Financial Overview

(in million euros)

	FY2011	FY2010	Rate of Change (%)	Factors
Net Sales	2,313	1,982	16.7	1)
EBITDA	254	183	38.8	-

Factors
1)

-In 2011, the Automotive sector achieved sales of 2,313 million euros, following 1,982 million euros in FY 2010. This therefore exceeded the previous sales record of 2,249 million euros achieved in FY 2007 prior to the outbreak of the global economic crisis in 2008. With this 17% year-on-year improvement in sales, the Automotive sector not only significantly exceeded the global level of light vehicle production growth of 2.9%, but was also above the levels seen in the core markets of Western Europe (+2.9%) and NAFTA (+9.1%).

 

-All divisions, each of which enjoyed double-digit percentage improvements in sales compared to the previous year, contributed to the strong increase in sales.

Acquisitions

-The Company has acquired the plain bearing operations of Kirloskar Oil Engines Ltd. (KOEL), Pune, India. KOEL is a manufacturer of the wide range of diesel engines, diesel generating sets and engine bearings and engine valves. The company's bearing business generated annual sales of some 20 million euros in the fiscal year 2010/11 and has a workforce totaling 600 at the Ahmednagar and Pune locations. KOEL's plain bearing lineup comprises engine bearings, bushings and thrust washers chiefly for light and heavy-duty automotive applications. Customers include Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Motors, as well as Hyundai, Ford, and Honda. In addition, KSPG is already manufacturing emission-control components and pumps for the Indian automotive industry at an own facility in Pune. KSPG Group has a 20 percent stake in the Indian piston producer Shriram Pistons & Rings Ltd., New Delhi. It also has a licensing agreement for the development of cylinder heads, crankcases, bedplates and other castings with Jaya Hind Industries Ltd. (From a press release on October 4, 2011)

Business Partnership

-Nippon Piston Ring Co., is stepping up joint business with KS Kolbenschmidt, its collaboration partner in Germany with the aim of achieving the sales target of 2 billion yen in 2015. The two companies have been yielding solid results, including winning orders for mass production products in Europe and China since they formed a business tie-up in 2009. They will continue to pursue product development activities aggressively at the R&D center they have jointly set up with an aim of getting new business with overseas automakers mainly in Europe and the U.S. (From an article in the Nikkan Jidosha Shimbun on June 29, 2011)

-The Company announced that it has agreed with enTec Consulting GmbH of Germany to take over the marketing rights for the enTec's UniValve variable valve control system. UniValve helps reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of engines. The first German and foreign car makers have already conducted tests with complete engines. (From a press release on March 31, 2011)

Contracts

-Pierburg Pump Technology GmbH, a member of the Kolbenschmidt Pierburg Group (KSPG), recently booked new orders from European and American carmakers for its CWA 400 fully variable electric water pump, which will be produced at its plant at Hartha in Saxony, Germany. The orders represent total (lifetime) sales volume in excess of 200 million euros. The pumps will be installed in next generation engines as well as in a new hybrid engine developed by KSPG's customers. These projects are scheduled to enter series production in 2012 and 2013. This pump type offers the benefit of continued cooling during automatic start/stop operations, thus preventing overheating of the engine and possible subsequent damage. This technology made its debut in 2004 in BMW 6-cylinder engines. (From a press release on May 5, 2011)

R&D Expenditure

(in million euros)

	FY2011	FY2010	FY2009
Total	130	120	113

 

R&D Structure

-The Research and Technology central department which was established in 2010 continued its activities aimed at creating advance product developments and integrating technical services in 2011.

Product Development

-KS Kolbenschmidt GmbH unveiled a steel piston with an interior cooling chamber for significantly reducing the temperatures in the engine combustion bowl. The improved piston cooling effect noticeably lessens the formation of nitrogen oxides and helps meet Euro 6 emission standards. Presently the new piston is in development projects at six commercial vehicle customers; series production start-up is planned as from 2012. (From a press release on February 12, 2011)

Capital Investment

(in million euros)

	FY2011	FY2010	FY2009
Total	104	96	70

Investments Activities

-The Company invested 104 million euros in 2011, following 96 million euros in 2010. This increased expenditure compared to the same period of the previous year was primarily used to carry out the planned expansion of business activities in India and Mexico and to realize strong sales growth.  The investment ratio in the year 2011 was 4.5%, compared with 4.8% in the previous year.