FP GROUP REPORTS REVENUE AND EARNINGS GROWTH IN THIRD QUARTER OF 2012

Francotyp-Postalia Holding AG, the first multi-channel provider for mail communication, generated revenue of EUR 41.2 million and EBITDA of EUR 5.4 million in the third quarter of 2012 after EBITDA of EUR 4.6 million in the same period of the previous year. All in all, the FP Group reported consolidated net income of EUR 1.8 million following a consolidated net loss of EUR 0.9 million in the previous year.

“In the third quarter, we resolved the temporary challenges in the process and supply chain at our new production site in Wittenberge,” commented Hans Szymanski, Chairman of the FP Management Board. In particular, this progress is underlined by a comparison with the second quarter of 2012: over the past three months, the FP Group increased its EBITDA by EUR 0.9 million to the current figure of EUR 5.4 million, while consolidated net income increased by EUR 0.8 million to EUR 1.8 million.

Higher level of recurring revenue

In the first nine months of the current financial year, the FP Group generated revenue of EUR 123.9 million compared with EUR 118.9 million in the same period of the previous year. Recurring revenue, which consists of revenue from the Mail Services and Software business and from service agreements, leasing, teleporto and the sale of consumables for approximately 250,000 franking machines worldwide, increased to EUR 99.3 million in the first nine months of 2012 after EUR 92.7 million in the previous year. Income from product sales fell from EUR 26.1 million in the previous year to EUR 24.7 million in the first nine months of 2012 due to the delays in the process and supply chain in the second quarter; however, revenue of EUR 7.8 million in the third quarter of 2012 returned to the prior-year level of EUR 7.8 million.

Earnings growth

The resolution of the temporary challenges and the increased efficiency of the new production site made a significant contribution to EBITDA growth, with earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation rising to EUR 14.0 million in the first nine months of 2012 after EUR 8.4 million in the same period of the previous year. EBIT amounted to EUR 6.9 million in the first nine months of 2012 after EUR 2.8 million in the corresponding prior-year period, while consolidated net income improved significantly from EUR -5.1 million in the first nine months of 2011 to EUR 3.5 million in the same period of 2012.

FP Group confirms forecast

In light of the positive development in the past quarter, the FP Group is confirming its current forecast for 2012 as a whole. Revenue is set to amount to at least EUR 161 million, with EBITDA of EUR 19-21 million and EBIT of EUR 8-10 million. In the difficult economic environment at present, flexible production at the new site and the high level of recurring revenue are proving to be particularly valuable. Hans Szymanski, Chairman of the FP Management Board: “The FP Group is strategically on the right track. The new innovative franking system PostBase is enjoying a good reception on the market, and interest in the De Mail solution is high. Following the conclusion of its restructuring, the Company is also enjoying considerable cost benefits and can now operate more efficiently on the market thanks to its streamlined organisation.”