ROBIT PLC INTERIM REPORT JANUARY 1 - JUNE 30, 2017: ROBIT PLC'S GROWTH CONTINUED - COMPANY DOUBLED ITS NET SALES

ROBIT PLC STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 17 AUGUST 2017 AT 11.00 A.M.       

ROBIT PLC INTERIM REPORT JANUARY 1 - JUNE 30, 2017: ROBIT PLC'S GROWTH CONTINUED - COMPANY DOUBLED ITS NET SALES

Robit Plc's Interim Report January 1 - June 30, 2017 (unaudited)
In text H1 refers to period January 1 - June 30, 2017 and H2 to period July 1 -December 31, 2017.

During the reporting period, Robit Plc started to apply IFRS standards. The IFRS conversion accounts were published on May 12, 2017 and comparative figures have also been amended accordingly.

January 1 - June 30, 2017 in brief

• Robit listed on Nasdaq Helsinki main list. The total proceeds of the share issue were EUR 49.5 million.
• Robit expanded its offering by acquiring assets and inventories from Halco USA January and 51 percent of shareholding of Halco UK companies in February.
• H1 net sales were EUR 42.6 million (H1/2016: 21.1), change +102 percent.
• H1 adjusted EBITDA was EUR 2.9 million (H1/2016: 2.2), +33 percent. The comparability was influenced by one-time costs relating to listing and share issue totaling EUR 1.3 million and the expenses relating to acquisitions totaling EUR 0.3 million. In addition to the above-mentioned costs, the result of the first half-year was pressed by the integration of new units, global implementation of the ERP system and intense personnel investments to ensure the company's planned growth. The combined effect of these items was approximately EUR 1.7 million. In addition, the gross margin was pressed by foreign exchange losses of EUR 1.0 million.
• H1 EBITDA amounted to EUR 1.3 million (H1/2016: 2.2), change -40 percent.
• Adjusted EBITA was EUR 0.8 million (H1/2016: 1.5).
• In May 2017, the company's management estimated that the company's percentage profitability (excluding adjustment items) will remain in 2017 at the 2016 level if market demand remains at current level and there are no other disturbances in the market. According to the current view of company's management, the relative EBITA profitability (excluding comparable items) will be lower if market demand is maintained at current level and there are no other disturbances in the market.
• H1 EBIT-% was -3.0 percent of net sales (H1/2016: 7.2).
• H1 profit was EUR -1.9 million (H1/2016: 1.5). Net interest expenses of EUR 0.3 million were interest expenses and EUR 0.5 million in exchange rate losses.
• Earnings per share for the review period were EUR -0.11 (H1/2016: 0.09).
• The equity ratio at the end of the review period was 56.9 percent (H1/2016: 42.5).

*) The items affecting comparability are: share issue expenses EUR 1.3 million, acquisition-related expenses EUR 0.3 million and acquisition-related amortizations EUR 0.5 million.

CEO MIKA VIRTANEN'S COMMENTS

The company's review period was in line with the sales target. Net sales over the comparative period doubled. The company's net sales for organic growth also developed according to the company's long-term growth target. A significant part of growth came from Top Hammer products, the strongest growth being in Korea's Top Hammer products. The company's growth was supported in H1 by the increased activity of the market, especially for the company in a significant market segment in the mining industry. Market is picking up and expected to have an impact on net sales in the second half.

The company's net sales during the review period increased by 102 percent compared to the comparative period. The profitability of the review period was pressed by the exceptional costs due to the acquisitions made in 2016-2017 and the company's listing to Nasdaq Helsinki main list in May 2017. The profitability was influenced by the upfront investments in human resources and the integration of new units. The above-mentioned exchange rate performance also had a significant impact to profitability during the review period.

The implementation of the Robit 3.0 growth strategy is proceeding according to plan. The capacity of the current Korean plant has been fully utilized. As a result, the company made the largest production investment decision in its history in March 2017 to build a new, state-of-art, automated plant in Korea. The new Korean factory will be operational at the end of 2017, which will support the company's delivery capability and volume growth. This and other acquired units will provide a positive outlook for the future, especially when the market appears to be recovering after several years.

A Halco acquisition took place to support the growth strategy. Its business will be developed as an independent brand. The Halco business will benefit from the Group's sourcing, manufacturing and product development expertise.

Investments in human resources during the review period are supporting company's already extensive expertise, which together will contribute to the implementation of the growth strategy.

MARKET REVIEW

The market seems to recover after several years, especially in the investment goods. The increased market activity is especially visible in the mining industry, which is a significant market segment for the company. This will also have a positive effect on the demand for the consumables. Based on the company's view and based on past experience, H2/2017 is expected to be better than the review period.

