Full year
·Successful sale of part of the HealthCare IT activities - pension funding and de-risking actions well on track
·Imaging IT business doubled its adjusted EBITDA
·Strong performance of other growth engines, including Direct Radiography, inkjet consumables and specialty chemicals
Strong COVID-19 impact on offset, printing equipment and various film-related activities - gradual recovery for most activities in second half of the year
Cost reduction program delivered significant benefit to mitigate top line decline
Disciplined working capital management with close to 100 million Euro reduction
Fourth quarter
·Strong profitability improvement for Digital Print & Chemicals and return to positive adjusted EBITDA for Offset Solutions
·Continued double-digit top line growth for Direct Radiography
·Increased price and volume pressure for medical film due to new centralized procurement practices in China
·Structural reduction of working capital as a percentage of sales
Recent developments
50 million Euro share buy-back program decided by Board of Directors
New revolving credit facility of 230 million Euro
Agfa-Gevaert today commented on its results in 2020.
“In a year marked by the pandemic, we reached several key milestones in the transformation of our company, starting with the successful sale of part of the HealthCare IT activities which enabled a strong improvement of our balance sheet. We made good progress with the revision of the Group operating model leading to significant cost improvements and improved working capital management, to be pursued further in the next years. Our measures to restore the profitability of Offset Solutions showed their first results in the fourth quarter. Business-wise, the Imaging IT business more than doubled its adjusted EBITDA, our Digital Print & Chemicals division recovered throughout the year and our Direct Radiography business delivered double digit growth. I am very confident that we are taking the right steps to allow these growth engines to reach their full potential in the years to come. Last but not least, I would like to thank our people, who are in the frontline of the pandemic, serving our customers in the healthcare sector and other markets. They are the true stars of the past year,” said Pascal Juéry, President and CEO of the Agfa-Gevaert Group.
Use of the proceeds of the sale of part of the HealthCare IT activities
As mentioned previously, Agfa plans to spend about 350 million Euro of the proceeds of the sale of part of HealthCare IT (at an enterprise value of 975 million Euro) to increase the funding ratio of the funded pension plans in Belgium, the UK and the USA, as well as to implement pension de-risking actions. Agfa is well on track with this plan. The total amount contributed in 2020 was around 218 million Euro. During the first half of 2021, the remaining 130 million Euro will be invested.
Today, March 10, the Agfa-Gevaert Group announced a share buyback program with a volume of up to 50 million Euro. The program allows shareholders to benefit from the sale of part of the HealthCare IT activities and shows the Group’s confidence in its ongoing transformation process.
Revolving credit facility
Agfa-Gevaert NV has closed a new three year multi-currency revolving credit facility of 230 million Euro. This new revolving credit facility will be used for general corporate purposes.
Statement on re-presented profit and loss numbers
As from 2019, the Agfa-Gevaert Group has adopted the IFRS 16 accounting rules. The tables below present the profit and loss numbers including the impact of IFRS 16.
In August 2019, the Group terminated its inkjet media reseller activities in the USA. To allow correct comparison, the Q4 2019 and year-to-date numbers have been re-presented. In May 2020, the Group closed the sale of part of its HealthCare IT activities. The Q4 and year-to-date numbers of 2019 and 2020 have been re-presented.
Excluding the effects of the sale of part of the HealthCare IT activities in May and currency effects, the Agfa-Gevaert Group’s revenue decreased by 12.7%. The Imaging IT activities and Direct Radiography activities within the Radiology Solutions division performed well, despite the effects of COVID-19 on the business environment. The issues in the offset printing industry, as well as the COVID-19 impact on the medical film business and the Digital Print & Chemicals division significantly impacted the Group's top line. In the second half of the year, most businesses started to recover.
