Solid Sales Revenue Growth drives 2018 Profitability for Hamburg-based HELM AG
International chemical marekting company HELM AG (Hamburg, German) reported recently on the performance for 2018. Global Revenues (a figure that includes agency sales on behalf of third parties) grew 11% to EUR 8’297 mn. External Revenues (i.e. sales on the company’s own account) increased by 24% to EUR 5’106 mn. Based on an EBITDA of EUR 112.3 mn (+140% versus the prior year) and Earnings before Taxes of EUR 95.5 % (+285% versus the prior year), Net Profit amounted to EUR 66.1 mn, ca. 3.6 times the figure for 2017 (EUR 18.4 mn). The Chemicals, Fertiliser and Pharma Business Lines were the main drivers behind the improved earnings situation, Helm said.
Europe continues to be HELM’s main geography, with 56.3% of group sales, followed by America with 27.0% amd Asia with 16.2%.
The largest Business Line for Helm is Chemicals, Feedstock, Derivatives and Methanol with Revenues of ca. EUR 3’700 (equivalent to approx. 42% growth). Since June last year, Methanol is marketed by HELM Proman Methanol AG (Wollerau, Switzerland). The joint venture also has sales offices in Houston, TX – United States and Singapore, Singapore. To underpin the growth, a new facility for Acids and Lyes was opened in Burgos, Spain.
The business for Fertilisers continued to be volatile and resulted in Revenues of EUR 760 mn, down from EUR 922 mn in 2017.
Crop Protection managed to increase Revenues by 10.7% to EUR 290 mn, despite adverse market conditions.
Pharma increased Revenues to EUR 202 mn from EUR 192 in 2017. During 2018, HELM acquired a share in the development company Phargentis SA (Lugano, Switzerland), which specialises in inhalation products for the treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
At the end of 2018 HELM employed a staff of 1’621 (up from 1’521 at the end of 2017). This includes participations. 40% of these employees, 664 (2017: 627), were located in Hamburg.
HELM continues to be family owned. Based on a healthy Equity Ratio of 42% at EUR 779 mn (2017:727 mn), the group is planning investments for all four business lines during 2019 and beyond.
Source: Helm press release
HGE / DCG – 07.06.2019