Further, the company's previous investments in its own sales network and expansion of the supply will improve the company's operational performance and customer service. The company continued to pursue its strategy and established a subsidiary in Kazakhstan to serve customers in the region.

With the above-mentioned Halco acquisition, company's position strengthened further. This supports a global growth strategy especially in the United States and England. Robit supplemented significantly its offering in Down the Hole business already in previous year due to two acquisitions (DTA and Bulroc). Acquisitions strengthened company significantly in the consumable business, which the company has focused on in its strategy.

The share of Asia and Australia in company's net sales grew significantly compared to the comparative period. The company's management sees this market as a significant growth potential in the future.

In line with its strategy, the company targets further organic growth in all market areas. The company's systematically built own sales, service and distribution network will continue to serve as a global platform for increasing the company's sales.

OFFERING DEVELOPMENT

For the Top Hammer product line, growth is still sought by providing customers with one-stop shopping. The significance of the South Korean factory was high and the volume of shanks and rods produced there developed considerably. To support growth, it was decided on a new state-of-art factory investment in Korea. The factory investment is planned to be operational by the end of the year.

The Top Hammer business volume was EUR 16.1 million (EUR 14.6 million in the comparison period H1/2016).

Down the Hole products of the acquired companies represented a significant part of the DTH SBU sales. The company's competitiveness is expected to strengthen, and simultaneously the customer-specific delivery size will increase. The DTH business volume was EUR 26.5 million (H1/2016: 6.4). The DTH business is a significant part of the company's net sales.

The Digital Services business area made its first customer deliveries during the review period. As a result of multi-year product development, Sense Systems has formed the core of the business area. During the review period, several long-term tests were carried out with end-customers in different drilling environments. Currently, the focus is on deliveries and testing of reference sites.

Technology and related service have gained great interest in the market. The first orders for M-Sense and S-Sense were received during the review period.

NET SALES AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

*) The items affecting H1 2017 comparability are: share issue expenses EUR 1.3 million, acquisition-related expenses EUR 0.3 million and acquisition-related amortizations EUR 0.5 million. In 2016 the items affecting comparability were: acquisition-related expenses EUR 2.8 million.

The Group's net sales during the review period were EUR 42.6 million (21.0), an increase of 102 percent from the comparison period. This growth was especially due to the consolidation of the acquired business during the previous financial year, but also to organic growth.

EUR 16.1 million (14.6) of the review period net sales came from the Top Hammer business and EUR 26.5 million (6.4) from the Down the Hole business. The Digital Services business did not yet generate significant net sales and focused mainly on reference deliveries.

Of the Group's net sales, the EMEA accounted for EUR 14.7 million (12.3), Australia & Asia EUR 18.8 million (4.1), Americas EUR 7.0 million (2.9) and East EUR 2.2 million (1.8).

The Group's EBIT for the review period was EUR -1.3 million (1.5). The EBIT-% was -3.0 percent (7.2) of the net sales for the review period. The result of the business was influenced by the upfront investments in human resources and on the integration of new units. The above-mentioned exchange rate performance also had a significant impact on the decline in profitability during the review period.

EBITA was EUR -0.8 million (1.5). Adjusted EBITA was EUR 0.8 million (1.5), thus 1.8 per cent (7.2) of net sales. Items affecting comparability are items relating to acquisitions and share issue, which are as follows.

When looking at profitability, the following items of income and expense must be considered:

• amount of listing expenses totaled EUR 2.9 million, of which EUR 1.3 million were expensed.
• acquisition-related expenses amounted to EUR 0.3 million
• acquisition-related amortizations of EUR 0.5 million

Adjusted EBITDA has thus been adjusted for a total of EUR 1.6 million.

The Group's net financial expenses were EUR 0.8 million (H1/2016: 0.4), of which interest costs portion was EUR 0.4 million. Result before taxes was EUR -2.1 million (1.9) and taxes EUR 0.2 million (-0.4). The impact of exchange rates on operational operations was also negative in the review period.

FINANCIAL TARGETS

In line with its strategy, the company will continue strongly as a growth company. Growth is targeted with an average annual organic growth rate of at least 15 percent.