The Group’s gross profit margin amounted to 28.9% of revenue, versus 29.9% in 2019. The HealthCare IT division posted a strong gross profit margin increase, based on its strategy to target high-value revenue streams. The Digital Print & Chemicals division showed resilience in terms of profitability, in spite of the COVID-19 related revenue decrease. The Offset Solutions division’s profitability was heavily impacted by COVID-19, but the measures taken for this division started to show results towards the end of the year. Related to the COVID-19 situation and efforts to reduce inventories, margins were also impacted by increased idle time at the Group’s production facilities.
Selling and General Administration expenses were reduced by almost 60 million Euro (14.2%) versus the previous year based on the ongoing broad cost reduction program, as well as temporary measures.
R&D expenses amounted to 94 million Euro, versus 103 million Euro in 2019.
Adjusted EBITDA decreased from 153 million Euro (7.8% of revenue) in 2019 to 99 million Euro (5.8% of revenue), which is in line with the guidance given last November. Adjusted EBIT fell to 36 million Euro, from 77 million Euro in 2019.
Largely related to the adaptation of the manufacturing capacity for printing plates and CR equipment, restructuring and non-recurring items resulted in an expense of 88 million Euro, versus an expense of 111 million Euro in 2019.
The net finance costs amounted to 31 million Euro.
Income tax expenses amounted to 15 million Euro, versus 14 million Euro in 2019.
Including the proceeds of the sale of part of the HealthCare IT activities, the Agfa-Gevaert Group posted a net profit of 621 million Euro.
Financial position and cash flow
Due to the proceeds of the sale of part of the HealthCare IT activities, net financial debt evolved from 219 million Euro at the end of 2019 to a net cash position of 502 million Euro.
Trade working capital decreased significantly from 561 million Euro (28% of sales) at the end of 2019 to 462 million Euro (27% of sales) at the end of 2020.
Thanks to a reduction in working capital of about 100 million Euro, the Group generated a positive free cash flow before extra funding of the pensions of 15 million Euro.
Outlook
Due to the continuing impact of COVID-19 and inflationary pressure, the Agfa-Gevaert Group still expects a subdued first half of the year, followed by a substantial recovery in the second semester.
In the second half of the year, the Group expects substantial progress in all divisions, except in the Radiology Solutions division, where the margin and volume impact in the film activity will not be compensated by the growth in Direct Radiography.
In the medium term, most activities of the Group will fully recover from the disruption caused by COVID-19 and some will even benefit from post-COVID opportunities and market developments. However, offset printing demand is not expected to fully recover going forward.
HealthCare IT – 2020
Part of the division’s activities were sold early May 2020. The state-of-the-art Imaging IT solutions business was not included in the sale and continues to be a key business for the Agfa-Gevaert Group.
Robust project revenues in North America, and especially the delivery of Enterprise Imaging solutions to the AdventHealth group in Florida in the second quarter, positively influenced the results of the business.
Agfa’s Imaging IT solutions are a comprehensive answer to the mission-critical needs of care providers to manage all medical images. In spite of the uncertainties due to the COVID-19 situation, the outlook for value creation in the Imaging IT solutions business remains very positive.
In the short term, Agfa’s strategy to target customer segments and geographies for which its Enterprise Imaging solution is best fit and to prioritize higher value revenue streams still has a negative influence on total revenues, as less desirable revenue streams are being abandoned or wound down. In line with expectations, the division posted a 4.6% revenue decrease in 2020.
Furthermore, the strategy translates into a continuous improvement of gross profit margins. Mainly driven by improved service efficiencies related to the further maturing of the service organization and product offering, the gross profit margin reached 43.9% of revenue, versus 39.7% in the previous year. Adjusted EBITDA more than doubled to 23.7 million Euro (10.3% of revenue). In addition to the elements mentioned above, this was also due to an increased level of remote sales and service activities and to temporary, COVID-19-related cost savings. Adjusted EBIT improved strongly to 14.3 million Euro (6.2% of revenue), from 0.7 million Euro (0.3% of revenue) in 2019.
In the course of the year, the division recorded a ramp up of the order intake and the total order backlog remains at a healthy level, covering more than a full year of total revenues.
