Earnings
Group turnover for the 3rd quarter w as €36.8 million (€27.7 million last year), earnings before taxes were €3.0 million (€3.5 million last year) and EBIT was €2.8 million (€3.4 million last year). The EBIT margin for the 3rd quarter was 7.6 percent. In the first three quarters of the current fiscal year, 1 August 2007 to 30 April 2008, the HanseYachts Group had turn-over of €86.8 million (€64.6 million last year) and total revenues of €93.6 million (€71.8 million last year). Growth in turnover thus amounted to about 34 percent. At €3.5 million, Group earnings were substantially below last year's figure of €5.9 million. At €2.6 million, EBIT for the first nine months of fiscal year 2007/2008 was also below the figure for the same period last year (€5.9 million). EBIT margin is 3 percent (9,1 percent last year).
Market situation and product palette
The general economic situation has had an impact on the purchasing behaviour of our customers. We have reacted on the demand for yachts over 40 feet in length. Thanks to its flexible production system, HanseYachts has succeeded in increasing production for example for its largest model at present, the Hanse 630, by about 30 percent. The production capacity for motor yachts of the Fjord brand has also been raised.
The new deck-saloon sailing yacht, Moody 45 DSe, successfully premiered in Southampton in February and in Greifswald in April. At present, three additional Moody models are under development and are expected to be introduced for the 2008/2009 season. At Fjord additional models are also under development for the coming season. The HanseYachts Group will thus offer a significantly expanded palette of products for both brands in the coming fiscal year.
Capacities expanded
During the period reported here, significant progress was achieved in production. In May glass fibre production began operation in Goleniow/Poland. There hulls and decks are produced for final assembly of several of Hanse's sailing-yacht models as well as for Fjord's motor yachts in Greifswald. A new assembly line has been built at our main shipyard in Greifswald. It was primarily built for assembly-line production of the Hanse 630 and the new Moody models. Moreover, wood construction has been expanded in Greifswald. Both measures will create capacities for manufacturing yachts that exceed 60 feet in length. The new production facilities are scheduled to begin operation in June. During the 3rd quarter, €6,2 million was invested in these facilities.
Outlook
The outlook for all of fiscal year 2007/2008 (until 31 July) remains unchanged. An EBIT margin of around 5 percent is expected on turnover of about €135 million.