During the review period, the company's growth was 102 percent to comparative period, with growth being in line with expectations, most of which based on new acquisitions. The company's targets to grow through acquisitions were implemented in the beginning of the year, when Robit acquired assets, inventories and IPRs from Halco International LLC and Halco America LLC on January 12, 2017 as well as a majority of Halco Brighouse Ltd's shares on February 16, 2017

Company has adopted IFRS in 2017. The relative EBITA profitability (excluding adjustment items) calculated in accordance with the IFRS financial statements for 2016 was 11.7%. In May 2017, the company's management estimated that the company's percentage profitability (excluding adjustment items) will remain in 2017 at the 2016 level if market demand remains at current level and there are no other disturbances in the market.

According to the current view of company's management, the relative EBITA profitability (excluding comparable items) will be lower if market demand is maintained at current level and there are no other disturbances in the market.

The long-term strategic goal is to achieve an EBITA margin of over 13 percent over the economic cycle.

Post-acquisitions integration projects will further enhance the importance of optimizing the product range, inventory turnover, lead times and logistics efficiency. The company will intensify its management of working capital, while maintaining the good service of customers in the globally chosen market segments in the future.

FINANCING AND INVESTMENTS

The Group's net cash flow from operating activities for the review period was EUR 0.1 million
(H1/2016: -0.7). The effect of changes in working capital was EUR -0.2 million (H1/2016: -2.1).

In the reporting period, the change in working capital during the review period was mainly due to a growth in receivables of EUR 2.3 million and an increase of EUR 2.2 million in inventories. The increase in non-interest-bearing liabilities was EUR 4.3 million. With the development program working capital will decrease significantly.

Net working capital amounted to EUR 39.3 million (H1/2016: 17.3) at the end of the review period. Company acquisitions are the main reason for the net working capital increase.

Net cash flow from investing activities was EUR -5.9 million (H1/2016: -31.6). Gross investments were EUR 5.9 million (H1/2016: 31.6). Of the investments, EUR 2.1 million related to the Korean new plant's investment and EUR 1.8 million to Halco assets.

Net cash flow from financing activities EUR 49.8 million (H1/2016: 25.2) consists of EUR 49.5 million of the share issue and net change in loans.

Liquid assets at the end of the review period totalled EUR 54.7 million (H1/2016: 26.3) and interest-bearing financial liabilities totalled EUR 51.5 million (H1/2016: 37.3).

The Group's equity at the end of the review period was EUR 95.7 million (H1/2016: 47.4).

At the end of the review period, the Group's equity ratio was 56.8 per cent (H1/2016: 42.5) and the net debt to equity ratio was -4.1 percent (H1/2016: 23.3) as a result of the company's good financial position after share issue.

Depreciation was 2.6 (H1/2016: 0.7) million. The growth of depreciation of EUR 1.9 million was mainly due to the increase in the depreciation through the companies acquired in 2016 and 2017, and EUR 0.5 million to the amortization of the purchase price allocations of the acquisitions.

FUTURE OUTLOOK

Robit supplemented its offering with the acquisition of Halco. This acquisition also supports the growth strategy.

The new product offering from this and previous acquisitions combined with the company's expanded distribution network and a more developed dealer network enable good growth opportunities in the new group. The professional, efficient and customer-oriented dealer network is essential for the future organic growth of the company. According to the management, the above-mentioned factors create good conditions for strengthening the company's market share and market position in the future. With the wider delivery range company is able to serve customers better.

The company continues to evaluate suitable potential acquisition targets as part of the global consolidation trend in the industry, which the company's management expects to continue further. The development of the Halco business also strengthens Robit's growth strategy.

SHARES AND SHARE TURNOVER

The number of shares on June 30, 2017 was 21,083,900 shares.

The number of shareholders on June 30, 2017 was 2,051.

The company holds 94,674 treasury shares (0.5 percent of the number of shares).

The market capitalization on June 30, 2017 was EUR 219 million (share price was EUR 10.40).

During the review period, the company made a directed share issue to institutional investors, which were issued 5,000,000 new shares. The issue price was EUR 9.90 per share and a total of EUR 49.5 million of new capital was collected.

PERSONNEL AND MANAGEMENT

At the end of the review period, the company's personnel amounted to 325 (144. The increase in the number of employees was due to the personnel of the companies acquired during the previous financial year and the period under review. During the review period, the number of employees grew by 62, two thirds of which came from acquisitions and one third through additional recruitment. Of the company's personnel, 73 percent were outside Finland.

Company strengthened its management with the following persons: Group CEO Mika Virtanen, Group CFO Ilkka Miettinen, VP Down the Hole Tommi Lehtonen, VP East Jorma Juntunen and VP EMEA Kari Alenius. VP Top Hammer Olli Kuismanen, VP Americas Mikko Mattila and HR Manager Terhi Mäkinen left the company.

