Feintool result 1st quarter 2017: Solid first quar

Feintool is recording a solid first quarter in 2017. From January 1 to March 31, 2017, the technology company achieved net sales of CHF 145 million. Adjusted for currency effects, this equates to an increase of 5%. The series parts production business grew by 12.1% without the influence of exchange rates. In the investment goods segment, in contrast, net sales fell by 22.5%.

An ongoing positive market environment in combination with the strong positioning of Feintool on the market helped the company achieve a successful first quarter in 2017. Group-wide, the company reached net sales of CHF 145 million, signifying growth in reporting currency of 4.2 % . Adjusted for currency effects, this equates to an increase of 5 % .

The business in the System Parts segment, the high-volume production of sophisticated precision components, was once again the driver of growth. The segment benefited from the continued good economic situation in the automobile industry and from additional ramp-ups of acquired projects. Net sales rose here by 11 % to CHF 132.5 million which, adjusted for currency effects, equates to an increase of 12.1 % . The segment gained in all regions. The press and systems business in the Fineblanking Technology segment, in contrast, showed a noticeable reluctance to invest amongst customers in the first quarter of 2017. Here Feintool recorded a reduction in net sales of 22.3 % or, adjusted for currency effects, 22.5 % to CHF 17.1 million.

Orders received in the investment goods areas rose - good order backlog However, orders received in the Fineblanking Technology segment are showing a positive result, rising by 51 % to CHF 26.9 million. The order backlog also increased by 13.6 % to CHF 44.8 million. The extent of the order backlog in the Fineblanking Technology investment goods business is six to eight months.

Expected releases in the high-volume parts business achieve record values The releases expected over the next six months once again point towards a very high value. They rose by 6.6 % to CHF 237.1 million.

Confident outlook Against this background, Feintool expects continued positive business development for the coming year. The company expects net sales of around CHF 580 million and an EBIT margin of 7.5 % - 8%. The influences from the latest acquisition of a Chinese forming plant have not yet been accounted for in these figures.

The financial key figures at a glance

Feintool in brief Feintool is an internationally active technology and market leader in the field of fineblanking This technology is distinguished by cost-effectiveness, quality and productivity. As an innovation driver, Feintool consistently pushes the boundaries of fineblanking and develops smart solutions for its customers' ideas with two possibilities: On the one hand, our fineblanking systems and innovative tools and, on the other hand, the complete production of precise fineblanking and formed components in high volumes for demanding industrial applications. Feintool covers the entire process chain. The processes used by Feintool support the trends in the automobile industry. Thus, Feintool is a project and development partner in the field of lightweight construction, different module types, and alternative drive concepts, such as hybrid and electric. The company founded in 1959 and headquartered in Lyss, Switzerland, has its own production plants and technology centers in Europe, the United States, China and Japan so it is always near its customers. Around 2,200 employees and nearly 70 trainees work worldwide on new solutions and create key advantages for Feintool's customers.

Feintool International Holding AG Industriering 8 - CH-3250 Lyss Switzerland www.feintool.com Spokesperson

Stefan Diepenbrock Telefon +41 32 387 52 32 Mobile +41 79 342 73 08 stefan.diepenbrock@feintool.com

The press release can be downloaded from the following link:

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/Attachm...b557d3695b