Form 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Report of Foreign Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of: March 2007
SGL CARBON Aktiengesellschaft
(Name of registrant)
Rheingaustrasse 182
65203 Wiesbaden
Germany
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
-------
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the SEC
pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:
Yes No X
----- ---
If "Yes" is marked, indicate the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): N/A
Exhibit Index
-------------
1. March 5, 2007 German Press Release - SGL Carbon Expands Position in
Carbon Fibers and Composites
2. March 8, 2007 German Press Release - SGL Group Develops ECOPHIT
Innovative Graphite Construction Material
3. March 8, 2007 German Press Release - SGL Group 2006 Financial
Results
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SGL CARBON Aktiengesellschaft
Date: March 8, 2007 By: /s/ Robert J. Kohler
------------------------------
Name: Robert J. Koehler
Title: Chairman of the Board of
Management
By: /s/ Sten Daugaard
------------------------------
Name: Mr. Sten Daugaard
Title: Member of the Board of Management
EXHIBIT 1
SGL Carbon further expands its position in carbon fibers and composites with
joint ventures and capital expenditure
o Joint venture with Lenzing AG to ensure raw material supply in the long
term
o Successful market launch of a new high-performance carbon fiber developed
in conjunction with Mitsubishi Rayon
o Construction, startup and planning of three further carbon fiber production
lines
o Commissioning of a modern carbon fiber prepreg plant in Meitingen
o Acquisition of majority share in joint venture with F.A. Kumpers GmbH for
processing carbon fibers
Wiesbaden, March 5, 2007. Steadily increasing prices for energy and raw
materials as well as growing demand for increasingly scarce resources require
ever greater use of energy-saving, high-performance materials. Carbon fibers are
indispensable here. They make it possible to manufacture materials which are
both considerably lighter and more robust, and feature exceptional properties.
One important example is the new generation of airplanes such as the Airbus
A380, Boeing 787 and Airbus A350. As a result of the heavy stress-factor, the
wind energy industry also needs carbon fiber materials for its new blades with
spans of up to 60 meters. Carbon fibers are also used for sports equipment such
as golf clubs, hockey sticks and tennis racquets as well as kayaks and bicycles.
Racing yachts competing for the America's Cup are now manufactured entirely from
carbon, too. Carbon fibers are also becoming more popular for normal yachts as a
material with which to produce heavy-stressed parts such as masts. The
automotive industry also increasingly focus on this innovative material,
initially in the premium vehicles and super sports cars from the major
manufacturers. In addition, Carbon fibers are already used in special parts of
upper mid-range vehicles.
As early as the end of the 1990s, SGL Carbon began to serve this trend with its
development division SGL Technologies (SGL T) in appropriate R&D programs and
pilot plants. SGL Carbon is now beginning to see the fruits of this development
in the Business Unit Carbon Fibers and Composites (CFC), which has emerged out
of the former SGL T. The newly created business unit, which bundles the entire
added value chain from carbon fiber to composite material is now being steadily
expanded with acquisitions, joint ventures and capital expenditure for new
production facilities. CFC is one of the two Business Units combined in SGL
Carbon's "Advanced Materials" Business Area and is an essential driver for
future profitable growth. The second Business Unit in Advanced Materials,
Graphite Materials and Systems (GMS), manufactures products from specialty
graphite for the solar, lithium-ion battery and nuclear power industries,
graphite foils for air-conditioning and heat management as well as graphite
products for the construction of plants in the chemical and environment
industries.
SGL CARBON AG
Corporate Communications, Media Relations
Rheingaustrasse 182, D-65203 Wiesbaden
Tel.: +49 (6 11) 60 29-100, Fax: +49 (6 11) 60 29-101
E-Mail: cpc@sglcarbon.de, Internet: www.sglcarbon.de
CFC's strategy aims at the supply of carbon fibers and relevant semi-finished
products for customers in industrial applications such as the wind, automotive
and sports industries. In recent months, the following steps were taken in this
respect:
1. As a result of the agreement on a joint venture with Lenzing AG concluded
early March 2007, SGL Carbon has now secured long-term supply of the raw
materials it requires for production of carbon fibers. In this joint
venture, a special polyacrylonitrile fiber precursor, the respective raw
material for carbon fibers, is to be manufactured. Therefore, the Company
will become independent of the purchase of the precursor. The joint
venture is subject to final approval of the german antitrust authorities.
