Announcements

Shanghai, China, Dettingen/Erms, Germany, April 18, 2023 +++ At this year's AUTO SHANGHAI, ElringKlinger is celebrating its 30th anniversary in China and will be showcasing various innovations from the fields of battery and fuel cell technology, lightweight construction as well as from its classic business areas relating to gasket technology at its exhibition booth (Hall 1.2, Booth 1BH008).

With its motto "#transformationpioneer", ElringKlinger underscores its early focus on alternative drive technologies as well as its good starting position for the ongoing transformation of the automotive and supplier industry. The company has built an intelligent product portfolio that is based on several pillars. "ElringKlinger is in an excellent position with regard to the megatrend of electromobility. We will be using one of the world's largest mobility platform to present our comprehensive portfolio," says Humphrey Chen, General Manager of  ElringKlinger China Ltd.

A range of zero-emission mobility products will be installed in a demonstrator vehicle, demonstrating the Group's leading position in providing solutions for current and future generations of vehicles.

ElringKlinger has made a name for itself in the field of battery technology in recent years. For example, the company supplied cell contact systems for the purely battery-electric BMW i3 vehicle. This key component takes over the current conduction as well as voltage and temperature monitoring. ElringKlinger has extensive knowledge in designing and manufacturing large plastic parts, so that we can offer cell contact systems also for cell-to-pack applications. At AUTO SHANGHAI the company will present a cell contact system for prismatic cells using a flexible printed circuit-based signal carrier.

ElringKlinger will also be presenting the ElroSafe_TM underbody shield for protecting the battery system, which is made of a thermoplastic sandwich material with glass fiber reinforcement.

The shielding system offers excellent impact behavior as well as thermal and acoustic insulation for battery systems of electric vehicles and ensures a high degree of strength and stiffness combined with low density.

In addition, components for electric drive units (EDU) are showcasted. In an EDU, seals and other components are used in various areas: Electric motor, gearbox and inverter. Different requirements necessiate different, high-end solutions. ElringKlinger offers an extensive portfolio in this segment that will be presented at AUTO SHANGHAI.

Innovative fuel cell technology from EKPO
In 2021 EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies (EKPO), the joint venture between ElringKlinger (60%) and Plastic Omnium (40%), was founded. The company now strengthens its hydrogen business in China more and more. EKPO installed a fuel cell test bench in its Suzhou test lab. A semi-automated fuel cell stack assembly line followed by the end of 2022. The first locally produced stack has already left the factory premises.

“We thus underline our ambitions on the Chinese market with product solutions for various applications. Both the test lab and the assembly line represent milestones in EKPO’s localization strategy in the Asian region, especially in China.” says Humphrey Chen, also General Manager of EKPO Fuel Cell (Suzhou) Co.,Ltd.

EKPO has further strengthened its commitment in China with the establishment of a Chinese subsidiary. Furthermore a joint investment and funding agreement was signed between EKPO and the local government.

At AUTO SHANGHAI EKPO showcases three differenct low temperature fuel cell stack modules (PEMFC) with integrated system functionalities.

The NM5-EVO fuel cell stack module consists of 335 cells and is based on metallic bipolar plates with an electric output of up to 76 kWel. This stack module ist designed for high volume automotive applications.

The NM12 Single fuel cell stack module consists of 359 cells and is based on metallic bipolar plates with an electric output of up to 123 kWel. This stack module ist designed for applications with high power requirements (>100 kW) in the automotive sector (passenger cars and light commercial vehicles).

The NM12 Twin fuel cell stack module consists of 598 cells (2 x 299 cells) and is based on metallic bipolar plates with an electric output of up to 205 kWel. This stack module is designed for applications with high power requirements (>150 kW) in the heavy duty sector.

China is a key market for ElringKlinger
This year ElringKlinger celebrates it 30th anniversary in China. In 1993 the founding of the joint venture, Changchun Elring Gaskets Co. Ltd. took place. ElringKlinger today operates four plants in China – Changchun, Suzhou, Qingdao and Chongqing – employing 1,400 employees and which account for sales of EUR 184 million in 2022.

