DGAP-News

Wacker Neuson SE: Strong start to the year for the Wacker Neuson Group

DGAP-News: Wacker Neuson SE / Key word(s): Interim Report/Quarter
Results
Wacker Neuson SE: Strong start to the year for the Wacker Neuson Group

12.05.2015 / 07:59

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Strong start to the year for the Wacker Neuson Group

(Munich, May 12, 2015) The Wacker Neuson Group has reported a rise in
revenue and profit for the first quarter of 2015. The Munich-based light
and compact equipment manufacturer experienced strongest growth in the
Americas region. Currency fluctuations had a significant positive impact on
growth. The Group has confirmed its forecast for fiscal 2015.

Revenue 11 percent higher than the previous year
2015 got off to a good start for the Group with revenue for the first
quarter increasing 11 percent relative to the prior-year period to EUR
324.3 million (Q1 2014: EUR 291.6 million). This represents a record high
for Q1 revenue for the Group. "We have continued to implement our
strategies and they have proved effective even though - from a global
perspective - markets are moving in different directions. Our strong market
position, above all in Europe and North America, has enabled us to offset
negative market developments in South America, Russia and Australia,"
explains Cem Peksaglam, CEO of Wacker Neuson SE.

Revenue in Europe rose 7 percent compared with the previous year. This
region accounts for 71 percent and thus the lion's share of Group revenue.
The Group saw its strongest revenue growth in the Americas, however, which
posted a rise of 24 percent. Currency effects played a major role in this
region, with revenue growing 5 percent when adjusted to discount currency
fluctuations. Currency developments also impacted the Asia-Pacific region,
where Q1 revenue was 20 percent higher than in the prior-year period (6
percent when adjusted for currency effects).

Strategy increasingly paying off
The compact equipment segment again proved to be a strong revenue driver in
the first quarter of 2015. Segment revenue increased 18 percent on the
previous year (16 percent when adjusted for currency effects). "Our
strategy of harnessing and expanding our global sales network to
proactively distribute our excavators, wheel loaders, telescopic handlers,
dumpers and skid steer loaders in specific markets is increasingly paying
dividends. At the same time, we are also benefiting from our targeted
efforts to diversify into different markets. The fact that we were able to