Wartsila order intake climbs

Wärtsilä of Finland said its order intake increased 9% to EUR 1,163 million in the second quarter of this year.

Highlights:

– Net sales decreased 2% to EUR 1,132 million (1,152);
– Book-to-bill 1.03 (0.93);
– Operating result before non-recurring items EUR 122 million, or 10.8% of net sales (EUR 111 million or 9.6%);
– Earnings per share EUR 0.42 (0.39);
– Cash flow from operating activities EUR 61 million (38).

Björn Rosengren, President and CEO of Wärtsilä said: “The first half of 2014 has developed well. I am pleased to note that the ongoing restructuring measures have already made a positive contribution to our operating result. The savings we have achieved through these measures, together with the improved Ship Power and Services performance, have compensated for the low volumes in the Power Plants business and resulted in profitability increasing to 9.9%.

Rosengren also noted that contracting in the marine markets was active and Ship Power’s second quarter order intake developed favourably, especially in the offshore and gas carrier segments. The challenges in the overall power generation markets, however, continued to affect the company’s Power Plants business. Orders remained fairly low, although improving from the weak levels seen in the first quarter.

He expressed confidence that the activity will improve in the second half. The Services business had an active quarter in terms of signing long-term service contracts with marine customers. The interest for agreements continues to be strongest in the more specialised vessel segments.

“In July, Wärtsilä and China State Shipbuilding Corporation announced the establishment of a joint venture company, which will assume total responsibility for Wärtsilä’s two-stroke engine business. Our ownership in the joint venture will be 30%. The responsibility for servicing Wärtsilä’s two-stroke engines will remain with our Services business. The partnership will enhance the position of Wärtsilä’s two-stroke technology in the marine engine market, and will provide a strong base for future investments in leading two-stroke technology and customer support. The transaction will have a positive impact on our continuing operations and consequently our estimate for 2014 profitability has been increased to around 11.5%. We have also narrowed down our net sales guidance to around 5% growth,”  said Rosengren.

Press Release, July 18, 2014