“There is no doubt that China, the world's largest vehicle market, remains a key market for us. We are continuing to systematically pursue the strategy of strengthening our core businesses and growing in the area of alternative drive technologies, thereby precisely addressing trends and changes in mobility”, says Dr. Stefan Wolf, Global CEO of the ElringKlinger Group

ElringKlinger and EKPO @ AUTO SHANGHAI 2023 | Hall 1.2, Booth 1BH008

Press conference on April 19, 2023 | 2 PM

Dettingen/Erms (Germany), April 6, 2023 +++ The Supervisory Board and the Chairman of the Management Board (CEO) of ElringKlinger AG, Dr. Stefan Wolf, have agreed by mutual consent to terminate Dr. Wolf's contract as of June 30, 2023.

Dr. Wolf was with ElringKlinger AG for a total of 26 years, during which time he held the position of CEO for 17 years.

Klaus Eberhardt, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of ElringKlinger AG: "On behalf of the Supervisory Board, I would like to thank Dr. Stefan Wolf for his successful and long-standing track record at ElringKlinger AG. Of particular merit are his achievements in establishing and evolving the areas of fuel cell and battery technology, which he identified and promoted at an early stage and with great foresight as foundations for ElringKlinger AG in pursuit of the transformation currently taking place in the automobile and automotive supply industry. These are to be seen as key milestones for the company."

Dr. Wolf's duties will be performed on an interim basis by Mr. Thomas Jessulat, Chief Financial Officer, as from July 1, 2023. Mr. Jessulat will also temporarily assume the role of Spokesperson of the Management Board. At the same time, the Supervisory Board has begun the process of appointing a successor.

Dettingen/Erms, April 6, 2023 +++ he Supervisory Board of ElringKlinger AG (ISIN DE0007856023, WKN 785602) and Dr. Stefan Wolf have today agreed that Dr. Stefan Wolf will step down as Chairman of the Management Board (CEO) of ElringKlinger AG by mutual consent with effect from June 30, 2023. The Supervisory Board has initiated the search for a successor. Dr. Wolf's role will be performed by Thomas Jessulat (Chief Financial Officer) on an interim basis as Spokesperson of the Management Board.

The Supervisory Board of ElringKlinger AG has extended the contract of Chief Financial Officer Thomas Jessulat by a further five years. Thomas Jessulat has been a member of the Management Board since 2016.

Dettingen/Erms (Germany), March 31, 2023 +++ At its most recent meeting, held in March 2023, the Supervisory Board of ElringKlinger AG extended the contract of CFO Thomas Jessulat by a further five years until December 31, 2028. The current mandate ends on December 31, 2023.

Asked to comment, Klaus Eberhardt, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, said, "In extending the contract, we have acknowledged Thomas Jessulat's consistent performance. We look forward to continuing our successful and trusting partnership with Mr. Jessulat."

Thomas Jessulat, born in 1969, has been Chief Financial Officer of ElringKlinger AG since January 1, 2016. In addition to overseeing the finance departments Controlling, Financial Reporting, Treasury, and Financial Operations, he is responsible for the corporate units Digital Transformation, M&A and Innovations, Procurement & Supply Chain Management, and IT as well as the E-Mobility business units Battery Technology and Drivetrain Technology. Prior to his appointment to the Management Board, he had already held managerial positions within the ElringKlinger Group for over ten years.

For further information, please contact:
ElringKlinger AG   |   Strategic Communications
Dr. Jens Winter
Phone: +49 7123 724-88335   |   E-Mail: jens.winter[at]elringklinger.com

• Group revenue up by 10.7% to all-time high of EUR 1,798 million
• EBIT before exceptional items at EUR 61.0 million; operating EBIT margin slightly above guidance at 3.4%; EBIT at EUR -42.4 million
• Continuity in dividend payment: proposal of EUR 0.15 per share
• Guidance 2023: revenue growth projected to be substantially above market level and adjusted EBIT margin at around 5%
• CEO Dr. Stefan Wolf: "ElringKlinger is very well positioned to embrace the transformation as an opportunity for profitable growth."

