Alfmeier Praezision AG Business Report up until FY ended Dec. 2014

Financial Overview

(in million EUR)
FY ended Dec. 31, 2014 FY ended Dec. 31, 2013 Rate of change (%) Factors
Net Sales 233.8 211.8 10.4 1)
Operating Income 8.0 5.2 53.8 -


Factors
1) Net Sales
-The Company's net sales increased by 10.4% in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 from EUR 211.8 million to EUR 233.8 million. Sales in the Seating Comfort business unit increased significantly due to an increase in unit sales of German automotive manufacturers. The Fluid Systems business unit also had increased sales. The Innovative Plastics business unit experienced a slight sales increase due to the reduction of transactions in the North American market.

Joint Ventures

-In July 2011, the Company and the SAES Getters Group, an Italian supplier of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) components, announced the incorporation of a 50:50 joint venture located in Treuchtlingen, Germany. The new company, Actuator Solutions GmbH, will develop, produce and market actuators based on SMA technology. The start of the production in Actuator Solutions GmbH was scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2012. SAES participated through its wholly owned subsidiary, SAES Nitinol S.r.l., incorporated in May 2011. The Company participated through its wholly owned subsidiary, SMA Holding GmbH. (From a press release on July 5, 2011)

Acquisitions

-In 2008, the Company acquired all shares of RKT - Rodinger Kunststoff-Technik. RKT is a plastics technology company whose customers belong to a variety of markets, including the automotive market. (From a press release on June 6, 2008)

Technological Alliance

-In 2000, the Company and VOGT electronic AG/Erlau agreed to cooperate in the development of electro-pneumatic control units for the automotive industry. A letter of intent was signed on March 22, 2000. Cooperation had already started with the development of an innovative modular pressure supply system and an electro-pneumatic seat comfort regulation system for a German OEM. The modular pressure supply system includes a patented multifunctional diaphragm pump that controls a variety of different sub-systems within a vehicle. An electronic control unit allows it to be integrated with the vehicle's system. The combination of the Company's system expertise in pneumatic pressure supply and fuel management together with the competence of VOGT in automotive electronic applications will ideally allow both companies to cover market requirements for mechatronic fluid technological solutions.

R&D Expenditure

(in million EUR)
FY ended Dec. 31, 2014 FY ended Dec. 31, 2013 FY ended Dec. 31, 2012
Overall 7.0 6.1 6.1

 

R&D Facilities

-The Company has R&D facilities at its global headquarters in Treuchtlingen, Germany and at its regional headquarters in Greenville, South Carolina, U.S.

Capital Expenditure

(in million EUR)
FY ended Dec. 31, 2014 FY ended Dec. 31, 2013 FY ended Dec. 31, 2012
Overall 11.1 10.8 9.3

 

Investment Outside Germany

<China>
-In March 2012, the Company held an inauguration ceremony for a new production facility in the Qinpu Industrial Park in Shanghai, China. The new facility was called Alfmeier Automotive Systems (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

<Korea>
-In July 2003, the Company established Alfmeier Korea Ltd., a customer service centre for sales, marketing and program management. Located in the greater Seoul area, Alfmeier Korea commenced activities in August 2003. In addition, the Company's supervisory board has approved a strategic alliance agreement with Korean automotive supplier Unick Corporation. This strategic alliance includes joint marketing and product development for Asian customers as well as mutual access to production facilities. Under this agreement, the Company can manufacture products in Korea and China while Unick can utilize Company facilities in the United States and Mexico to develop its business in the NAFTA region. Further cooperation between the Company and Unick will continue to be discussed as the initial project agreements are established.

<Czech Republic>
-In 2001, a new plant for assembly was set up in Rokycany, Czech Republic to optimize the Company's location distribution.

<U.S.>
-In 1995, the Company invested USD 5 million in a new fuel pump plant in Greenville, South Carolina. This plant is intended to feed all sales in the U.S., including a valve contract for the Jeep "Grand Cherokee", a contract with BMW in South Carolina, where the BMW "318", "325" and "Z3" are built, and contracts with Mercedes-Benz in Europe.

-In 1995, the Company opened an engineering office in Detroit and a new marketing and sales office in Troy, Michigan.

Data

Number of Employees

  Dec. 2014 Dec. 2013 Dec. 2012
Total 2,091 1,964 1,887

 

Sales by Segment

(in million EUR)
  FY ended Dec. 31, 2014 FY ended Dec. 31, 2013 FY ended Dec. 31, 2012
Seating Comfort 97.0 81.4 78.9
Fluid Systems 94.9 88.3 79.6
Innovative Plastics 38.2 37.8 38.7
Industrial Services 3.7 4.2 5.4
Total 233.8 211.8 202.6

 

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