THIRD QUARTER 2024

• Net sales amounted to EUR 45,858 thousand (57,710), a decrease of 20.5% compared with the corresponding period last year. Organic growth amounted to -17.5%.
• Operating earnings (EBIT) amounted to EUR 2,053 thousand (8,557), corresponding
  to an EBIT margin of 4.5% (14.8).
• EBITA amounted to EUR 1,727 thousand (8,586), corresponding to an EBITA margin of 3.8% (14.9).
• Operating earnings before depreciation (EBITDA) amounted to EUR 3,842 thousand (10,246), corresponding to an EBITDA margin of 8.4% (17.8).
• Underlying earnings before depreciation (underlying EBITDA) amounted to EUR 4,144 thousand (11,492), corresponding to an underlying EBITDA margin of 9.0% (19.9).
• Order intake amounted to EUR 52,924 thousand (61,205), a decrease of 13.5% compared with the same period last year. Organic growth amounted to -7.3%.
• Earnings per share amounted to EUR -54.94 (95.09).

JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2024

• Net sales amounted to EUR 124,997 thousand (138,319), a decrease of 9,6% compared with the corresponding period last year. Organic growth amounted to -8.3%.
• Operating earnings (EBIT) amounted to EUR 1,157 thousand (7,559), corresponding
  to an EBIT margin of 0.9% (5.5).
• EBITA amounted to EUR 1,247 thousand (7,649), corresponding to an EBITA margin
  of 1.0% (5.5).
• Operating earnings before depreciation (EBITDA) amounted to EUR 6,526 thousand (12,374), corresponding to an EBITDA margin of 5.2% (8.9).
• Underlying earnings before depreciation (underlying EBITDA) amounted to EUR 8,090 thousand (15,147), corresponding to an underlying EBITDA margin of 6.5% (11.0).
• Order intake amounted to EUR 145,530 thousand (157,760), a decrease of 7.8% compared with the same period last year. Organic growth amounted to -6.2%.
• Earnings per share amounted to EUR -231.57 (-112.69).
  

COMMENTS FROM THE CEO

The market restraint that we experienced in the first quarters of the year has continued in the third quarter. In several of ViaCon’s markets, investments in infrastructure have been at a lower level in 2024, compared to what we expect in the long term. This means that a need for increasing investments is building up for the coming years. During the third quarter, we have seen indications of increased activity in our key markets, including more customer enquiries, which is expected to bring improved conditions in the coming year. We expect several of our key markets to recover in the second half of 2025, which, together with our improvement initiatives, should facilitate a return to normalised earnings levels in 2025.

The slowdown in the market is noticeable in several of ViaCon’s geographies, but there are also areas that are developing positively. During the quarter, we continued to have high volumes in Turkey in Bridges & Culverts Solutions, where customers appreciate our innovative solutions with fast installation and high durability. In StormWater Solutions, the high demand for data center cooling has continued in the third quarter, with new orders to be delivered in the coming quarters.

Sales for the quarter amounted to EUR 45,858 thousand (57,710), a decrease of 20.5% compared to the previous year. Organic growth was -17.5%, adjusted for exchange rate effects, hyper-inflation adjustments, divestments and acquisitions.

Operating earnings (EBIT) amounted to EUR 2,053 thousand (8,557), corresponding to an EBIT margin of 4.5% (14.8). Adjusted operating earnings amounted to EUR 2,355 thousand (9,802), corresponding to an adjusted EBIT margin of 5.1% (17.0). Operating profit was impacted by lower volumes as a result of the cautious market situation.

Cash flow from operating activities for the quarter was lower compared with the corresponding period last year, mainly driven by lower operating earnings. Order intake during the quarter amounted to EUR 52,924 thousand (61,205), where the StormWater Solutions business unit has had robust growth in order intake while the market backdrop has hampered order intake in Bridges & Culverts Solutions and in GeoTechnical Solutions.

During the autumn, we have implemented several initiatives, to both enhance efficiency and focus on future growth, which will strengthen ViaCon’s competitiveness and position us well to benefit from an expected stronger market climate in 2025. These initiatives follow our strategic agenda, realizing synergies between our production facilities, focusing sales efforts on geographies and products with the greatest profitability potential, as well as streamlining support functions.

Stefan Nordström,
President and CEO, ViaCon Group

Presentation of the report

A live presentation of the financial results and development for the period followed by a Q&A session will be held as follows:

Date: November 14, 2024
Time: 10:00-11:00 CET
Presenters: CEO Stefan Nordström and CFO Philip Delborn
Link to webcast: https://www.finwire.tv/webcast/viacon-group/q3-2024/

The session will be recorded and available to watch on-demand via the link above.

The full report is published at www.viacongroup.com.