Lonza Half-Year Business Performance Fully on Track

24 Jul 2014 --- In the first half of 2014, Lonza’s Specialty Ingredients and Pharma&Biotech segments both delivered a sound performance despite currency headwinds and are fully on track to deliver the growth targets. Compared with the same period in 2013, sales growth of 3.2% to CHF 1.8 billion and CORE EBIT growth of 13.1% to CHF 241 million are coming from the implementation of growth projects and from restructuring activities.

Richard Ridinger, CEO of Lonza, said, “These are satisfying results; and they show that we’re on the right path with our transformational initiatives, which are already delivering first benefits and making us more market oriented and competitive. Our hard work on operational improvements and quality initiatives across the company in all regions is also demonstrating results.”

The company’s Pharma&Biotech segment reported a strong first half of the year with substantially higher sales and increased profitability. While different technologies in the three Business Units showed good progress, the segment experienced particularly strong momentum from the demand for mammalian biopharma and Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs). These positive developments were supported by a solid project pipeline across the board in our unique technology offerings.
 
The capacity utilization across the entire network was at budgeted levels in the first half of 2014 and is expected to improve going forward. Lonza continues to benefit from a good market positioning and our ability to meet growing customer interest in future technologies such as ADCs, Cell Therapy and Viral Therapy. Our continuous quality updating supports our productivity targets and fulfills our customers’ requirements.
 
The Specialty Ingredients segment had a solid performance in the first half of 2014 with the strongest contribution coming from Consumer Care, which includes Personal Care & Preservation, Nutrition and Hygiene. Industrial Solutions and Agro Ingredients both have developed well and achieved a result above last year’s level. In the Northern Hemisphere, weather conditions did not improve over last year; consequently, the Water Treatment business performed on similar levels as 2013.
 
The Specialty Ingredients segment continues to benefit from the ongoing positive impact of cost reductions and productivity improvements. Sound market demand in the major markets resulted in continued high asset utilization in most technologies. Some innovative new product launches across Specialty Ingredients that answer to the needs and requirements in our markets are expected to contribute positively in the future.
 
The strategic evaluation process of the Wood Protection business is on its way. We will update the financial markets as soon as a decision has been made to either divest the business or to go for other strategic options. From a business perspective, Wood Protection continued to improve performance as expected compared with the first half of 2013.
 
In terms of outlook, the company reported: “Our ongoing transformational initiatives towards a more market-driven organization are having a positive impact, and we have identified additional upside potential from all Business Units going forward. We will now also increase our focus on exploiting these opportunities systematically. All businesses have a solid product and project pipeline supporting future growth. The broad technology toolbox we have available enables us to serve our markets and customers with market-leading solutions.”
 
Based on a positive performance in the first half of 2014 and based on current market conditions and constant exchange rates, Lonza reiterates its Full-Year 2014 outlook with a CORE EBIT growth of ~10% and sales growth of ~5%. The capital expenditure in 2014 will remain well below CHF 300 million.