LPKF makes a solid start to the 2024 financial year

EQS-News: LPKF Laser & Electronics SE / Key word(s): Quarterly / Interim
Statement
LPKF makes a solid start to the 2024 financial year

25.04.2024 / 08:00 CET/CEST
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

* Sales and earnings in line with forecast, sales up 26% year-on-year

* LPKF benefits from transformation in the semiconductor market

* Measures to increase profitability underway

Garbsen, 25 April 2024 - LPKF Laser & Electronics SE achieved its guidance
for the first quarter with revenue of EUR 25.4 million and an adjusted EBIT
(earnings before interest and taxes) of EUR -4.3 million. According to the
guidance, revenue in the first quarter should be between EUR 23 and 26
million and adjusted EBIT between EUR -6 and -3 million. Compared to the
previous year's quarter, revenue has increased by 26% (Q1 23: EUR 20.2
million). At EUR -4.4 million, EBIT was also up 34% on the previous year's
figure (Q1 23: EUR -6.6 million).

At EUR 33.2 million, incoming orders after three months were down on the
previous year (Q1 23: EUR 39.6 million) and below the Management's
expectations. Despite solid demand for the company's solutions, delays in
customer projects meant that some orders could not be booked in the first
quarter as planned. The order backlog fell from EUR 82.6 million in the
previous year's period to EUR 67.3 million. The pipeline of opportunities
remains strong and the Management Board is focused on converting these into
orders and revenue within this financial year.

During the quarter, LPKF continued to make important progress in various
areas. In March, a leading Korean semiconductor manufacturer opted for LIDE
(Laser Induced Deep Etching) technology from LPKF and purchased its first
system. The company has been working with key global players for several
years now to make glass usable for the semiconductor and display industry
and expects to make further visible progress in this area over the course of
2024.

As disclosed last month, the company received a major order from the
photovoltaic industry with a volume of more than EUR 15 million. As part of
this major order, LPKF will supply laser systems for structuring solar
modules to equip the new production facilities of a long-standing customer
in the first half of 2025. The Management Board believes that the rising
global demand for production capacities for thin-film solar modules will
continue to have a positive impact on the Solar segment's performance.
The CellShepherd® has been commercially available in the ARRALYZE division
since February. With this innovative biotech tool, LPKF aims to
revolutionize single cell-based analysis in biomedicine and various life
science areas such as personalized medicine. Market interest is high and
further progress has already been made with prospective customers.

CEO Klaus Fiedler is convinced that LPKF has outstanding products in all
business segments. The primary goal is to market these products faster and
more efficiently in order to drive growth. Fiedler emphasizes: 'We are aware
that we must continuously optimize our cost structures in order to deliver
profitable growth. The first operational steps to increase efficiency have
already been taken and more willfollow.' In addition, the Management Board
will work closely with an external consultant to identify structural
improvement opportunities, which will start to be effective with regard to
profitability and working capital in the second half of this year.

In the current second quarter, the Management Board expects consolidated
sales of EUR 28 - 33 million and adjusted EBIT* of between EUR -3 and 2
million.

For the 2024 financial year, as previously communicated LPKF expects
consolidated revenue of EUR 130 - 140 million and an adjusted EBIT margin*
of between 4% and 8%.

In the medium term, as already communicated, LPKF aims to achieve an
attractive single-digit growth rate for its core business. In addition to
the core business, the new business initiatives in the semiconductor,
display and biotechnology markets are expected to contribute a total sales
in the low three-digit million euro range in the medium term. Based on the
growth in sales and the resulting economies of scale, the Management Board
aims to achieve an attractive double-digit EBIT margin for the LPKF Group in
the coming years.

The quarterly report is available in German and English at
https://www.lpkf.com/en/investor-relations/publications/financial-reports
*Adjusted EBIT is EBIT adjusted for restructuring and severance costs and
changes in the long-term incentive (LTI) due to fluctuations in the
performance factor or the share price. LPKF expects these costs to amount to
0.5 - 1.5% of revenue in the 2024 financial year. Adjusted EBIT is reported
in order to be able to compare operating profitability between periods by
eliminating special items.
About LPKF
LPKF Laser & Electronics SE is a leading provider of laser-based solutions
for the technology industry. LPKF laser systems are of crucial importance to
the production of printed circuit boards, microchips, automotive parts,
solar modules and a large number of other components. Founded in 1976, the
company is headquartered in Garbsen near Hanover and operates worldwide via
subsidiaries and representative offices. The shares of LPKF Laser &
Electronics SE are traded in the Prime Standard segment of Deutsche Börse
(ISIN 0006450000).



Contact:
Bettina Schäfer, Senior Manager Investor Relations & Corporate Communication
Investorrelations@lpkf.com


---------------------------------------------------------------------------

25.04.2024 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS
News - a service of EQS Group AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements,
Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.
Archive at www.eqs-news.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Language:       English
   Company:        LPKF Laser & Electronics SE
                   Osteriede 7
                   30827 Garbsen
                   Germany
   Phone:          +49 (0) 5131 7095-0
   Fax:            +49 (0) 5131 7095-95
   E-mail:         investorrelations@lpkf.com
   Internet:       www.lpkf.com
   ISIN:           DE0006450000
   WKN:            645000
   Listed:         Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard);
                   Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf,
                   Hamburg, Munich, Stuttgart, Tradegate Exchange
   EQS News ID:    1888395

End of News EQS News Service
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

1888395 25.04.2024 CET/CEST