Very large order intake, significant increase in revenue
Order intake from January to March 2023 once again exceeded the €1.5 billion mark and, at €1,513.1 million, was only 2.6% lower than the extremely high figure from the first quarter of 2022 (€1,553.8 million). Compared to the preceding quarter (Q4 2022: €1,183.1 million), order intake once again increased significantly. The strong demand means that Krones’ order backlog further increased in the first three months of 2023. As of 31 March 2023, the company had an order backlog totalling €3,780.7 million. The order backlog was thus 53.7% up on the previous year (€2,459.6 million). Compared to year-end 2022, the order backlog grew by a further 9.1% in the first quarter of 2023.
Krones’ revenue from January to March 2023 increased by a substantial 21.4% year on year, from €987.2 million to €1,198.8 million. It should be noted, however, that the previous year’s quarter was heavily impacted by supply chain problems. Material availability was better in the reporting period than in the previous year, but still not optimal. Flexible production management by Krones had a positive impact on capacity utilisation and output in the first three months of 2023. In addition to volume effects, the revenue growth was also supported by Krones’ price increases.
Krones improved the EBITDA margin in the first quarter to 9.6%
As for other companies, conditions were challenging for Krones in the first quarter of 2023. Improvements in efficiency and flexibility meant that, despite the limited availability of materials, the company was able to utilise production capacity to the best possible degree, although not to the full. Krones offset rising material costs with price increases for its machines and lines. Overall, profitability improved significantly in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the previous year. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) went up by 32.1% year on year, from €87.0 million to €114.9 million. The EBITDA margin consequently rose from 8.8% to 9.6%.
Earnings before taxes (EBT) from January to March went up by 51.7%, from €54.7 million in the previous year to €83.0 million in 2023. The EBT margin improved from 5.5% to 6.9%. Krones generated consolidated net income of €63.5 million in the first quarter of 2023, up 58.4% year on year. Earnings per share climbed to €2.01 (previous year: €1.27).
Continued very strong financial and capital base
Krones’ free cash flow developed as expected in the first three months of 2023, declining from the high prior-year figure (plus €77.4 million) to minus €21.0 million. Free cash flow was significantly influenced by working capital, which increased by €121.8 million in the first quarter of 2023 due to the rise in business volume. As a percentage of revenue, however, average working capital over the past four quarters improved to 17.9% in the reporting period (previous year: 23.0%). ROCE (return on capital employed) increased significantly in the first quarter to 17.8% (previous year: 11.7%), mainly due to the higher earnings before interest and taxes. The company’s net cash, meaning cash and cash equivalents less bank debt, amounted to €640 million at the end of March 2023. In addition, Krones had around €870 million in unused lines of credit as of 31 March 2023.
Following good first quarter, Krones confirms full-year guidance for 2023
The first quarter of 2023 saw Krones’ markets continue their stable growth, which is hardly affected by economic cycles. At the same time, the business environment remains challenging for Krones due to various uncertainties that could affect the company’s processes and production. These include geopolitical risks in Europe and other parts of the world, and also high inflation and interest rates in many countries. Material shortages and problems in global supply chains likewise remain a source of uncertainty. Krones expects that the situation on the procurement markets relevant to the company, especially for electronic components, may ease slightly only in the second half of 2023.