2. In addition, SGL Carbon has now successfully launched on the market a
high-quality multi-filament carbon fiber as part of its strategic alliance
with the Japanese Mitsubishi Rayon Corp. (MRC). Compared to the
low-filament fibers common on the market, production of these carbon
fibers is particularly cost-effective while maintaining the high standard
of quality. Long-term purchase agreements have already been concluded with
a major customer from the wind energy industry.
3. In order to satisfy the increasing demand from customers worldwide, SGL
Carbon has started and implemented various capital expenditures to
increase its carbon fiber capacity. Already in 2006, work began on
construction of an additional carbon fiber production line in the plant in
Inverness/Scotland. This will start production in August 2007. A further
line for Inverness is already being planned and will be ready in 2008.
Moreover, a third line is planned for 2008 as part of another joint
venture with Lenzing AG in Germany. In the mid-term planning over the next
five years, SGL Carbon will spend a total budget of (euro)80 million for
this capital expenditure measures. This will lead to carbon fiber capacity
increases from 2,000 tons at present to 6,000 tons.
4. In December 2006, SGL Carbon commissioned one of the most modern plants
for production of carbon fiber prepreg in Meitingen. Beside multi-axial
fabrics, prepeg is an important carbon fiber-based fabric product, which
is used in a number of different industries. For example, with this
product the Company supplies also one of the leading manufacturers of wind
energy plants worldwide.
5. In January 2007, SGL Carbon acquired a majority interest in F.A. Kumpers
GmbH. As a result of this joint venture, the Company has acquired
innovative technologies for processing its carbon fibers in multi-axial
fabrics. These allow direct access to the large market potentials for
carbon fibers, particularly in the wind energy and automotive industries.
The Company is thus planning to become one of the leading manufacturer for
carbon fibers and carbon fiber composites in both industries.
2
SGL Carbon is the only European manufacturer in the highly concentrated global
carbon fiber market and plans to further expand its position with carbon fibers
and composites on the basis of acquisitions, joint ventures and capital
expenditure.
The Company will provide more information on the Company's repositioning at its
year-end press conference on March 8, 2007.
SGL Carbon
----------
SGL Carbon is one of the world's leading manufacturers of carbon-based products.
It has a comprehensive portfolio ranging from carbon and graphite products to
carbon fibers and composites. SGL Carbon's core competencies are its expertise
in high-temperature technology as well as its applications and engineering
know-how gained over many years. These competencies enable the Company to make
full use of its broad material base. SGL Carbon's carbon-based materials combine
several unique properties such as electrical and thermal conductivity, heat and
corrosion resistance as well as high mechanical strength combined with low
weight. Due to the paradigm shift in the use of materials as a result of the
worldwide shortage of energy and raw materials, there is a growing demand for
SGL Carbon's high-performance materials and products from an increasing number
of industries. Carbon and graphite products are used whenever other materials
such as steel, aluminum, copper, plastics, wood etc. fail due to their limited
properties. Products from SGL Carbon are used predominantly in the steel,
aluminum, automotive, chemical and glass/ceramics industries. However,
manufacturers in the semiconductor, battery, solar/wind energy, environmental
protection, aerospace and defense industries as well as in the nuclear energy
industry also figure among the Company's customers.
With around 30 production sites in Europe, North America and Asia as well as a
service network covering more than 100 countries, the SGL Group is a company
with a global presence. In 2005, the Company's workforce of 5,300 generated
sales of (euro) 1 billion. The Company's head office is located in
Wiesbaden/Germany.
Important note:
This press release contains statements on future developments that are based on
currently available information and that involve risks and uncertainties that
could lead to actual results deviating from these forward-looking statements.
The statements on future developments are not to be understood as guarantees.
The future developments and events are dependent on a number of factors, they
include various risks and unanticipated circumstances and are based on
assumptions that may not be correct. These risks and uncertainties include, for
example, unforeseeable changes in political, economic and business conditions,
particularly in the area of electrosteel production, the competitive situation,
interest rate and currency developments, technological developments and other
risks and unanticipated circumstances. We see other risks in price developments,
unexpected developments relating to acquired and consolidated companies and in
the ongoing cost optimization programs. SGL Carbon does not intend to update
these forward-looking statements.
Contact person:
---------------
Corporate Communications / Press office / Stefan Wortmann
Tel. : +49 611 60 29 105 / Fax : +49 611 60 29 101 / Mobile : +49 170 540 2667
e-mail : stefan.wortmann@sglcarbon.de / Internet : www.sglcarbon.de
3
EXHIBIT 2
SGL Group has developed an innovative graphite construction material for use in
building air conditioning systems
Wiesbaden, March 8, 2007. The SGL Group will be presenting its innovative
graphite construction material ECOPHIT(TM) for use in air conditioning systems
at the ISH from March 6 to 10 in Frankfurt. The ISH is the world's leading trade
show for bathroom, building, energy, air-conditioning technology and renewable
energies.
