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20th
February 2008
MEDIA RELEASE
ORBITAL
DELIVERS IMPROVED INTERIM RESULTS
PERTH,
AUSTRALIA: International
clean energy technology group, Orbital Corporation Ltd (ASX: OEC
- "Orbital"), has forecast a profitable second half and
full year after posting a reduced net loss after tax of $389,000*
(2006: $429,000) for the six months to 31 December 2007. The result,
which was in line with guidance provided last month, was struck
on revenue of $7.8 million and would have been marginally above
the record $8.2 million revenue figure for the previous corresponding
half but for the stronger Australian dollar.
Orbital's CEO, Dr Rod Houston, said "Overall,
we are pleased with the 1st half outcome, which was in line with
expectations. The second half is generally stronger for Orbital
and our manufacturing joint venture, Synerject, as marine and motorcycle
customers build product for the northern hemisphere summer."
"We expect to achieve a profit in the
second half and for the 2007/08 financial year as a whole,"
he continued. "We are continuing to successfully position Orbital
as a provider of innovative solutions for a cleaner world, with
an expanded range of products scheduled to be introduced over the
coming two years and an increasingly diversified revenue and earnings
base."
Synerject
Synerject paid Orbital a first dividend of
US$840,000. Synerject delivered a $430,000 (2006: $833,000) earnings
contribution for the first half, reduced largely due to the costs
of commissioning a new manufacturing plant in China.
Synerject remains important to Orbital's medium-to-long
term growth prospects, in particular by targeting the high-growth
markets of India and China as they progressively move to Engine
Management System technologies.
"The Synerject operation is cash flow
positive, has paid its first dividend and represents a high quality
growth business for the future," said Dr Houston.
Engineering Services
The Engineering Services division delivered
a similar revenue and earnings contribution to the record 2006 half
despite the impact of the stronger Australian dollar; engineering
costs were also contained despite current salary and wage pressures
in Australia.
The Engineering Services order book is close
to $7 million at the end of January, from Orbital's increasingly
diversified customer base and broader range of technical offerings.
Dr Houston said. "The recent award of a $2 million contract
to complete the second National In-Service Emissions Study reflects
the growing profile and capabilities of this division as a leader
in clean engine technology and services".
"Our growing R&D effort is also beginning
to deliver important results as reflected in the recent launch of
the new 'FlexDI' brand, which is designed to expand the Direct Injection
technology to accommodate a range of fuel types - 'One Engine -
Any Fuel'," he added.
Royalties and Licences
Royalty and licence income for the half year
was steady at $1.03 million (2006: $1.06 million), with increased
royalty volumes partially offset by the stronger Australian Dollar.
Dr Houston said the total number of engines produced using Orbital
DI technology had now reached more than half a million, with cumulative
total CO2 savings over the lifetime of these engines of more than
1.6 million tonnes.
"We are also expecting a steady build-up
in sales volumes for the first gasoline-powered DI autorickshaw
which was launched by Bajaj in India in May last year," he
added. "Initial volumes have been maintained at low levels
by Bajaj until their dealer network and customers become familiar
with the product. We would expect a gradual build-up in volumes
this year now that Bajaj has clarified its roll-out plans."
"We are pleased with the first half outcome;
we are focussed on achieving an overall profit for the full year
and progressing our operational and strategic initiatives,"
Dr Houston concluded.
Released by:
Nicholas Read
Read Corporate
Telephone: (+61-8) 9388-1474
Mobile: 0419 929 046
www.readcorporate.com.au |
On behalf of:
Dr Rod Houston
CEO
Orbital Corporation Ltd
Telephone: (+61-8) 9441-2262
Mobile: 0413 703 011
www.orbitalcorp.com.au |
Forward Looking Statements
This release includes forward-looking statements that involve risks
and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are based upon
management's expectations and beliefs concerning future events.
Forward-looking statements are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties
and other factors, many of which are outside the control of the
Company, that could cause actual results to differ materially from
such statements. Actual results and events may differ significantly
from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result
of a number of factors including, but not limited to, those detailed
from time to time in the Company's Form 20-F filings with the US
Securities and Exchange Commission. Orbital makes no undertaking
to subsequently update or revise the forward-looking statements
made in this release to reflect events or circumstances after the
date of this release.
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