Gurit had a good start in 2014 with Q1 2014 sales increasing by 29.6% over Q1 2013, and sequentially by 4.5% over the last quarter of 2013 to CHF 78.8 million. This increase confirms Gurit’s recovery started during the second half of 2013. 

 

Gurit Composite Materials increased sales by 15.7% to CHF 61.2 million compared with Q1 2013 or by 4.6% compared with Q4 2013 figures, supported by stable sales to the Wind Energy market and again growing sales to other industrial markets. 

 

Gurit Composite Systems and Engineering more than doubled sales over Q1 2013 by 123% to CHF 17.6 million, and grew by 4.1% over Q4 2013, mainly as the result of ongoing strong sales in Tooling.

 

Gurit Composite Materials: Q1 2014 confirms the ongoing sales recovery which started in the second half of 2013. Sales to the American Wind Energy market continued at a good level thanks to the lasting effect of the US production tax credit subsidies. In addition, Gurit has won several significant projects with European boat builders, reflecting the Group’s competitive edge in the again growing Marine market.

 

Gurit Composite Systems and Engineering: The Tooling business successfully maintained the high sales level achieved in Q4 2013, benefitting from strong shipments to South America and Europe as well as to the domestic Chinese market. 

 

The Automotive business grew 45% compared with Q1 2013, and thus kept up the pace of the last quarter of 2013. The automated press technology project start up is developing as planned. Finally, sales of Engineered Structures continued to grow double digit, driven by the successful bus component business. 

 

The Annual General Meeting held at Pfäffikon/SZ approved all motions formulated by the Board of Directors: Gurit will thus pay out CHF 7.50 per listed bearer share out of reserves from capital contributions; this payment is exempt from withholding tax. Gurit bearer shares will be traded ex-dividend as from Monday April 14, 2014 (ex-dividend date). 

 

The positions entitled to dividend payments will be recorded on Wednesday April 16, 2014 (record date) and the payments will be made on Thursday April 17, 2014 (payment date). The Annual General Meeting elected Dr Stefan Breitenstein as a new member of the Board of Directors. All proposed amendments to the Articles of Association and all proposals regarding the remuneration of the Board of Directors and Group Management were also approved.