Rieter focuses on expansion of parts business

Rieter´s focus on innovation, expansion of parts business and increase of profitability is its new priority.

Following on the 2012-13 investment programme and the resulting enhancement of its global presence, Rieter is setting new priorities in the implementation of its strategy. The strategic objective of being the world´s leading supplier of short staple spinning systems offering the full range of machines, components and parts remains unchanged. Rieter will continue in future to differentiate itself through its systems expertise, value creating innovative solutions, aftersales excellence and the worldwide availability of its product and service offering. The priorities for the next three years will be the further reinforcement of its innovative capabilities and the expansion of its product and service offering, especially in parts and components. Additional resources for research and development are being budgeted for this purpose. Rieter will also take action to optimise the utilisation of existing capacity, improve product margins and reduce structural costs.

Rieter will thus be in the position to continue deriving above-average benefit from the market trend in demand towards products featuring higher levels of automation, productivity and energy-efficiency. Rieter intends to grow faster than the market.

Adjusted medium-term financial targets
At the same time, Rieter will create shareholder value with its medium-term profitability target of an EBIT margin of about 10 per cent of sales and a return on net assets of about 14 per cent. With ongoing annual growth in fibre consumption of 2-3 per cent, the present currency environment, current raw material prices and its existing product and service portfolio, Rieter believes it can achieve its profitability target in the medium term with sales of some 1.3 billion CHF. Rieter intends to distribute some 30 per cent of net profits as dividends.

Market environment and outlook
Spinning mills´ narrowing margins due to declining raw material and yarn prices in the third quarter have resulted in a slowdown in market momentum, especially in Turkey, the Asian countries (without China and India) and Latin America. The slightly positive momentum in India was maintained in the third quarter, while the restraint in China continued. The lower overall utilisation of spinning mill capacity has also resulted in reduced demand for spare and wear and tear parts. In this more challenging market environment Rieter recorded accumulated order intake of slightly over 900 million CHF up to the end of the third quarter. Rieter expects for the second half of 2014 a market demand on lower levels than in the strong first semester. Demand depends among other factors on the development of yarn and raw materials prices, currency exchange rates, financing costs, and global consumer sentiment.

Based on the current order backlog-of which a substantial share already reaches into 2015ùfull year sales for 2014 are expected to show at least high single digit growth compared to 2013. Operational profitability (EBIT) in 2014 will be positively impacted by volume growth, whereas additional costs of 10 million CHF for conclusions of the IT-assisted processes project, low airjet capacity utilization and lower order backlog margins than in the second semester 2013 are expected to have an adverse impact also in the second semester 2014. All in all, Rieter expects for the year 2014 a higher operating result (EBIT) than in 2013.

Market outlook
Meanwhile, spinning mills´ narrowing margins due to declining raw material and yarn prices in the third quarter have resulted in a slowdown in market momentum, especially in Turkey, the Asian countries (without China and India) and Latin America. The slightly positive momentum in India was maintained in