Aumann (Xetra:AAG) Q4 2025 Earnings Call

0:01 Welcome to the earnings call of Aumann Agui regarding the full year figures for 2025. The company's CEO Sebastian Rolle and CFO Jan Henrik Poulit will guide you through the presentation and the figures shortly followed by a Q and A session via audio line and chat box. Having said this, I'm handing over to you Sebastian. Yeah. Good afternoon, everyone, and thank you for the kind introduction. I'm pleased to have you with us today. And for those I haven't met yet, my name is Sebastian Roel, and I'm the CEO of Aumann. Joining So me in the call today is our CFO, Jan Henrik Pollet. We really appreciate your time and your interest in Aumann.

0:49 In the next few minutes, we will guide you through a brief overview of Aumann, the latest developments in our e mobility and next automation business, and, of course, our financial performance in 2025, where we deliver strong results in a challenging market environment. So let's start with a quick look at our business model. So we design and build high end fully automated production lines tailored precisely to the needs of our international customers. With decades of experience in automation, industry leaders around the world trust Aumann to deliver innovative solutions. One of our competitive advantages is staying ahead, especially in fast growing markets, enabling us to quickly provide customized solutions.

1:44 This is why the automotive market, especially the mobility sector, remains so attractive to Aumann. In addition, the robotics and automation market is growing rapidly, driven by demographic change, labor shortages, and cost pressure. These trends also drive our next automation segment, allowing us to use our automation expertise in many industries beyond automotive. So let's take a quick look at Aumann's solutions. So our portfolio ranges from modular solutions and complex process solutions to fully integrated large scale production solutions.

2:34 At the modular end, we provide standardized cell systems. They enable our customers to adapt quickly and cost efficiently to changing market demands. Building on this, Aumann designs production lines for more complex processes, including technologies such as winding, coating, and testing. The aim is to implement special process steps in the most efficient way. Moreover, Aumann offers fully customized large scale solutions built to maximum output while ensuring high quality. Thanks to Aumann's wide range of solutions, we can fully support different production strategies of our customers.

3:31 So this slide here shows how Aumann became a technology leader in e mobility. Starting from the traditional automotive business, e mobility was identified as a growth market. Through targeted M and A, Aumann took the first step into e motor technologies. Building on our know how, we developed different solutions for the rotor quickly followed by solutions for the stator and finally, full e motor SM. After the e motor, we leveraged our expertise to develop large scale production solutions for battery modules and packs.

4:18 In addition, we introduced our own modular systems, for example, in inverter assembly, but also very useful in the field of next automation. Furthermore, we have expanded into converting technology, enabling us to offer, in addition, production solution for electrode manufacturing. Aumann is a leading provider of turnkey solutions in e mobility. This illustration here shows the drivetrain of a fully electric car, and most of these components can be produced on Aumann production lines.

5:06 From the outset, we have focused strongly on the e drive unit. Even today, our customers still use different approaches to stator and rotor design. As a turnkey provider, we offer the latest production solutions for both. Beyond that, we have expanded our portfolio with modular production systems, for example, for electronic components such as sensors or, for example, such as inverters. This enables us to offer flexible and scalable solutions perfectly tailored to each customer's needs.

5:53 Let me now turn to our battery portfolio. Here, Aumann benefits from its strong position in energy storage. We cover the full range from battery modules and packs to cell to X solutions. This expertise allows us to meet customer needs and develop new solutions for next generation battery technologies. Let's look at the e mobility market today and in the future. BEP, so battery electric vehicle, sales continues to gain traction. In 2025, more than 13,700,000 were sold worldwide, so this means a plus of 30% in comparison to 2024.

6:47 China stays in the lead with 9,000,000 units, but Europe follows with strong growth reaching more than 2,200,000 units with 26% increase compared to 2024, including Germany with an impressive 43% growth. The U. S. Market, which currently shows the lowest volume in comparison, remains at least stable at 1,200,000 units. By 2030, BEVs are expected to make up 40% of sales. By 2035, even two thirds. So overall, rising BEVs sales and a more stable geopolitical situation are expected to drive new investments in the near future.

7:43 So let us now turn to our key commercial focus in 2025. As mentioned earlier, we are expanding beyond the automotive sector and focusing more on industries that need greater efficiency, higher productivity, and less manual work. At the same time, rising labor costs and the shortage of skilled workers are accelerating the shift towards automation. In this context, we have moved, as you know, our next automation segment from an opportunistic to a strategic approach. This segment focuses on growth industries beyond automotive, such as defense, aerospace, and life science.

8:38 So let's take a closer look. In our next automation segment, we have defined three strategic growth areas. Aerospace, as you know, is gaining momentum. Demand in civil aviation is rising. Boeing and Airbus are forecasting more than 40,000 new aircraft over the next twenty years. Against this backdrop, Aumann is preparing its reentry into aviation, offering solutions to support production ramp ups with initial orders already secured in early twenty twenty six.

9:26 At the same time, defense budgets are boosting. Drones combines exactly what we do best. Electric motor, battery packs, and full system integration, end of line testing, just like in e mobility. Same technology, new applications. Therefore, we easily developed integrated drone assembly lines and secured our first orders in 2024. Besides aerospace and defense, clean tech is also booming. Here, Aumann has acquired a double digit million order in energy infrastructure, delivering flexible assembly and test lines for medium voltage circuit breakers.

10:25 Finally, life science. So this sector benefits from long term trends such as an aging population, strong investment levels, and attractive margins. In 2025, Aumann entered the pharma market with solutions for producing skin, delivered patches and oral thin films. Now, I would like to hand over to Jan. Yeah, thank you Sebastian and also a warm welcome from my side. I would now like to share with you the financial figures of the year 2025. Let me start with a brief overview.

