Growth in half-year revenue: +23.0% (vs. H1 2015), driven by a very dynamic Q2 (+ 31.7%)

Unaudited figures.

After a strong Q1 (+10.4% vs. Q1 2015), the revenue of the ECA Group showed very strong growth in Q2, with an increase of +31.7% (vs. Q2 2015).

Over the whole of the first half, revenue stood at €53.0 million: +23.0% compared to the first half of 2015.

Trade momentum for the Group's divisions, noted at the time of the publication of 1st quarter revenue (see April 26, 2016 press release) and particularly Simulation and Aerospace, was confirmed in the 2nd quarter, posting growth of +89.8% for Simulation (vs. Q2 2015) and +27.1% for Aerospace (vs. Q2 2015).

These significant increases are due to the delivery of one or more parts of some major orders from 2014 and 2015 (in particular the sale of high quality 6-axis land-based defense vehicles).

The Robotics and Integrated Systems division for its part has seen a substantial rise in growth between Q1 and Q2 (+8.2% in Q1 2016 vs. +22.6% in Q2 2016).

Outlook

Benefiting from strong prospects in all its divisions, the ECA Group expects organic growth in revenue over the financial year, even though growth is expected to be lower than in H2.

In particular, the Robotics and Integrated Systems division has begun marketing the UAV IT180-999 (captive version of the IT180 drone). The Group is planning on ramping up sales of its aerial drones for civilian applications, i.e. monitoring sensitive sites, monitoring fires, and looking for missing persons, as well as land geophysics.

A new success has just been achieved with the sale by the Group to Eurotunnel during the 2nd quarter of an aerial-drone-based security system, as the newest addition to the network of 500 cameras and 300 security agents deployed on the trans-Channel site.

In 2016 the Group also began marketing its first drone-based integrated maritime solutions and has just announced a contract totaling €10 million for the delivery of three underwater remote-controlled anti-mine drones. Thus, the Group will supply three INSPECTOR Mk2 USV - Unmanned Surface Vehicles, which will be equipped with the very latest underwater robotics systems designed by the ECA Group in 2015 (see July 12, 2016 press release).

The Aerospace division should for its part continue the same trend as in the first half of 2016 thanks to the ongoing delivery of the order of over €10 million for Airbus.

In parallel, the creation of ECA AEROSPACE during the first half of the year, consisting of the companies ECA SINTERS and ECA CNAI, should provide the ECA Group with the structure it needs for its development projects in the aeronautical sector. ECA AEROSPACE will in particular be responsible for international business development, but also solutions that combine assembly and testing, two strong objectives for the Group's Aerospace division for the coming years.

Finally, the Simulation division should see a dynamic year in terms of sales. In effect, after presenting a functional version of the driver training simulator for light military vehicles to the public at the Eurosatory trade fair in June, the group expects to see the commercial effects of this world-renowned trade fair from the second half of the year.

This year, the seasonal effect seen in previous financial years will be less pronounced. The Group's activity in the second half will nonetheless be greater than in the first half.

Without being able to say for certain what level will be achieved, the Group expects to exceed its revenue target of €110 million for 2016.

Next report: Half-year results released on September 9, 2016

Follow our latest news at: www.ecagroup.com

Disclaimer

This press release could contain statements on past events and forward-looking statements including statements regarding future goals or targets. Forward-looking statements reflect current expectations for results and future events.

Such forward-looking statements and targets depend on known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those anticipated herein. All these risks and uncertainties could affect the Group's future ability to achieve its targets. Risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated in the forward-looking statements and targets include, among other things:
the risks and uncertainties possibly mentioned in this press release; the strength of competition; the growth of the market; currency fluctuations; interest rate fluctuations; raw materials and freight price fluctuations; armed conflicts or political instability; obtaining the export authorizations that may be required for certain activities; control of costs and expenses; changes in tax legislation, rules, regulation or enforcement; our ability to successfully keep pace with technology changes; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel and key-men; the evolution, interpretation and uniform application and enforcement of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), according to which we prepare our financial statements; supply chain bottlenecks; the performance of our business partners (subcontractors, agents, suppliers, etc.).

Some of these risk factors are set forth and detailed in our Document de Référence (Registration Document including the annual financial report filed with the French Autorité des Marchés Financiers). This list of risks, uncertainties and other factors is not limitative. Other non-anticipated, unknown or unforeseeable factors could also have material adverse effect on our targets. The Group expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements or targets potentially contained in this press release to reflect any change in events, conditions, assumptions or circumstances on which any such statements are based.

The ECA Group website:

http://www.ecagroup.com

The Actusnews.com website:

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ECA Group

The ECA Group is renowned for its expertise in robotics, automated systems, simulation and industrial processes. Ever since 1936 it has been developing complete innovative technological solutions to perform complex missions in hostile or restrictive environments.

Its products are used by a demanding international clientèle requiring the highest levels of safety and efficiency, mainly in the sectors of defence, maritime, aerospace, simulation, energy and industrial equipment.

In 2015, the Group reported revenue of 105.2 M€ for its three Departments: Robotics, Aerospace and Simulation. 
 

ECA Group is a Groupe Gorgé company.

ECA Group is listed on Euronext Paris Compartiment C.

Indices : SBF 250, CAC SMALL 90 et CAC IT- ISIN code : FR0010099515
Mnémo : ECASA - Code Bloomberg : ECASA:FP
 

Contacts

ECA Group
Raphaël GORGE - President - T : +33 (0)1 44 77 94 00
Guenaël GUILLERME - Managing Director - T : +33 (0)4 94 08 90 00
 

Actus Finance
Natacha MORANDI - Analysts/Investors Relations - T : +33 (0)1 53 67 36 94 - [email protected]
Jean-Michel MARMILLON - Press Relations - T : +33(0)1 53 67 07 80 - [email protected]
 

https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-45110-PR_ECA_Revenue_H12016_ENG.pdf

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Source: Actusnews