Due to the rise in temperatures caused by climate change and the resulting high
room temperatures in buildings and offices, the demand for efficient,
environmentally friendly systems for air-conditioning in buildings is
increasing. As the indoor environment has a decisive influence on the well-being
and productivity of people, room air conditioning is becoming increasingly
important in the field of technical building equipment. For this reason,
integral, energy-efficient and environmentally friendly concepts for room
cooling, heating and ventilation systems are absolutely essential in new
buildingprojects and the refurbishment of existing buildings.
As an innovative material based on expanded natural graphite, ECOPHIT(TM)
is used in building air-conditioning systems to ensure optimum heat
distribution. The material is therefore particularly suitable for use in panel
heating and cooling systems and forms the new basic material for cooling
ceilings, surface tempering and latent heat storage (PCM) systems. Thanks to its
excellent thermal conductivity, ECOPHIT(TM) can improve the performance of
existing air-conditioning systems in buildings (cooling ceilings, for example)
significantly. In addition, ECOPHIT(TM) allows innovative heat distribution and
heat storage systems to be developed - while protecting the environment and
natural resources on a long-term basis.
The ECOPHIT(TM) product family includes both foils and plates in very different
thicknesses as well as granules and powder made from expanded natural graphite.
Furthermore, PCM/graphite composite materials are manufactured from these
products and used in high-performance thermal energy storage systems.
Not only is natural graphite very light as well as an excellent thermal and
electrical conductor, it also presents no health risks and is non-flammable,
soft, compressible, non-ageing, sound-absorbent and electromagnetically
shielding.
The SGL Group will be presenting the ECOPHIT(TM) product family at the ISH
in hall 5, booth C 80, from March 6 to 10, 2007.
(ECOPHIT(TM) pending trademark application by SGL Group companies)
SGL CARBON AG
Corporate Communications, Media Relations
Rheingaustrasse 182, D-65203 Wiesbaden (Germany)
Phone: +49 (6 11) 60 29-100, Fax: +49 (6 11) 60 29-101
E-Mail: cpc@sglcarbon.de, Internet: www.sglcarbon.de
SGL Group - The Carbon Company
------------------------------
The SGL Group is one of the world's leading manufacturers of carbon-based
products. It has a comprehensive portfolio ranging from carbon and graphite
products to carbon fibers and composites. SGL Group's core competencies are its
expertise in high-temperature technology as well as its applications and
engineering know-how gained over many years. These competencies enable the
Company to make full use of its broad material base. SGL Group's carbon-based
materials combine several unique properties such as electrical and thermal
conductivity, heat and corrosion resistance as well as high mechanical strength
combined with low weight. Due to the paradigm shift in the use of materials as a
result of the worldwide shortage of energy and raw materials, there is a growing
demand for SGL Group's high-performance materials and products from an
increasing number of industries. Carbon and graphite products are used whenever
other materials such as steel, aluminum, copper, plastics, wood etc. fail due to
their limited properties. Products from the SGL Group are used predominantly in
the steel, aluminum, automotive, chemical and glass/ceramics industries.
However, manufacturers in the semiconductor, battery, solar/wind energy,
environmental protection, aerospace and defense industries as well as in the
nuclear energy industry also figure among the Company's customers.
With around 30 production sites in Europe, North America and Asia as well as a
service network covering more than 100 countries, the SGL Group is a company
with a global presence. In 2006, the Company's workforce of 5,250 generated
sales of (euro) 1.2 billion. The Company's head office is located in
Wiesbaden/Germany.
Contact for the specialist press:
---------------------------------
Axel Winkler / Phone: +49 8271 83 1354 / Fax: +49 8271 83 2419 /
Cellphone: +49 171 12 60 301 / e-mail: axel.winkler@sglcarbon.de
Contact Corporate Communications:
---------------------------------
Stefan Wortmann / Phone: +49 611 60 29 105 / Fax: +49 6 11 60 29 101 /
Cellphone: +49 170 540 2667 / E-mail: stefan.wortmann@sglcarbon.de /
Internet: www.sglcarbon.de
Important note:
This press release contains statements on future developments that are based on
currently available information and that involve risks and uncertainties that
could lead to actual results deviating from these forward-looking statements.
