Lonza Group Ltd announced its financial results for the year ended on 31 December 2008.
Highlights:
Performance growth driven by Exclusive Synthesis and Life Science Ingredients and by cost and efficiency improvements overall:
-EBIT up 12% on a comparable basis to a record CHF 441 million
-EBIT margins up by 0.8% percentage points to 15.0% of sales
-Net income up 39.2% to CHF 419 million
-Balance sheet structure with investment grade profile due to conservative financing strategy:
-Gearing stable at 76%
-80% of debt long-term financed at fixed rates – with staggered repayment timelines
-Cash position of CHF 566 mn solely invested in fixed income money markets
-Flexibility maintained allowing for mid-sized acquisition opportunities
-Net working capital down to 19.9% of sales from 21.5% in 2007
-Number of employees rose by 9.7% since January 2008 to 8,462