Nordex SE: Nordex targets profitable double-digit growth in 2015

DGAP-News: Nordex SE / Key word(s): Final Results2015-03-23 / 10:59---------------------------------------------------------------------* Sales to increase to EUR 1.9 - 2.1 billion (2014: EUR 1.7 billion)* EBIT margin of 5 - 6% expected (2014: 4.5%)* 16% increase in order backlog to EUR 1.46 billionHamburg, 23 March 2015. On the basis of its audited consolidated financialstatements which have now been released, Nordex (ISIN: DE000A0D6554)confirms the preliminary figures for 2014 reported in February. Accordingto these figures, the Group increased its sales by some 21 percent to EUR1,734.5 million in 2014 (2013: EUR 1,429.3 million), with earnings beforeinterest and taxes rising by 76 percent to EUR 78.0 million (2013: EUR 44.3million). Consolidated net profit grew almost four-fold to EUR 39.0 million(2013: EUR 10.3 million). Due to the increased profit and a furtherimprovement in the working capital ratio to -2.3% (2013: 2.2%), free cashflow rose to EUR 88.7 million (2013: EUR 23.8 million).At EUR 1,754 million in 2014, order intake exceeded expectations slightlyand was up 16.7 percent on the previous year (2013: EUR 1,503 million).With the book-to-bill ratio consistently positive, the backlog of firmlyfinanced orders continued to rise to EUR 1,462 million as of the reportingdate (2013: EUR 1,259 million). "Our order book and the current strong momentum in demand for our productsform a good basis for a continued positive performance this year," saidNordex CEO Dr. Jürgen Zeschky during the presentation of the full-yearfigures in Frankfurt. The Management Board expects sales to continue togrow at a double-digit rate to EUR 1.9 - 2.1 billion. At the same time, theCompany is working on improving its EBIT margin to 5 - 6% in 2015.Nordex considers its top-line growth to be largely secured as firm ordershave for the most part already been received for the projects planned thisyear. Thus, just a few days ago, it received a major order from LatinAmerica. Moreover, product development is proceeding according to plan,with series production of the N131/3000 to commence in the summer. Thisturbine is able to produce an up to 28% greater energy yield at light windlocations. At the same time, Nordex has worked on lowering the costs of themain components used in the turbine to harness efficiency gains.Says Zeschky: "We remain committed to our strategic projects, i.e.intensified product development, the programme aimed at continuouslylowering product costs, efficient project execution and expansion of ourservice business. In this way, we want to substantially improve ourearnings and also achieve further volume growth by 2017. We are now moreoptimistic about the mid-term sales target." Nordex announced itsmedium-term forecast in September 2014 and will update it during the courseof the year.---------------------------------------------------------------------2015-03-23 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - aservice of EQS Group AG.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements,Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de---------------------------------------------------------------------Language:    English                                                     Company:     Nordex SE                                                                Erich-Schlesinger-Straße 50                                              18059 Rostock                                                            Germany                                                     Phone:       +49 381 6663 3300                                           Fax:         +49 381 6663 3339                                           E-mail:      info@nordex-online.com                                      Internet:    www.nordex-online.com                                       ISIN:        DE000A0D6554                                                WKN:         A0D655                                                      Indices:     TecDAX                                                      Listed:      Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Regulated                Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Hanover,               Munich, Stuttgart                                             End of News    DGAP News-Service  ---------------------------------------------------------------------  335993 2015-03-23