November 4, 2013 – The Managing Board of SMA Solar Technology AG lowers the sales and earnings forecast for the fiscal year 2013. The amended forecast predicts sales of €0.9 billion to €1.0 billion for the SMA Group. In addition, the Managing Board expects a loss of €80 million to €90 million. Previously, the SMA Managing Board expected sales of €0.9 billion to €1.3 billion and in the best case scenario to break even before one-time items in 2013. The reasons for amending the forecast are the decline in the European markets, which was stronger than expected, and the resulting negative sales and earnings of the Medium Power Solutions division as well as the ongoing restructuring of Zeversolar.
"As the world market leader, SMA is particularly affected by the changed conditions on the global photovoltaic market. The market is characterized by high price pressure worldwide. Furthermore, we have a strongly declining demand in our core markets in Europe, that cannot be compensated by the new Asian and American markets. As a result, we adjusted the structures to the changed market conditions and devaluated assets. In addition, there are the start-up losses of Zeversolar. In total, SMA will close the fiscal year 2013 with a loss of €80 million to €90 million," explains SMA CEO Pierre-Pascal Urbon. "With more than €300 million Net Cash at the end of 2013 SMA continues to have a very solid balance-sheet structure and can finance its further development from its own resources."
"With our existing strategy and the measures already introduced, we have taken the necessary steps to be able to return to profitability and sales growth in 2014. Especially the cost reduction and personnel adjustment measures already started will be fully effective for the first time in 2014. With launching the Sunny Tripower in the U.S. and Japan, we will also profit from the strong growth expected in these regions. In addition, we will launch first products from our completely newly developed product platforms. SMA offers highly innovative solutions exactly tailored to the requirements of our future energy supply, which allow us to set ourselves apart from competitors particularly in this attractive growth segment," says Urbon.
In 2014, the SMA Managing Board therefore expects the group's sales to increase to between €1.0 and €1.3 billion and to reach its profitability again.
