Mutares positions itself for future development

The Mutares Group closed the first half of 2016 with stable revenues and a reduced profitability due to one-off effects. A strong focus was put on establishing the required organization structure as a basis for further growth of the group. The new segmentation of the portfolio sharpens Mutares’ profile and the investment focus.

Due to robust organic growth group revenues in the first half of 2016 have been stable at EUR 310.6m (previous year: EUR 311.6m) despite of significantchanges in the portfolio. Particularly STS Acoutistics and GeesinkNorba contributed to this performance. Given the full transaction pipeline Mutares expects besides the recent acquisition of Sonoco Paper France, now Cenpa, several further big transactions until the end of the year. The group’s operative result (EBITDA) accounts for EUR 4.0m (previous year: EUR 12.9m) due to negative one-off effects. Mutares expects a significant catch-up effect in the second half of the year and is convinced to achieve its mid-term objectives. Further details are to be found in today’s published half-year report.

Preparation for further growth

In the first half of 2016, Mutares significantly invested in the development of the team and the infrastructure. Following an extensive planning period, Mutares moved into a new and much bigger office in Munich. Seven professionals joined the team and will complement its skill set with their expertise, experience, and network. Also in Paris Mutares moved into a new office that provides the space for further growth and for the operational management of the French portfolio. Mutares considerably increased its recruiting activities and expects to expand the team until the end of the year.

Sharpened investment focus

The current portfolio has been segmented into five industry sectors. Thus the profile and the core competencies of Mutares as operational, sustainable investor get distinctly emphasized. The visibility and the network of Mutares in the sectors will profit from the improved focus. Thereby Mutares expects better growth opportunities. The segment Automotive & Industrials is Mutares’ home turf and represents today about 40 percent of the group’s NAV. In the automotive supply industry Mutares established an excellent reputation as an expert and reliable business partner. Mutares intends to develop this sector by new platform investments and bigger add-on acquisitions.

Segment

Share in the NAV

Automotive & Industrial

40%

Construction & Infrastructure

24%

Consumer Goods & Logistics

13%

Engineering & Technology

12%

Wood & Paper

11%

 

The segment Wood & Paper shows how successful a cluster can be build. In all segments Mutares expects high market dynamics and the potential for attractive acquisitions and exits.

NAV of the Mutares Group

Portfolio companies

NAV as of June 30, 2016 (in mEUR)

EUPEC / BSL

74.1

STS Acoustics

54.8

Elastomer Solutions

41.6

A+F

35.6

GeesinkNorba

26.8

Artmadis

24.3

Zanders

15.8

Norsilk

14.1

Others (incl. net cash)

23.8

Total

310.9

 

The valuation has been done by applying a discounted cash-flow model and taking into account the forecasts of the current year and the budgets for the coming two years of each portfolio company. The annual growth rates following the detailed planning period have been set for each company specifically between 0.5 and 1.5 percent according to the relevant industry. The discount rates are the WACCs (weighted average cost of capital) of each of the portfolio companies. The WACCs are industry and country specific and lie between 4.9 and 10.0 percent.