Dettingen/Erms (Germany), March 28, 2023 +++ ElringKlinger AG has presented its definitive, audited results for the 2022 financial year as part of its 2022 annual report. In the financial year just ended, the Group managed to propel revenue by 10.7% to EUR 1,798.4 million (2021: EUR 1,624.4 million). Compared to the pre-pandemic year of 2019, ElringKlinger expanded its sales revenues by 4.1%. Generating organic revenue growth of 7.4% and performing in line with the Group's outlook, the ElringKlinger Group succeeded in outpacing the global automobile industry as a whole, which saw production output increase by 6.7% according to data published by industry service provider S&P Global Mobility.

Asked to comment, Dr. Stefan Wolf, CEO of ElringKlinger AG, said, "The financial year just ended was dominated by geopolitical conflicts, spiraling inflation, and elevated commodity and energy prices. Despite these challenging exogenous factors, ElringKlinger met, and in some instances exceeded, the annual targets it had set itself in August. Having set its strategic focus on electromobility at an early stage, ElringKlinger now holds an excellent vantage point. Building on stable cash flows and a transformed product portfolio, ElringKlinger has established a very solid base position for the future. Among other things, we have secured high-volume contracts in the field of new drive technologies, and these projects are now gradually being implemented. Against this backdrop, we can embrace the far-reaching transformation as an opportunity for profitable growth under our own steam."

Revenue growth in all regions
ElringKlinger's strongest growth during the 2022 financial year was attributable to North America, where sales revenue rose by 17.6% or EUR 69.1 million to EUR 462.8 million (2021: EUR 393.7 million). The Asia-Pacific region, meanwhile, saw ElringKlinger generate revenue of EUR 354.5 million (2021: EUR 325.4 million), despite partial lockdowns in the wake of China's zero-covid strategy, representing growth of EUR 29.1 million or 8.9%. The region encompassing the Rest of Europe, ElringKlinger's strongest revenue driver, delivered growth of EUR 37.8 million or 7.7%, taking the figure to EUR 526.6 million in the 2022 financial year (2021: EUR 488.8 million). ElringKlinger's home region, Germany, also produced forward momentum, with revenue expanding by EUR 19.2 million or 5.5% in the year under review. In total, domestic sales revenue thus amounted to EUR 365.9 million (2021: EUR 346.7 million).

Earnings influenced by exceptional factors
In terms of earnings, ElringKlinger slightly exceeded its guidance presented in August 2022, with EBIT before exceptional items of EUR 61.0 million and an operating margin of 3.4%. In this context, a major influencing factor was the cost of raw materials, energy, and transportation, which remained at a very high level in the financial year just ended. As early as the second quarter of 2022, the Group had also recognized goodwill-related impairment losses in response to the rapid rise in interest rates. These, together with impairments of intangible assets and property, plant, and equipment, exerted downward pressure on earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT). Including these exceptional items, the Group's reported EBIT stood at EUR -42.2 million in the 2022 financial year (2021: EUR 102.0 million), which corresponds to a margin of -2.3% (2021: 6.3%). This was within the target range of -2 to - 3%.

After deducting income tax expenses and having factored in the share of net income attributable to non-controlling interests, net income attributable to the shareholders of ElringKlinger AG for the year under review stood at EUR -89.1 million (2021: EUR 55.7 million). Correspondingly, earnings per share totaled EUR -1.41 (2021: EUR 0.88).

The ElringKlinger Group's financial position and cash flows remained stable and very solid in the 2022 financial year. Capital expenditure on property, plant, and equipment amounted to €69.3 million (2021: €70.0 million). ElringKlinger adapted its approach to inventory management in line with prevailing circumstances in an effort to ensure smooth production processes at all times, particularly against the backdrop of supply chain issues and the limited availability of materials in some cases. Nevertheless, the net working capital ratio remained largely unchanged year on year at 25.3% (2021: 24.8 %). At EUR 14.8 million (2021: EUR 72.0 million), ElringKlinger again generated positive operating free cash flow, which provided the basis for a slight reduction in net debt to EUR 364.2 million (Dec. 31, 2021: EUR 369.2 million) despite challenging underlying conditions. At 43.8% (Dec. 31, 2021: 47.0%), the equity ratio at the end of the 2022 financial year remained within the long-term target range of 40% to 50%.

