Andritz expects Euro 5 billion sales rise in 2012

Oct 10, 2012. /Lesprom Network/. At the Andritz Capital Market Day 2012, Wolfgang Leitner, President and CEO of Andritz AG, specified the sales expectations of the Group for 2012 and 2013, as the company said in the press release received by Lesprom Network. “For the 2012 business year, we expect Group sales to rise to approximately Euro 5 billion, mainly driven by processing of the large pulp & paper orders received in 2011. At present, we also anticipate positive sales development for 2013, mainly due to the expected first-time consolidation of Schuler AG. With regard to the profitability of the Andritz Group, we confirm our target to achieve an average EBITDA margin of 7% over the cycle and also intend continuing our shareholder-friendly dividend policy,” said Wolfgang Leitner. “The question that remains is how cooling of the economy in Europe and the relevant overseas markets will develop in the coming months. This will certainly have a substantial impact on whether we can achieve our goals," he added. Although there is perceptible caution in the markets served by Andritz at the moment, project activity is satisfactory in each of the Andritz business areas except Metas. Andritz plans to continue its dividend policy, which is geared towards continuity, and aims to maintain the dividend payout ratio at around 50% and increase it – depending on business development – to approximately 60% during the next years. International technology Group Andritz is a globally leading supplier of plants, equipment, and services for hydropower stations, the pulp and paper industry, solid/liquid separation in the municipal and industrial sectors, the steel industry, and the production of animal feed and biomass pellets.