Ultimately, the division’s strategy will also allow it to reach the targeted growth of EBITDA: starting from a mid-single-digit percentage in 2019 to high teen percentages over the next years.
Radiology Solutions – 2020
Agfa’s Direct Radiography business grew by double digits, driven by its innovative mobile DR solutions and by comprehensive contracts with large care organizations all over the world. Mobile devices can be used to perform high-quality bed-side X-ray examinations, even in intensive care units. For these solutions, Agfa gained market share as it reacted adequately to the market disruption caused by COVID-19. Furthermore, it is improving the profitability of its DR product range, partly because it increased its efficiency in providing services remotely.
Agfa managed the Computed Radiography range well to keep the profit margins intact. Service revenues for this business area were kept at a decent level. Partly market driven and partly due to effects related to COVID-19, the CR top line declined. Private practices in India, Latin-America and other geographies are postponing their investments in CR equipment. In order to improve its competitiveness, Agfa is adjusting its CR equipment production capacity to the declining market trend.
The medical film product range’s top line was impacted by COVID-19, as hospital visits not related to COVID-19 are being postponed, resulting in a lower demand for medical film in India, Latin-America and other geographies. Furthermore, the business started to face increased price and volume pressure in the fourth quarter due to new centralized procurement practices in China.
The division’s gross profit margin decreased from 37.5% of revenue in 2019 to 35.3%, as improved service efficiencies in DR were not able to compensate for the volume decrease in medical film and CR. The division’s adjusted EBITDA margin amounted to 15.6% of revenue, versus 18.1% in 2019. In absolute figures, adjusted EBITDA reached 75.8 million Euro (97.1 million Euro in 2019). Adjusted EBIT amounted to 51.9 million Euro (10.7% of revenue), versus 72.4 million Euro (13.5% of revenue) in the previous year.
Agfa continues to do all within its power to make sure that customers can continue to count on the knowhow of the service teams. The division is helping hospitals all over the world to fight COVID with successful and fast installations of CR and DR equipment. Examples on how Agfa and its employees support care providers in their battle against COVID-19 can be found in the dedicated #CountOnUs section of the division’s website.
Digital Print & Chemicals – 2020
In spite of the COVID-19 related top line decline, the gross profit margin of the Digital Print & Chemicals division remained almost stable at 28.0% of revenue. The fade-out of the effects of the strategic alliance for UV digital packaging inks with Siegwerk Druckfarben had a 5.8 million Euro impact on the division’s results. The adjusted EBITDA margin evolved from 9.5% of revenue (33.8 million Euro in absolute figures) in 2019 to 6.5% (18.8 million Euro in absolute figures). Adjusted EBIT amounted to 8.6 million Euro (3.0% of revenue), versus 22.4 million Euro (6.3% of revenue).
In the field of digital print, the ink product ranges for sign & display applications continued to perform well. On the other hand, the large-format printing equipment business faced a strong COVID-19 impact throughout the year. Many companies are postponing investments in new printing machines. However, in this difficult environment, Agfa maintained its market share. Furthermore, Agfa continues to invest in its innovative product portfolio in order to be ready for the post-COVID market rebound. In the course of 2020, Agfa has added several new members to its family of large-format printing machines.
The sales of inks for industrial applications grew sequentially. Agfa recently commercially launched solutions for new digital printing applications, such as laminate floorings and leather. Solutions for other new applications (e.g. in the field of packaging) are being developed. In the fourth quarter, Agfa introduced the InterioJet water-based inkjet printing system for printing on decor paper used for interior decoration, such as laminate floors and furniture.
Volumes of the division’s range of films and foils decreased versus the previous year, as these products are mostly used in industries that have been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, including aeronautics, the oil and gas industry and the printing industry.
The specialty chemicals range of the division is well-positioned for future growth with products and solutions that target specific promising markets. For instance, Agfa has developed Orgacon conductive materials, used in hybrid and electric car technology. Furthermore, the company is in a good position to benefit from the rise of the hydrogen economy with its range of Zirfon membranes for advanced alkaline electrolysis, which is setting a new efficiency standard in the production of green hydrogen. In 2020, Agfa joined the European Clean Hydrogen Alliance, which brings together all stakeholders in the hydrogen value chain.