RESOLUTIONS OF GENERAL MEETINGS

Robit Plc's Annual General Meeting on March 28, 2017 approved the presented financial statements for January 1 - December 31, 2016 and decided that a dividend of EUR 1 598 922.60 to be paid. It was resolved to discharge the members of the Board of Directors from liability for the financial period of 2016 and the CEO for the financial period of 2016.

The following persons were elected as the Board of Directors: Mammu Kaario as a new member and Tapio Hintikka, Matti Kotola, Kalle Reponen and Harri Sjöholm as old members. Anni Ronkainen was no longer available for re-election to the Board of Directors. It was resolved to elect Harri Sjöholm as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Ernst & Young Oy, an Authorized Public Accounting firm, was elected as the company's auditor and Authorized Public Accountant Mikko Järventausta as the auditor-in-charge.

Robit Plc's Extraordinary General Meeting held on 20 April 2017 made the following key resolutions:

The Extraordinary General Meeting resolved to authorise the Board of Directors to decide on the acquisition of a maximum of 1,608,390 own shares, in one or several tranches, using the Company's unrestricted shareholder's equity. The maximum number of shares to be acquired equals to approximately 10% of all shares in the Company at the date of the notice to the EGM. However, the Company, together with its subsidiary companies, may not at any point own more than 10% of all the shares in the Company. Own shares may be purchased under the authorisation using only the unrestricted shareholders' equity.

The shares are acquired otherwise than in proportion to the share ownership of the shareholders in public trading arranged by Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd at the market price on the date of the acquisition or otherwise at a price formed on the market. The Company's own shares may be acquired, for instance, to carry out possible corporate transactions or as part of share-based incentive systems, or for other purposes as decided by the Board of Directors, as well as otherwise for further transfer, retention or cancellation. The Board of Directors is authorised to decide on all other terms and conditions regarding the acquisition of the Company's own shares.

The Extraordinary General Meeting resolved that this authorisation cancels the authorisation granted by the Annual General Meeting on 18 March 2016 to decide on the acquisition of own shares.

The authorisation is in force until the end of the following Annual General Meeting, however not longer than until 30 June 2018.

The Board of Directors resolved to authorise the Board of Directors to decide on the issuance of shares and special rights entitling to shares referred to in chapter 10, section 1 of the Limited Liability Companies Act, in one or more tranches, either against or without consideration.

The number of shares to be issued, including the shares to be issued on the basis of special rights, may not exceed 7,000,000, which equals to approximately 43.5% of all the shares in the Company at the date of the notice to the EGM. The Board of Directors may decide to issue either new shares or to transfer any own shares held by the Company.

The authorisation entitles the Board of Directors to decide on all terms of the share issue and transfer of special rights entitling to shares, including the right to deviate from the shareholders' pre-emptive right. The authorisation may be used to finance the Company's growth, as consideration in corporate transactions, as part of the Company's incentive systems, or for other purposes as decided by the Board of Directors.

The authorisation remains in force for five years from the end of the Extraordinary General Meeting. This authorisation cancels any previous unused authorisations to decide on the share issue and issuance of options or other special rights entitling to shares.

CHANGES IN GROUP STRUCTURE

During the review period, the company acquired 51 percent of Halco UK's shareholding (Halco Brighouse Ltd, Halco Drilling Tools Ltd). A new subsidiary, Robit LLC, was established in the USA, which acquired Halco USA's assets. In addition, the company established a new subsidiary in Kazakhstan (TOO Robit).

RISKS AND BUSINESS UNCERTAINTIES

The company's risks and uncertainties are related to the company's operating environment, its possible changes and global economic development.

In addition, uncertainty factors include exchange rate developments, the functioning and introduction of new information systems, the integration of acquisitions, security of supply and logistics risks, IPR risks and uncertainties associated with the company's operations. In addition, changes in tax and customs legislation in the export countries may harm the export trade or profitability of the company.

The possible realization of the risks is expected to have a negative impact mainly on the company's growth, financial position and profitability as well as the image. The company's management does not expect these risks and uncertainties to be significant at the time of the review.

OTHER EVENTS DURING THE REVIEW PERIOD

Mika Virtanen, M.Sc. Economics and Production Technologies, (42), was appointed the new Group CEO of Robit Plc in May 1, 2017. Virtanen has made a career of over 20 years in several management positions in metal and automation industry. He worked since 2002 for Cargotec Corporation in international operations before joining Robit.

Company listed on Nasdaq Helsinki main list on May 17, 2017.

The listing enabled a new share issue for institutional investors. The gross proceeds from the issue totaled EUR 49.5 million to finance growth.