Proposed dividend of EUR 0.15
The annual financial statements of ElringKlinger AG, which are relevant for the payment of dividends, showed a net loss of EUR 45.5 million at the end of the reporting period (2021: net income of EUR 70.11 million).

Taking into consideration the far-reaching process of transformation and the net loss for the year posted by ElringKlinger AG on the one hand as well as the investment interests of shareholders in the Group on the other, the Management Board and the Supervisory Board are looking to retain a balanced dividend policy. At the same time, both boards are committed to ensuring continuity, particularly against the background of the favorable projections made for the coming financial years.

In the 2022 financial year, therefore, reversals of revenue reserves amounting to EUR 55.0 million (2021: allocation of EUR 26.6 million) were made. Thus, the reported unappropriated surplus was identical to the previous year at EUR 9.5 million. In unison with the Supervisory Board, the Management Board therefore proposes to the Annual General Meeting that an unchanged dividend of EUR 0.15 per share (2021: EUR 0.15 per share) be paid out for the 2022 financial year.

Guidance 2023: revenue growth projected to be substantially above market level and adjusted EBIT margin at around 5%
With the outcome of the war in Ukraine impossible to predict and other potential geopolitical conflicts brewing, the general situation is still one of major uncertainty and high volatility on the world’s markets. Raw material, energy, and transportation costs are expected to remain largely unchanged overall.

Against this background of persistently challenging underlying conditions that are plagued by uncertainty, the Group is anticipating further growth in the future as well in light of the favorable projections for global automobile production and its own healthy order book. This will be driven above all by orders in the strategic fields of the future, i.e., in the area of lightweighting and in the various fields of electromobility. Therefore, the Group is anticipating a level of organic revenue growth in the 2023 financial year that will substantially outstrip the trend in global automotive production. The latter has been estimated at +3.3% for 2023 by S&P Global Mobility.

In addition, ElringKlinger expects to further improve its earnings situation in the current financial year thanks to its strict cost discipline and the anticipated increase in revenue. Overall, the Group is forecasting adjusted EBIT of around 5% of its revenue for 2023. In future, ElringKlinger will report adjusted EBIT so that it can compare the Group's operating profitability over several periods in a way that discounts the effect of exceptional items, such as impairment losses, restructuring costs, or changes in the scope of consolidation.

Medium-term forecast
ElringKlinger considers itself to be in an excellent strategic position in the medium and long term. The company was quick off the mark in its efforts to structure its product portfolio in line with the transition toward electromobility and can also build on a first-class market position in its long-standing fields of business. In the medium term, the Group anticipates disproportionately high organic growth compared to global automotive production levels and continues to expect to improve its adjusted EBIT margin gradually over this period.

The annual report for 2022 is available online at:
https://gb2022.elringklinger.de/

Key financials for FY 2022 and Q4 2022

* Proposal to Annual Meeting 2023

For further information, please contact:

ElringKlinger AG  I  Strategic Communications
Dr. Jens Winter
Phone: +49 7123 724-88335 | E-Mail: jens.winter[at]elringklinger.com

Disclaimer
This release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are based on expectations, market evaluations and forecasts by the Management Board and on information currently available to them. In particular, the forward-looking statements shall not be interpreted as a guarantee that the future events and results to which they refer will actually materialize. Whilst the Management Board is confident that the statements as well as the opinions and expectations on which they are based are realistic, the aforementioned statements rely on assumptions that may conceivably prove to be incorrect. Future results and circumstances depend on a multitude of factors, risks and imponderables that can alter the expectations and judgments that have been expressed. These factors include, for example, changes to the general economic and business situation, variations of exchange rates and interest rates, poor acceptance of new products and services, and changes to business strategy.