Marco Dal Lago
Analyst · Bank of America. Please go ahead
Thanks, Franco. Before I begin, I want to clarify that all comparisons refer to the third quarter of 2022, unless otherwise specified. Starting on Page 7. For the third quarter of 2023, revenue increased 11% to EUR271.4 million, and 13% on a constant-currency basis, driven by growth in both segments. While we achieved double-digit growth, this is below what we expected for the third quarter sales at the time of our Capital Markets Day. Since then, revenue tied to specific engineering contracts has shifted to the right and we expect to recognize the revenue in the fourth quarter. As a reminder, the Engineering business is project-based with revenue recognized on a cost-to-cost percent of completion basis and it can vary from quarter-to-quarter. The Engineering business is comprised of large, complex projects that have long life cycles from start to finish, typically 12 months to 24 months, depending on the nature of the project. In the third quarter, there were a couple of dynamics at play. First, we've been experiencing strong demand for manufacturing lines and this demand has outpaced our expectation from a year ago. This is certainly positive for us, but at the same time, it is increasing the pressure on operations for timely delivery. Secondly, the pandemic created volatility in supply chains and we're still working through a bottleneck work in progress that resulted from the electronic component shortages last year. This combination of strong demand and supply-chain volatility place stress on our resources, resulting in certain projects experiencing delays and lower-than-expected marginality. We believe we are on the right path to better balance resources with demand, and Franco will discuss the initiatives we are taking under our efficiency plan. The BDS segment performed in line with the assumption embedded in our guidance. We continue to gain traction with our customers with the adoption of high-value solutions. In the third quarter, high-value solution represented 32% of revenue compared with 30% for the same-period last year. In the third quarter, revenue from COVID-19 decreased 84% and accounted for approximately 2% of revenue. Excluding revenue from COVID-19, third quarter revenue increased approximately 25%. With our diversified portfolio, we've been successfully managing the roll-off and backfilling the revenue with new and expanding projects. For the third quarter, gross profit margin was impacted by the lower marginality in the Engineering segment, the ongoing startup of the new manufacturing plants, and higher depreciation. As a result, gross profit margin decreased 110 basis points to 30.5%. As we continue to execute our strategic priorities, we are also closely managing our SG&A expenses as we grow the business. In the third quarter of 2023, operating profit margin was 18.8% and adjusted operating profit margin was 20%. On the bottom line for the third quarter of 2023, net profit increased 4% to EUR37.9 million, and we delivered diluted earnings per share of EUR0.14. Adjusted net profit increased 6% to EUR40.1 million, and adjusted diluted earnings per share were EUR0.15. Adjusted EBITDA increased 13% to EUR74.7 million, and adjusted EBITDA margin was up 70 basis points to 27.5%. Let's review new order intake, which increased 4% to approximately EUR256 million in the third quarter of 2023. We ended the quarter with a backlog of committed orders of approximately EUR924 million. Moving to segment results on Page 8. For the third quarter, revenue from the Biopharmaceutical and Diagnostic Solutions segment increased 6% to EUR218.9 million, and 8% on a constant-currency basis. Excluding revenue related to COVID-19, the BDS segment grew approximately 23%. Revenue from high-value solutions increased 16% to EUR86.2 million, and revenue from other containment and delivery solutions was EUR132.8 million, consistent with the same period last year. As expected, in the third quarter of 2023, margins in the BDS segment were tempered by a rise in start-up costs and higher depreciation. This was partially offset by higher mix of high-value solutions. As a result, the segment delivered a gross profit margin of 32.7% and operating profit margin of 21.2%. Revenue in the third quarter of 2023 from the Engineering segment increased 37% to EUR52.5 million, driven by growth in all business lines. This was lower than expected due to the timing of revenue on certain engineering projects, and we expect to recognize the revenue in the fourth quarter. For the third quarter of 2023, gross profit margin was 18.5%, and operating profit margin was 11.2%. The decrease in margins was mainly driven by lower marginality on specific projects in progress and to a lesser extent, a lower mix of after-sales activity. On Page 9, at the end of the third quarter, we had net debt of EUR227.5 million, and cash and cash equivalents of EUR64.8 million. As expected, capital expenditures were EUR107.2 million in the third quarter, and we remain on track with the capacity expansion in high value solutions to meet customer demand for ready-to-use drug containment. For the third quarter of 2023, cash flow from operating activities was EUR33.5 million, which reflects our current working capital needs to support organic growth. Cash used for the purchase of property, plant, and equipment, and intangible asset was EUR132.3 million, which resulted in negative free cash flow of EUR97.8 million. Lastly, on Page 10, we are reiterating our full year 2023 guidance. We continue to expect revenue in the range of EUR1,085 million to EUR1,115 million. Adjusted EBITDA in the range of EUR291.8 million to EUR303.8 million, and adjusted diluted EPS in the range of EUR0.58 to EUR0.62. Thank you. I will hand the call to Franco.