Offset Solutions – 2020
Excluding currency effects, revenue decreased by 15.5% to 704 million Euro due to COVID-19 related effects - including adverse price/mix effects - and the structural decline of the offset markets. The pandemic caused a decrease in advertising and commercial activities, leading to lower print volumes and a lower demand for printing plates. The division’s top line started to recover in the second half of the year.
The Offset Solutions division’s gross profit margin decreased from 22.9% of revenue in 2019 to 20.0%. Adjusted EBITDA amounted to minus 2.6 million Euro (minus 0.4% of revenue) versus 27.9 million Euro (3.3% of revenue) in 2019. Adjusted EBIT amounted to minus 21.9 million Euro (minus 3.1% of revenue), compared to minus 1.1 million Euro (minus 0.1% of revenue) in 2019.
To improve profitability and to address the significant decline in market demand, Agfa is reviewing its offset business model, simplifying its organization and streamlining its product offering. The company also estimates that the current pricing levels in the industry are not sustainable. It is looking into ways to adapt the earning model for certain services it provides to its customers.
Agfa is also reorganizing its printing plate manufacturing capacity. The operations in the printing plate factories in Pont-à-Marcq (France) and Leeds (UK) were terminated in the course of the fourth quarter. The effects of these steps started to become visible in the division’s fourth quarter results.
January 2021, Agfa expressed the intention to organize the Offset Solutions activities into a stand-alone legal entity structure and organization within the Agfa-Gevaert Group.
Fourth quarter results
Agfa-Gevaert Group – fourth quarter
Excluding the effects of the sale of part of the HealthCare IT activities in May and currency effects, the Agfa-Gevaert Group’s revenue decreased by 9.5%. As in the previous quarters, the COVID-19 pandemic continued to strongly impact the Group’s businesses.
The Group’s gross profit margin amounted to 27.3% of revenue, versus 29.5% in the fourth quarter of 2019.
Selling and General Administration expenses were about 12 million Euro (11.6%) lower than in the fourth quarter of 2019 due to the ongoing broad cost containment program.
R&D expenses amounted to 23 million Euro.
Adjusted EBITDA decreased from 44 million Euro (8.3% of revenue) in the fourth quarter of 2019 to 28 million Euro (5.9% of revenue). Adjusted EBIT was 13 million Euro (2.7% of revenue), versus 25 million Euro (4.8% of revenue) in the fourth quarter of 2019.
Restructuring and non-recurring items resulted in an expense of 30 million Euro, versus an expense of 84 million Euro in the fourth quarter of 2019, when an impairment loss of 66.7 million Euro was booked to reflect the evolution of the offset industry.
The net finance costs amounted to 5 million Euro.
Income tax expenses amounted to 0 million Euro, versus 1 million Euro in the fourth quarter of 2019.
As a result of the elements above, the Agfa-Gevaert Group posted a net result of minus 24 million Euro in the fourth quarter of 2020.
HealthCare IT – fourth quarter
Despite the division’s strategy to prioritize higher value revenue streams, as well as the temporary delay of certain high-level Imaging IT projects, the division’s top line increased by 1.8% excluding currency effects.
The gross profit margin reached 36.4% of revenue, versus 39.2% in the fourth quarter of 2019. Reflecting the lower amount of project revenues in the fourth quarter and additional investments in service efficiency, adjusted EBITDA decreased to 2.5 million Euro (4.2% of revenue). Adjusted EBIT amounted to 0.3 million Euro (0.5% of revenue), versus 0.7 million Euro (1.1% of revenue) in the fourth quarter of 2019.
Given the fact that a significant portion of revenues and margins are realized when projects reach key milestones, studying trends is more meaningful than merely evaluating the performance on the basis of an individual quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Agfa realized several go-lives of its comprehensive Enterprise Imaging solution in Europe. For instance, the solution went live at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, one of the biggest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom.