The statements on future developments are not to be understood as guarantees.
The future developments and events are dependent on a number of factors, they
include various risks and unanticipated circumstances and are based on
assumptions that may not be correct. These risks and uncertainties include, for
example, unforeseeable changes in political, economic and business conditions,
particularly in the area of electrosteel production, the competitive situation,
interest rate and currency developments, technological developments and other
risks and unanticipated circumstances. We see other risks in price developments,
unexpected developments relating to acquired and consolidated companies and in
the ongoing cost optimization programs. SGL Carbon does not intend to update
these forward-looking statements.
2
EXHIBIT 3
SGL Group: Record EBIT expected for 2007
o Sales revenue +11 % to (euro)1,191 million
o EBIT +51 % to (euro)170 million
o Net debt reduced from (euro)265 million to (euro)229 million
o Mid-term goals raised due to strategic further development
Wiesbaden, March 8, 2007. The SGL Group achieved all targeted goals for 2006,
and in some cases significantly surpassed them. EBIT before effects from EU
antitrust proceedings increased by more than 50 % to (euro)170 million due to
further cost reductions of (euro)26 million resulting from the SGL Excellence
Program as well as the economic tailwind in the key customer industries. This
was reflected in an 11 % increase in Group sales to (euro)1,191 million. The
return on sales for the Group increased from 11 % in 2005 to 14 % in the
reporting year. There was also a further improvement in the balance sheet
structure in 2006. Net debt was reduced by (euro)36 million to (euro)229
million; gearing reached the target value of 0.5. The SGL Group is also
confident of being able to increase sales revenue and earnings considerably in
2007. The mid-term goals were also raised due to the implementation of important
strategic further developments.
Profit before tax increased by more than 60 %
In 2006, the SGL Group fully provided for the antitrust fines for the last time.
In response to the decision of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) and as a
result of provisions having been established as a precaution, there were final
expenses for antitrust proceedings totaling (euro)32 million. This contains
(euro)23 million in regard to the ECJ decision from June 2006 and (euro)9
million increase in provision for the two remaining court proceedings. This
results in EBIT of (euro)138 million after antitrust proceedings in the
reporting year (compared to (euro)113 million in the previous year). As
announced, net financing costs decreased significantly by (euro)17 million to
-(euro)49 million in 2006. This positive development can essentially be
attributed to the significant reduction in financial liabilities. Following the
deduction of the ECJ interest expense of (euro)13 million which accrued in 2006,
this results in a profit before tax of (euro)76 million - (euro)29 million or 62
% more than in 2005. Without the extraordinary expenses from the EU antitrust
proceedings, profit before tax is (euro)121 million, which corresponds to an
increase of 157 % in comparison to the previous year. As expected the tax rate
rose from 41 % to 46 %. However, it should be taken into consideration here that
the EBIT effective EU antitrust expenditure constitutes a non-tax deductible
expense. Furthermore, the company has not generated any deferred tax assets on
the additional interest expenditure from the European Court of Justice decision.
On this basis, a tax rate of 29 % comparable to the previous year is calculated
for the reporting year. Net profit of about (euro)41 million was (euro)13
million higher than in 2005. Earnings per share climbed from (euro)0.50 to
(euro)0.66.
SGL CARBON AG
Corporate Communications, Media Relations
Rheingaustrasse 182, D-65203 Wiesbaden
Tel.: +49 (6 11) 60 29-100, Fax: +49 (6 11) 60 29-101
E-Mail: cpc@sglcarbon.de, Internet: www.sglcarbon.de
Gearing reaches mid-term goal of 0.5
Operating cash flow increased by (euro)24 million to (euro)112 million. Capex
expenses increased from (euro)45 million to (euro)65 million. Due to this
considerable rise in capital expenditure activities, free cash flow (before
antitrust payments) came to (euro)48 million, and thus fell below the previous
year's level ((euro)57 million). Net profit and positive cash flow were used to
improve the balance sheet structure, in particular to reduce debt. This resulted
in a reduction of net debt from (euro)265 million to (euro)229 million. Gearing
was reduced from 0.8 to the mid-term goal of 0.5. The equity ratio increased
year-on-year from 27.2 % to more than 35 %.
Significant improvement in performance of all Business Areas
Carbon and Graphite (CG): Increase in profitability from 19 % to 24 %
Driven primarily by a very good business in the steel industry, CG sales
increased by 11 % to (euro)716 million (previous year: (euro)644 million). As
announced, the strategic focus lay on achieving price increases respectively
improved margins and not on volume policy. Accordingly, deliveries at 209,000
tons of graphite electrodes were below the 2005 record level of 222,000 tons.
