Datacolor in fiscal 2008/09


Media information


 




Datacolor in fiscal 2008/09


Positive operating result before one-off restructuring costs – consolidated net profit positive thanks to earnings on sale of real estate – prepared for the economic upswing


Following the sale of the beverage business and the real estate portfolio, the measures introduced by the Board of Directors to realign the Eichhof Group toward the globally active color management company Datacolor are proving successful. The organizational streamlining and staffing changes have sustainably strengthened Datacolor’s profitability.


In the wake of the economic crisis, the global market for color management solutions suffered a substantial decline. Datacolor too posted a decrease in fiscal 2008/09, with net sales generated by its continuing operation down 29.5 percent to CHF 51.2 million. EBITDA amounted to CHF 1.7 million and EBIT CHF 0.3 million. Adjusted for one-off costs of CHF 2.3 million for the structural and organizational repositioning, EBIT came to CHF -2.0 million. On the other hand, extraordinary earnings of CHF 5.5 million were achieved on the sale of the real estate portfolio. As a result consolidated net profit amounted to CHF 2.6 million. Datacolor is debt-free and has a substantial net cash position of CHF 11.9 million. At approximately 60 percent, the equity ratio remains high.


Having dropped considerably at the beginning of the financial year, sales stabilized in the second half, with slight recovery in demand towards the end of fiscal 2008/09. In addition to a young management team familiar with the industry, Datacolor has a strong balance sheet, an attractive development pipeline with innovative – in some cases groundbreaking – color measurement technologies, and a successful product range. Thus the company is well prepared for a global economic recovery. By focusing on fast-growing market segments and supported by a solid financial base, Datacolor is in a position – in conjunction with strategic acquisitions – to achieve its ambitious mid-term targets for growth and profitability.