No. 2 2018 Solar discloses the preliminary results for 2017 and writes down goodwill and customer lists


LEI: 21380031XTLI9X5MTY92

Solar has decided to disclose the preliminary, unaudited results for 2017 earlier than originally planned, as preliminary EBITA amounts to DKK 264m against the expected approx. DKK 285m.

The deviation in EBITA is primarily attributable to: 

  • approx. DKK -10m pertaining to related business, including MAG45, Scandinavian Technology Institute (STI) and Solar Polaris.
  • approx. DKK -7m in increased non-recurring costs primarily attributable to increased termination costs within the core business.

Furthermore, in connection with the preparations for Annual Report 2017, Solar has carried out a review of goodwill, customer lists and other intangible assets. Based on this review, the company has decided to write down goodwill, customer lists and other intangible assets by DKK 97m.

The write-downs are primarily related to goodwill and customer lists in connection with the company's activities in MAG45, a supply chain specialist, and STI, a training and consultancy company. Furthermore, the earn-out liability concerning STI has been reassessed. This reassessment has resulted in a DKK 15m reversal under financial income and expenses, net.

In addition, the Board of Directors has determined a need for write-down of the associated business BIMobject AB based on the share price development. This means that the value of BIMobject is written down by DKK 59m.

The write-downs affect Solar's Annual Report for 2017. We maintain our expectations for revenue of approx. DKK 11.7bn, corresponding to organic growth of approx. 6 %. We now expect EBITA for 2017 of approx. DKK 264m against previously approx. DKK 285m.

The financial consequences of the write-downs as well as the preliminary, unaudited key figures for 2017 are included in the below tables.

Select key figures for Solar Group, 2017*


DKK million
Prior to
write-downs
Effect of
write-downs

2017

2016
Revenue 11,769 - 11,769 11,072
EBITA 264 - 264 278
Amortisation -72 -97 -169 -56
EBIT 192 -97 95 222
Net profit of associates -11 - -11 -
Impairment related to associates 0 -59 -59 -
Net profit before financial income and expenses 181 -156 25 222
Financial income and expenses, net 53 15 68 -34
Net profit before tax 234 -141 93 188

Q1-Q4
DKK million
Revenue
2017
Revenue
2016
EBITA
2017
EBITA
2016
Core business 11,313 10,748 309 290
Related business 456 324 -45 -12
Solar Group 11,769 11,072 264 278

Q4
DKK million
Revenue
2017
Revenue
2016
EBITA**
2017
EBITA
2016
Core business 3,015 2,916 94 107
Related business 124 94 -16 -5
Solar Group 3,139 3,010 78 102

* The stated figures are preliminary and subject to the finalisation of audit.
** Q4 2017 was affected by restructuring costs of approx. DKK 20m within the core business and approx. DKK 2m within related business. In Q4 2016, non-recurring costs relating to the core business amounted to DKK 5m., net.

Write-downs 2017

DKK million Write-down
Core business 10
Related business 87
Digital, construction & services 59
Total 156

Annual Report 2017 will be published on 9 February 2018 in accordance with the financial calendar.

Yours sincerely,
Solar A/S

Jens Andersen

Contacts:
CEO Jens Andersen - tel. +45 79 30 02 01

CFO Michael H. Jeppesen - tel. +45 79 30 02 62

Director, Stakeholder Relations Charlotte Risskov Kræfting -
tel. +45 40 34 29 08

Facts about Solar
Solar Group is a leading sourcing and services company. Our core business centres on product sourcing, value-adding services and optimisation of our customers' businesses.

Being a sourcing and services company, we focus on each individual customer. We always strive to understand our customers' unique and genuine needs in order to provide relevant, personal and value-adding services, turning our customers into winners.

Solar Group is headquartered in Denmark, generated revenue of approximately DKK 11.1bn in 2016 and has more than 3,000 employees. Solar is listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen and operates under the short designation SOLAR B. For more information, please visit www.solar.eu.

Disclaimer
This announcement was published in English and Danish today via Nasdaq Copenhagen. In the event of any inconsistency between the two versions, the English version shall prevail.


Attachments

fb201802 Preliminary results and write-downs