Also in the fourth quarter, Agfa revealed RUBEE™ for AI, the intelligence behind Enterprise Imaging. The solution enables hospitals to embed best in class AI to their Enterprise Imaging ecosystem.
Radiology Solutions – fourth quarter
The medical film product range and the Computed Radiography range continued to suffer from COVID-19 effects. Furthermore, the medical film business started to face increased price and volume pressure towards the end of the year due to new centralized procurement practices in China. As a result, the division’s top line decreased by 9.1% excluding currency effects. The top line of the Direct Radiography range, however, continued its double digit growth.
The gross profit margin decreased from 39.8% of revenue in the fourth quarter of 2019 to 31.9%, as improved service efficiencies in DR and CR were not able to fully compensate for the medical film volume declines. Adjusted EBITDA amounted to 19.2 million Euro (14.1% of revenue), versus 33.7 million Euro (22.1% of revenue) in the fourth quarter of 2019. Adjusted EBIT amounted to 13.6 million Euro (10.0% of revenue), versus 27.5 million Euro (18.0% of revenue) in the previous year.
In the fourth quarter, Agfa launched SmartXR, a solution designed to help radiographers capture quality images, while reducing their workload in the process and preventing common mistakes that lead to retakes.
Digital Print & Chemicals – fourth quarter
Excluding currency effects, the top line of the Digital Print & Chemicals division decreased by 10.7% compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. Although the trends of the previous quarters continued in the fourth quarter, a marked recovery versus the first half of the year was recorded for several of the division’s activities, including Electronic Print (Orgacon materials, materials for Printed Circuit Boards). Sales of large-format inkjet printing equipment continued to be strongly impacted by the COVID-19 situation.
In spite of the COVID-19 related top line decline, the gross profit margin of the Digital Print & Chemicals division improved from 25.5% of revenue to 29.1%.
The division’s adjusted EBITDA margin improved from 6.1% of revenue (5.5 million Euro in absolute figures) in the fourth quarter of 2019 to 9.4% (7.4 million Euro in absolute figures). Adjusted EBIT amounted to 5.0 million Euro (6.3% of revenue), versus 2.7 million Euro (3.0% of revenue).
In the fourth quarter, Agfa’s technology leadership in the field of wide-format printing equipment was confirmed with several awards issued by industry associations. Agfa’s Oberon RTR3300 inkjet printer has received a 2020 EDP (European Digital Press Association) Award, as well as a Product of the Year award from PRINTING United Alliance. The Jeti Tauro H3300 LED also won a Product of the Year Award.
Furthermore, Agfa showed its dedication to the sign & display printing industry by adding a new model to its Jeti Tauro large-format inkjet printer family. The Jeti Tauro H3300 S LED offers an attractive growth path for sign & display printing companies.
Also in the fourth quarter, Clariant and Agfa announced an agreement under which Agfa assumes ownership of Clariant’s Electronic Materials portfolio. With the transfer, Agfa expands its Orgacon® portfolio of functional materials for Printed Electronics applications.
Offset Solutions – fourth quarter
Due to COVID-19 related effects - including adverse price/mix effects - and the structural decline of the offset markets, revenue decreased by 12.2% (excluding currency effects) to 193 million Euro.
The gross profit margin decreased from 21.5% of revenue in the fourth quarter of 2019 to 20.6%. Reflecting the first effects of recent manufacturing footprint adjustments and improved sales & general administration cost efficiencies, profitability improved versus the previous quarters of the year. Adjusted EBITDA amounted to 3.4 million Euro (1.8% of revenue) versus 6.4 million Euro (2.9% of revenue) in the fourth quarter of 2019. Adjusted EBIT amounted to minus 1.1 million Euro (minus 0.5% of revenue), compared to minus 0.6 million Euro (minus 0.2% of revenue) in the fourth quarter of 2019.
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