Significantly increased order intake. Christian Berner Tech Trade’s second quarter was characterized by high activity in the market and a sharp increase in order intake, which provides good conditions for recovery during the second half of 2021. The Group’s revenue increased as a result of acquisitions. Organic growth and profits were negatively affected by weak order intake during the second half of 2020 and the first months of 2021. The effects of raw material and component shortages also had a negative effect on the quarter’s profits.

Second quarter in brief
(April–June 2021)

  • Order intake amounted to SEK 212,8 (142,4) million, an increase of 49,4 percent. In comparative terms, this was an increase of 27.8 percent.
  • Net revenue for the second quarter amounted to SEK 185,5 (163,9) million, an increase of 13.2 percent. In comparative terms, this was a decrease of 4.9 percent.
  • EBITA was 8,0 (14,0) MSEK. The total EBITA margin was 4,3 (8,5) percent.
  • Earnings per share, before and after dilution, amounted to SEK 0,28 (0,51) SEK.
  • Cash flow from operating activities was SEK 16,5 (27,1) million. Total cash flow for the period was 28,7 (21,8) MSEK.

First six months in brief
(January–June 2021)

  • Order intake amounted to SEK 381,0 (328,1) million. In comparative terms, this was an increase of 1.1 percent.
  • Net revenue for the first half of the year amounted to SEK 345,9 (339,2) million. The total increase compared to first half of 2020 was 2,0 percent. In comparative terms, this was a decrease of 11.8 percent.
  • EBITA was SEK (18,5) million and the EBITA margin was 4,6 (5,5) percent.
  • Earnings per share, before and after dilution, amounted to SEK 0,54 (0,65).
  • Cash flow from operating activities was SEK (49,9) million. Total cash flow for the period was 21,1 (70,4) MSEK.

Important events during the second quarter

  • The company held its Annual General Meeting on April 29, 2021. The dividend per share was SEK 0.75. In total, SEK 14.1 million was paid to shareholders.
  • The company employed Sara Johansson as its new HR manager from September 1.
  • Christian Berner Tech Trade acquired GF Swedenborgs Ingeniörsfirma AB on April 15, 2021. The acquisition was effective from May 3. Swedenborg is included in the accounts for May and June. Acquisition costs, of approximately SEK 1.8 million, had a negative effect on results in the second quarter. For more information, see NOTE 3 page 16.

Important events after the second quarter

  • CFO, Torbjörn Gustafsson, has decided to leave the company. He will see out a notice period of no more than six months in his current role. Recruitment of a replacement has begun.

Message from the ceo
Strong order intake
Revenue increased, although this was a weak second quarter. Improved order intake provides the right conditions for recovery during the second half of the year

Revenue increased by 13.2 percent in the second quarter of this year, due to acquisitions. When adjusted for these acquisitions, performance was weaker and the Group’s EBITA margin amounted to 4.3 (8.5) percent. We are not satisfied with these results. Profits were affected by three factors: 1) fewer incoming orders during the second half of 2020 and the first quarter of 2021, due to the pandemic 2) a shift in profit calculations for heating projects, as Covid-19 has hindered on-site work, and 3) extended delivery times, especially for larger projects, due to the reduced availability of raw materials and components.
In the second quarter, however, we saw a strong improvement in order intake, which grew by as much as 49.3 percent, in comparison to projected figures accounting for the impact of Covid-19. Due to a more favorable business and product mix, we also have better gross margins compared to last year. This means that we can look forward to better results in the second half of this year.

Market developments
In Sweden, the EBITA margin was 6,5 (10.0) percent. Order intake during the quarter was good and we are experiencing stable demand in the market. During the second quarter, we undertook several interesting projects, including for UV and water purification instruments, as well as machines and packaging material for e-commerce. It is also satisfying that GF Swedenborg, which was acquired on May 1, delivered immediate results. However, we have lacked major heating projects at Zander & Ingeström.
Denmark made a profit, with an EBITA margin of 6.1 (-1.3) percent. Order intake was weaker in this quarter, although we received some orders for Fillflex products from the processing and food sector and within the Materials Technology product area for vibration-damping material for gyms.
In Norway, we achieved an EBITA margin of 10.1 (16.0) percent and order intake for the quarter was good, with improved demand for vibration-damping materials from the construction industry. Empakk AS, which was acquired during the fourth quarter of last year, also made a positive contribution.
Finland had a weak quarter, with an EBITA margin of 3.8 (5.5) percent. Sales of vibration-damping materials for the construction industry continued to be good, although major machine investment in the processing industry is still lacking.

The Future
In our assessment, underlying demand remains stable and we can look forward to positive improvements during the rest of the year. This is guaranteed by a strong order intake during the second quarter.
Acquisitions are an important part of our growth strategy and we are seeking to add more companies to the Group. It is, therefore, gratifying that the acquisitions made in the last year have been successfully integrated and are already making positive contributions.

Bo Söderqvist
CEO, Christian Berner Tech Trade AB

For the full details, please see attached pdf-file.

For more infomation, contact:

Bo Söderqvist, CEO Christian Berner Tech Trade AB, tel +46 (0) 70-18 66 910
E-mail: bo.soderqvist@christianberner.com
www.christianberner.com

Torbjörn Gustafsson, CFO Christian Berner Tech Trade AB
+46 (0) 70-18 66 986
E-mail: torbjorn.gustafsson@christianberner.com
www.christianberner.com

About Us

Christian Berner Tech Trade Group (publ – listed on NASDAQ Stockholm) has 120 years of experience of technical trading. We offer quality products and system solutions with a focus on environmental technology from European manufacturers to industries and municipalities in Sweden, the rest of the Nordic region and for electric boilers globally. The Group has a total of 215 employees and net sales of approximately 700 MSEK. Christian Berner Tech Trade AB is the head company for trading activities and markets our product program in the whole of the Nordic region through subsidiaries in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.

This information is information that Christian Berner Tech Trade AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and the Securities Markets Act. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact persons set out above, at 2021-08-19 12:00 CEST.

Attachments

Christian Berner Tech Trade Interim Report Quarter 2 2021

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