Meyer Burger Technology Ltd (SIX Swiss Exchange: MBTN) decided to discontinue the proprietary wire production for diamond wire at Diamond Materials Tech Inc. (DMT) in Colorado Springs, USA. Important technology know-how will be transferred to the Technology and Product Center in Thun.
DMT has been facing a continuing global pressure on prices and margins for diamond wire volume production for quite some time. The company has executed several cost optimisations, capacity adjustments and restructuring measures since 2012. Despite this and due to the fact that diamond wire production in the solar industry has become a commodity business over the cycle, DMT has not been able to develop the diamond wire production into a profitable business unit. The Executive Board and the Board of Directors have thus decided to discontinue DMT’s diamond wire production.
This decision does not influence the strategically important product line of diamond wire based cutting equipment, such as the industrially proven DW 288, which is used for the production of high quality silicon and sapphire wafers. Customers will be able to obtain suitable diamond wire for the DW 288 Series 3 and future developments of the diamond wire cutting technologies from third parties.
As a result of the strategic decision concerning DMT, Meyer Burger can reduce its annualised operating cost base by about CHF 10 million as of the second half of 2017. The decision will lead to a workforce reduction of 72 employees in Colorado Springs.
Impact on the fiscal year 2016 results
The decision to discontinue wire production at DMT will lead to one-time non-cash related depreciation and impairment of inventory, technology and manufacturing equipment in an amount of about CHF 12 million, which will be reflected in the income statement as extraordinary result in a separate line directly above the earnings before taxes.
Based on preliminary results Meyer Burger achieved a volume in new orders of CHF 456 million (2015: CHF 418.9 million). Net sales increased by 40% compared to the previous year and reached CHF 453 million (2015: CHF 323.6 million). EBITDA was positive at about CHF 10.5 million (2015: negative EBITDA of CHF -55.9 million). This result includes, as previously communicated, one-time extraordinary expenses in conjunction with the structural programme of approximately CHF 3.5 million.
“The decision to discontinue this business activity of DMT has not been an easy one. But it is an important and necessary step on our path to quickly and sustainably improve profitability of the entire Meyer Burger Group, and thereby secure the successful and long-term future of the company”, says Hans Brändle, CEO of Meyer Burger Technology Ltd.
THIS PRESS RELEASE IS NOT BEING ISSUED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND SHOULD NOT BE DISTRIBUTED TO U.S. PERSONS OR PUBLICATIONS WITH A GENERAL CIRCULATION IN THE UNITED STATES. THIS PRESS RELEASE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR INVITATION TO SUBSCRIBE FOR, EXCHANGE OR PURCHASE ANY SECURITIES. IN ADDITION, THE SECURITIES OF MEYER BURGER TECHNOLOGY LTD HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR DELIVERED WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO U.S. PERSONS ABSENT REGISTRATION UNDER OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES LAWS.
This press release may contain “forward-looking statements”, such as guidance, expectations, plans, intentions, or strategies regarding the future. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. The reader is cautioned that actual future results may differ from those expressed in or implied by the statements, which constitute projections of possible developments. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are based on data available to Meyer Burger Technology Ltd as of the date that this press release is published. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
DMT has been facing a continuing global pressure on prices and margins for diamond wire volume production for quite some time. The company has executed several cost optimisations, capacity adjustments and restructuring measures since 2012. Despite this and due to the fact that diamond wire production in the solar industry has become a commodity business over the cycle, DMT has not been able to develop the diamond wire production into a profitable business unit. The Executive Board and the Board of Directors have thus decided to discontinue DMT’s diamond wire production.
This decision does not influence the strategically important product line of diamond wire based cutting equipment, such as the industrially proven DW 288, which is used for the production of high quality silicon and sapphire wafers. Customers will be able to obtain suitable diamond wire for the DW 288 Series 3 and future developments of the diamond wire cutting technologies from third parties.
As a result of the strategic decision concerning DMT, Meyer Burger can reduce its annualised operating cost base by about CHF 10 million as of the second half of 2017. The decision will lead to a workforce reduction of 72 employees in Colorado Springs.
Impact on the fiscal year 2016 results
The decision to discontinue wire production at DMT will lead to one-time non-cash related depreciation and impairment of inventory, technology and manufacturing equipment in an amount of about CHF 12 million, which will be reflected in the income statement as extraordinary result in a separate line directly above the earnings before taxes.
Based on preliminary results Meyer Burger achieved a volume in new orders of CHF 456 million (2015: CHF 418.9 million). Net sales increased by 40% compared to the previous year and reached CHF 453 million (2015: CHF 323.6 million). EBITDA was positive at about CHF 10.5 million (2015: negative EBITDA of CHF -55.9 million). This result includes, as previously communicated, one-time extraordinary expenses in conjunction with the structural programme of approximately CHF 3.5 million.
“The decision to discontinue this business activity of DMT has not been an easy one. But it is an important and necessary step on our path to quickly and sustainably improve profitability of the entire Meyer Burger Group, and thereby secure the successful and long-term future of the company”, says Hans Brändle, CEO of Meyer Burger Technology Ltd.
THIS PRESS RELEASE IS NOT BEING ISSUED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND SHOULD NOT BE DISTRIBUTED TO U.S. PERSONS OR PUBLICATIONS WITH A GENERAL CIRCULATION IN THE UNITED STATES. THIS PRESS RELEASE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR INVITATION TO SUBSCRIBE FOR, EXCHANGE OR PURCHASE ANY SECURITIES. IN ADDITION, THE SECURITIES OF MEYER BURGER TECHNOLOGY LTD HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR DELIVERED WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO U.S. PERSONS ABSENT REGISTRATION UNDER OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES LAWS.
This press release may contain “forward-looking statements”, such as guidance, expectations, plans, intentions, or strategies regarding the future. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. The reader is cautioned that actual future results may differ from those expressed in or implied by the statements, which constitute projections of possible developments. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are based on data available to Meyer Burger Technology Ltd as of the date that this press release is published. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