EVENTS AFTER THE REVIEW PERIOD

Robit has recruited Jukka Pihamaa, M.Sc, Engineering, MBA, as the VP Supply Chain and Mikko Vuojolainen, M.Sc, Engineering, MBA as the VP Americas. Both will begin their duties later in the autumn at a time to be announced separately.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION EVENTS

An analyst and press conference in connection with the publication of the half-year financial report will be held for analysts, investors and media representatives on Thursday, 17 August 2017 at 1.00 p.m. The conference will take place in Helsinki at Event Arena Bank (meeting rooms 24-25), Unioninkatu 22, 00130 Helsinki. Entrance through Havis Business Center.

Doors will be open at 12.30 p.m. The conference will be held in English.

The event is open for everybody. However, it is advisable to register to the event by Thursday 10 August 2017 via email investors@robitgroup.com.

The conference can also be viewed as a live webcast at http://live.mentoraid.fi/9uer5t/. Registration is not required.

The presentation material and record will be available on the company's website at http://www.robit.fi/investors/financial-information/ after the analyst and press conference.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND REPORTING SCHEDULE IN 2017

The company will present its net sales figures from the time period January 1, 2017 - September 30, 2017 on October 19, 2017.

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

This release has been prepared in accordance with the International Accounting Standards (IFRS) recognition and measurement principles. All figures in the statement of financial statements and notes are rounded, which means that the aggregate amount of the individual figures may differ from the amount presented.

Robit has made a preliminary assessment of the application of IFRS 15 and no significant change is expected in the valuation or timing of the sales net sales. The application of IFRS 15 will be launched in the Group during the rest of 2017.

Lempäälä, August 17, 2017

Robit Plc

Group CEO Mika Virtanen
Board of Directors

Summary of Financial Statements

Acquisitions

In 2017 Robit has executed its global growth strategy by strengthening its appearance in USA and UK. First Robit acquired the manufacturing assets and IPRs from Halco International LLC and Halco America LLC ("Halco US") as at 12 January 2017.

In February 2017 Robit purchased a majority (51%) of Halco Brighthouse Ltd's shares, which is the Halcos operating company in England. The agreement includes the acquisition of 100% of the shares in Halco Drilling Ltd and Paddico (320) Ltd, which owns 51% of Halco Brighthouse Ltd shares ("Halco UK"). The deal included also the right and obligation to purchase the rest of the shares (49%) after a year on the basis of an option.

These acquisitions strengthen Robit's Down the Hole business and complement the acquisition that were executed in Australia and UK in 2016

Total consideration for the acquisitions amounted to EUR 4 078 thousand, of this EUR 1 798 thousand was settled by issuing shares in Robit, EUR 1 812 thousand was settled in cash at closing.  Deferred consideration amounting to EUR 468 thousand was settled in cash on April. The exercise price of the option to purchase 49% of the shares in Halco Brighthouse Ltd is linked to the net sales in 2017 and it is capped to EUR 350 thousand (GBP 300 thousand).

As the deal of Halco UK included obligation to purchase rest of the shares (49%) in Halco Brighouse Ltd from the key employees of Halco Brighouse Ltd, the company has been consolidated in full to the Robit Group. The price for the remaining shares is tied to the adjusted sales of Halco Brighouse Ltd and is considered as employee benefit. As at the reporting date, the management's estimate is that the payable for the remaining shares is the maximum GBP 300 thousand. For the six month period ended 30 June 2016 EUR 147 thousand (GBP 126 thousand) is recognized as employee benefit expense.  

The following table summarizes the consideration paid for Halco UK and Halco US, the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date.

Acquisition-related costs (EUR 299 thousand) have been charged to administrative expenses in the consolidated income statement for the period ended 30 June 2017.

The fair value of the 200 thousand ordinary shares issued as the consideration paid for Halco UK was based on the published share price on 16 February 2017. There were no significant issuing costs.

CALCULATION OF KEY FIGURES

Further information:

Mika Virtanen, Group CEO
+358 40 832 7583
mika.virtanen@robitgroup.com

Harri Sjöholm, Chairman
+358 400 622 092
harri.sjoholm@robitgroup.com

Robit is a strongly internationalized growth company selling and servicing global customers in drilling consumables for applications in mining, construction and contracting, tunneling and well drilling. The company's offering is divided into three product and service range: Top Hammer and Down-the-Hole products as well as Digital Services. Robit has 21 own sales and service points as well as active sales networks in 115 countries. The manufacturing units are located in Finland, South Korea, Australia, UK and USA.

Distribution:         
Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd
Key media
www.robitgroup.com