Price increases more than compensated for the considerable increases in
important raw materials and energy costs. The cathode business for the aluminum
industry, carbon electrodes and furnace linings also performed positively in
2006. EBIT in CG therefore increased over-proportionally by 40 % to (euro)171
million. The return on sales rose from 19 % to 24 %. In addition to the strong
growth in sales revenue, the cost reduction programs had a positive effect in
2006, with savings of (euro)14 million.
Specialties (S): 60 % surge in earnings
Driven by high demand from the solar, LED, and semiconductor industries,
Lithium-Ion batteries as well as all industrial applications, sales in the
Specialties Business Unit increased by 14 % to (euro)301 million. Thanks to the
very good demand from the chemical industry, the Process Technology area
achieved a 17 % increase in sales. On a regional level, the main business growth
area was in Asia. Additional companies were established in India and China - as
part of the company's expansion into Asia. EBIT in this Business Area increased
by 60 % from (euro)20 million to (euro)32 million. Return on sales rose
accordingly from 8 % in 2005 to 11 %. In addition to optimization of the
production system, it was mainly quantity and price effects which contributed to
this margin improvement.
SGL Technologies (SGL T): high growth in carbon fibers
The very good performance of the Technologies Business Area in 2006 was
characterized by growth in carbon fibres (for wind energy, for example) and in
carbon-ceramic brake discs for high-quality vehicles. Sales increased by 8 % to
(euro)171 million. EBIT in the SGL T Business Unit was just short of breaking
even in 2006. The reason for this is ongoing startup costs in connection with
the brake disc business, which had to cope in 2006 with development costs in
regard to five new models from Porsche and AUDI. Without taking into account the
extraordinary positive effect on earnings from the Audi development contract in
2005, there is a year-on-year EBIT improvement.
2
Corporate costs influenced by special effects
Corporate costs increased in the reporting year by (euro)3 million to (euro)32
million. The costs of the management holding and the central service divisions
assigned to it are included here. However, this increase was mainly due to the
costs of implementing and auditing the US Sarbanes-Oxley Acts (SOX), which was
to be applied in 2006 for the first time.
Corporate and organizational structure to follow growth strategy
In order to make optimum use of future growth potential, the SGL Group has
changed its corporate and organizational structures with effect from February 1,
2007. Accordingly, the previous organizational structure consisting of the
Business Areas Carbon and Graphite, Specialties and SGL Technologies was
transformed into two Business Units Performance Products und Advanced Materials
by streamlining the structures. The external and internal reporting for the
three Business Units Performance Products (PP), Graphite Materials & Systems
(GMS) and Carbon Fibers & Composites (CFC) takes place within these two
segments. The Company will report in this structure in the first quarter of 2007
for the first time. SGL has made decisive progress in recent years and is once
again synonymous with growth and earnings power thanks to a continued good
performance. The goal for the future is to be the leading carbon company. This
view is also reflected in the new Company name "SGL GROUP - The Carbon Company".
Consolidated earnings set to reach record level in 2007
In light of the very good economic environment and the positive forecasts for
all three Business Areas, SGL is confident that it will be able to increase both
sales and earnings in 2007. Assuming that exchange rates remain stable and that
no unpredictable events occur, consolidated sales should increase year-on-year
by 7 % to 10 %. A stronger improvement in operating profits compared to growth
in sales is expected. The aim is to surpass the historically record operating
earnings of (euro)192 million. In view of the moderate improvement in the net
financing costs and restructuring expenses not currently being evident, SGL is
expecting profit before and after taxes to increase at a slightly higher rate
than the operating profits. The same applies to earnings per share. This
development should impact cash flow positively. It will be used mainly to
finance our continued growth in 2007. The equity ratio is expected to increase
further in 2007.
Mid-term goals raised due to strategic further development
In particular, the newly created Business Unit Carbon Fibers & Composites (CFC)
will benefit strongly from the paradigm shift for traditional materials in the
years to come. As the only European company with integrated Carbon Fiber
capacities, SGL will exploit beneficially its strength in high temperature,
carbonization and graphitization know how. The carbon fibers and carbon
composites produced in CFC are increasingly being called upon as substitutes for
traditional materials, thanks to their unique properties such as lightness and
stiffness. The mid-term goals in this Business Unit for 2007 to 2011 are average
growth in sales revenue of over 15 % per year and a targeted return on sales of
more than 10 %.
