8%


Total (year-to-date)
18.5
17.8
+4.5%


Simulation
 
 
 


Q1
2.7
2.2
+26.2%


Q2
5.3
2.8
+89.8%


Q3
1.8
3.8
-52.6%


Total (year-to-date)
9.8
8.7
+12.4%


Revenue between the divisions and structure
 
 
 


Total (year-to-date)
(0.0)
(0.0)
n.a.


Consolidated revenue
 
 
 


Q1
19.5
17.7
+10.4%


Q2
33.5
25.4
+31.7%


Q3
22.6
23.0
-1.9%


Total (year-to-date)
75.6
66.1
+14.3%

In the first nine months of the 2016 financial year, revenue grew by +14.3% compared with the first nine months of 2015.

After a first half-year of solid growth (+23.0% compared with H1 2015), ECA Group's third-quarter revenue showed a small decline to €22.6 million (-1.9% compared with Q3 2015).

In 2015, the weighting of annual revenue on H2 was much stronger, as announced by management at the time of publication of annual revenue (see the press release dated July 26, 2016). The comparison with a very solid H2 2015 is thus disadvantageous.

The Robotics and Integrated Systems division showed a growth rate of +24.1% in the third quarter compared with Q3 2015, following growth of 16.8% in the first-half year. Third-quarter growth of the Aeronautics and Simulation divisions was down (-23.8% and -52.6% respectively). These declining numbers can be attributed to the final delivery on several large orders received for these two divisions in 2014 and 2015 (sale of six high-end axle simulators for land defense vehicles and the Airbus project).

Outlook

The Group just won the Innovation Award at the Euronaval trade show for an application of its airborne drone, the UAV IT180 in naval defense (see the press release dated October 18, 2016). This trade show delivered a wealth of qualified sales contacts. The Group's exhibit was visited by more than sixty official delegations and it now has many prospects for this end-of-year as well as for the first half of 2017.

At this specialized naval solutions trade show, the Robotics and Integrated Systems division presented its full range of underwater robots (A9-, A18- or A27-type AUVs, K-STER-type mine killers, H300/800-type ROVs, etc.) and USV INSPECTOR-type surface drones. Combined on the same vessel, these products are able to carry out complete de-mining missions (but also hydrography, surveillance and even search and assistance missions) through the sequential and/or parallel implementation of different robots equipping the vessel. Moreover,
the Group has already announced the delivery of several systems of this type to two navies, including that of Kazakhstan, since the beginning of the year (see the press release dated September 20, 2016).

In addition, still in the area of submarine robotics, the Group just announced that it will provide six A27-M-type autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV), as well as other peripheral equipment items, in the FR/UK MMCM program. The amount of the contract exceeds €15 million for this additional tranche, most of the revenue of which will be recorded for the 2017 financial year (see the press release dated October 20, 2016).

At the same time, the Group is still focused on expanding sales of its UAV IT180 drone, for both civil applications (monitoring of sensitive sites, fire monitoring, etc.) and dedicated naval applications, for example measuring vessel magnetism (see the press release dated October 18, 2016).

Lastly, the Group also presented its range of Damage Control Simulators (DCS) at the Euronaval trade show as a modern and effective solution for training teams facing dangerous situations at sea. This niche market presents very real sales opportunities: in particular, the Group has won two contracts for Damage Control Simulators in Asian countries, one in the amount of €6 million for Damage Control training for a surface vessel (see the press release dated March 9, 2016) and the other for Damage Control training for a submarine
(see the news of November 14, 2014).

In the third quarter, the Aerospace division saw its first project in Germany take shape for the supply of ergonomic modules for Airbus assembly chains, so that their operators can benefit from the best possible working position and optimize their quality of life at work and their performance time (see the news of September 7, 2016).

The Aerospace division also announced the opening of a maintenance center in Singapore to better serve its customers (existing and new) in the Asia-Pacific region. In addition, the ELTA (see the press release dated August 5, 2016) company should be acquired in 2016.

Lastly, the Simulation division, which had a particularly dynamic first half-year, should benefit from the growing need for tactical training on its markets (Civil and Defense). Its business activity in the second half of 2016 is down following the record second half of 2015.

The Group confirmed that it would exceed its revenue objective of €110 million for 2016.

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Disclaimer

This press release could contain statements on past events and forward-looking statements including statements regarding future goals or targets. Forward-looking statements reflect current expectations for results and future events.

Such forward-looking statements and targets depend on known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those anticipated herein. All these risks and uncertainties could affect the Group's future ability to achieve its targets. Risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated in the forward-looking statements and targets include, among other things:
the risks and uncertainties possibly mentioned in this press release; the strength of competition; the growth of the market; currency fluctuations; interest rate fluctuations; raw materials and freight price fluctuations; armed conflicts or political instability; obtaining the export authorizations that may be required for certain activities; control of costs and expenses; changes in tax legislation, rules, regulation or enforcement; our ability to successfully keep pace with technology changes; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel and key-men; the evolution, interpretation and uniform application and enforcement of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), according to which we prepare our financial statements; supply chain bottlenecks; the performance of our business partners (subcontractors, agents, suppliers, etc.).

Some of these risk factors are set forth and detailed in our Document de Référence (Registration Document including the annual financial report filed with the French Autorité des Marchés Financiers). This list of risks, uncertainties and other factors is not limitative. Other non-anticipated, unknown or unforeseeable factors could also have material adverse effect on our targets. The Group expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements or targets potentially contained in this press release to reflect any change in events, conditions, assumptions or circumstances on which any such statements are based.

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http://www.ecagroup.com

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ECA Group

The ECA Group is renowned for its expertise in robotics, automated systems, simulation and industrial processes. Ever since 1936, it has been developing complete innovative technological solutions to perform complex missions in hostile or restrictive environments.

Its products are used by a demanding international clientèle requiring the highest levels of safety and efficiency, mainly in the sectors of defence, maritime, aerospace, simulation, energy and industrial equipment.

In 2015, the Group reported revenue of 105.2 M€ for its three Departments: Robotics, Aerospace and Simulation.

ECA Group is a Groupe Gorgé company.

ECA Group is listed on Euronext Paris Compartiment C.

Indices : SBF 250, CAC SMALL 90 et CAC IT- ISIN code : FR0010099515

Mnémo : ECASA - Code Bloomberg : ECASA:FP

Contacts

ECA Group

Raphaël GORGE - President - T : +33 (0)1 44 77 94 00 77

Guenaël GUILLERME - Managing Director - T : +33 (0)4 94 08 90 00

Actus Finance

Natacha MORANDI - Analysts/Investors Relations - T : +33 (0)1 53 67 36 94 - nmorandi@actus.fr

Jean-Michel MARMILLON - Press Relations - T : +33(0)1 53 67 07 80 - jmmarmillon@actus.fr

Source: Actusnews