3
Graphite Materials & Systems (GMS) are set to grow by 6 to 8 % per year and
achieve a return on sales of 10 to 15 %. For Performance Products (PP), the
company has set itself average volume growth of 2 to 3 % and a return on sales
of over 20 %.
For the entire SGL Group, the current mid-term goal for the return on sales has
been raised accordingly from 10 - 15 % to 12 - 16 %. Consolidated sales in 2011
are set to by 40 to 50 % above the 2006 level.
SGL Group - The Carbon Company
------------------------------
The SGL Group is one of the world's leading manufacturers of carbon-based
products. It has a comprehensive portfolio ranging from carbon and graphite
products to carbon fibers and composites. SGL Group's core competencies are its
expertise in high-temperature technology as well as its applications and
engineering know-how gained over many years. These competencies enable the
Company to make full use of its broad material base. SGL Group's carbon-based
materials combine several unique properties such as electrical and thermal
conductivity, heat and corrosion resistance as well as high mechanical strength
combined with low weight. Due to the paradigm shift in the use of materials as a
result of the worldwide shortage of energy and raw materials, there is a growing
demand for SGL Group's high-performance materials and products from an
increasing number of industries. Carbon and graphite products are used whenever
other materials such as steel, aluminum, copper, plastics, wood etc. fail due to
their limited properties. Products from the SGL Group are used predominantly in
the steel, aluminum, automotive, chemical and glass/ceramics industries.
However, manufacturers in the semiconductor, battery, solar/wind energy,
environmental protection, aerospace and defense industries as well as in the
nuclear energy industry also figure among the Company's customers.
With more than 35 production sites in Europe, North America and Asia as well as
a service network covering more than 100 countries, the SGL Group is a company
with a global presence. In 2006, the Company's workforce of 5,249 generated
sales of (euro) 1.2 billion. The Company's head office is located in
Wiesbaden/Germany.
From 10am onwards, you will find the up-to-date company presentation for today's
analyst meeting and conference call on the SGL Group Internet site
(www.sglcarbon.com).
Important note:
This press release contains statements on future developments that are based on
currently available information and that involve risks and uncertainties that
could lead to actual results deviating from these forward-looking statements.
The statements on future developments are not to be understood as guarantees.
The future developments and events are dependent on a number of factors, they
include various risks and unanticipated circumstances and are based on
assumptions that may not be correct. These risks and uncertainties include, for
example, unforeseeable changes in political, economic and business conditions,
particularly in the area of electrosteel production, the competitive situation,
interest rate and currency developments, technological developments and other
risks and unanticipated circumstances. We see other risks in price developments,
unexpected developments relating to acquired and consolidated companies and in
the ongoing cost optimization programs. SGL Carbon does not intend to update
these forward-looking statements.
4
Your contact person:
--------------------
Corporate Communications / Press office / Stefan Wortmann
Tel.: +49 611 60 29 105 / Fax: +49 6 11 60 29 101 / Cellphone: +49 170 540 2667
E-mail : stefan.wortmann@sglcarbon.de / Internet: www.sglcarbon.de
5
Key figures of SGL Group
(audited / (euro)m)
Fiscal year
-----------
2006 2005 Change
Sales revenue 1,190.8 1,068.8 +11 %
EBITDA (1) 223.4 177.9 +24 %
EBIT (1) 170.0 112.8 +51 %
Return on sales (2) 14.3 % 10.6 % -
Net financing costs (1) -48.7 -65.6 -26 %
Profit before tax 76.4 47.2 +62 %
Net profit (3) 40.7 28.2 +46 %
Earnings per share in (euro) 0.66 0.50 +32 %
Cash flow from operating activities (4) 111.7 87.7 +27 %
(1) Before EU antitrust expenses
(2) Ratio of EBIT to sales
(3) After minority interest
(4) Before antitrust payments, excluding currency effects
Dec. 31, Dec. 31,
2006 2005 Change
Total assets 1,260.8 1,190.5 +6 %
Shareholders' equity 445.0 322.1 +38 %
Net debt 229.1 264.7 -13 %
Gearing (5) 0.5 0.8 -
Equity ratio (6) 35.3 % 27.1 % -
Capital expenditures 65.2 44.7 +49 %
Depreciation/amortization 53.4 65.1 -18 %
Number of employees (year-end) 5,249 5,263 +-0 %
(5) Net debt divided by shareholders equity
(6) Shareholders equity divided by total assets
6