11:12 We entered the year aware that revenue would face a decline, primarily due to a softer order intake in 2024. At the same time, we remain fully committed to implementing every possible measure to protect our margins and sustain strong profitability. It is also important to highlight, particularly in the automotive sector, that investment behavior continues to be very cautious. This trend is visible across the full spectrum of OEMs and suppliers. Against this backdrop in 2025 revenue reached $2.00 4,000,000 Euro 35% below the previous year. Profitability remained strong with a double digit EBITDA margin of 13.8%.

12:01 Order intake totaled 147,000,000, down 26% year over year. Order backlog decreased from 184 to 122,000,000 Euro at year end 2025. And our balance sheet remains robust with a net cash of €148,000,000 With this foundation, let us now dive into the details. Across segments we achieved a revenue of $2.00 4,000,000 Euro representing a year over year decrease of 35%. The main driver of this decline was the e mobility segment where revenue decreased by 37%. Revenue in the NEXT Automation segment also declined from 53,800,000 to €40,200,000 mainly because the prior year included a larger contribution from a major photovoltaic project.

12:57 For 2025 we had initially expected revenue of approximately $210,000,000 to €230,000,000 Based on early projections in January this estimate was refined to $2.00 €5,000,000 With the audited figures now available we ended the year 2025 at $2.00 4,000,000 Euro closely matching this guidance. Looking ahead we will now turn to the profitability and earnings performance to provide a complete picture of the financial results. Despite the decline in revenue, our profitability remained robust, demonstrating the resilience of our business model. EBITDA came in at 28,200,000 Euro, down 21% year over year.

13:48 The EBITDA margin increased from 11.5 to 13.8%. This reflects the strong execution especially in our e mobility segment. Key drivers of this solid performance include a high quality and well diversified order backlog, strict cost discipline across all projects, capacity adjustments aligned with a subdued market environment and an above expectation Q4 with some larger e mobility orders completed ahead of plan. Based on these dynamics we raised our initial EBITDA margin guidance of eight to 10% in January to 14%. With the final margin at 13.8% we outperformed last year by 2.3 percentage points, underlining the operational strength of our segments.

14:44 With profitability well established, let's now turn to order intake. As already mentioned, the overall investment climate remains challenging. Our business relies on our customers CapEx and especially for large scale projects long term forward looking decisions are essential. Many industries, particularly automotive, are currently not making these kinds of commitments, which affects our markets. However, we are not standing still. Internally, we continue to optimize costs and adjust capacities. Externally, we are actively developing new sales opportunities and pursuing M and A leads. We seek clear opportunities to grow and we are confident these initiatives will deliver value.

15:33 In 2025 total order intake declined 26% year over year to 147,500,000 Euro. But the NEXT Automation segment is showing strong progress. Order intake increased 54% year over year to 56,500,000 Euro. Our sales pipeline is also growing, demonstrating the potential of the next automation initiatives to drive future revenue. As a result, total order backlog declined from 184,000,000 Euro at year end 2024 to 122,200,000 Euro at year end 2025. However, the NEXT Automation segment continues to gain momentum with its order backlog increasing 39% to 47,900,000 Euro.

16:27 While the overall backlog is below our desired level, both volume and quality of the backlog are solid. And we have of course continued to account for this backlog conservatively in our financial statements. Let me now move to the next slide and walk you through the segment figures starting with the e mobility segment. In the e mobility segment order intake of 91,000,000 Euro is 44% under the previous year due to the mentioned market conditions. As a result, order backlog decreased by 50% to 74,300,000 Euro. At the same time, revenue decreased by 37% to 163,800,000 Euro. EBITDA is declining at a slower rate than revenue by minus 21% to 26,600,000 Euro, which means a strong margin of 16.2%.

17:26 In the next automation segment, order intake increased year over year to 56,500,000 Euro as the new positioning is opening new markets. End of twenty twenty five order backlog amounted 47,900,000 Euro. Revenue decreased 25% year over year to 40,200,000 Euro and the EBITDA margin increased by two percentage points to 12.8% which leads to a total EBITDA of 5,100,000 Euro. Before we take a closer look at the balance sheet, let me provide a brief overview of our group cash flow in 2025. Cash flow from operating activities reached 38,400,000 Euro, reflecting the strong results for the year million and the Euro reduction in working capital compared to 2024.

18:25 Importantly, we returned 23,300,000 Euro to our shareholders through dividends and the share buyback program, underlining our commitment to delivering value to investors. As a result, cash and cash equivalents including securities remain at a record high level of 152,800,000 Euro. By the end of December twenty twenty five our balance sheet continues to be in a good shape, with an equity ratio of 66.7% and 153,000,000 Euro cash, of which 148,000,000 Euro are net cash. Our financial foundation will continue to allow us to respond flexibly to market opportunities to drive the expansion of the NEXT automation segment both organically and through M and A activities and to ensure further shareholder participation through share buybacks and dividends.

19:27 Following the successful year 2025, we will propose a dividend payment of $2.05 at the AGM, which is a further modest dividend increase compared to the previous years. And of course, we currently have an existing authorization to acquire treasury shares up to 10% of share capital. This provides the company with flexibility to act opportunistically in the market and at the same time it ensures that we can continue to participate our shareholders in the company's success. To conclude, we would like to provide our guidance for 2026. We expect a mixed but well balanced development across our segments. And e mobility revenue is likely to decline due to a lower starting order backlog.

20:16 In NEXT Automation we see continued positive momentum. Overall the group enters 2026 with an order backlog of 122,200,000 Euro. We expect total revenue of around 160,000,000 Euro with an EBITDA margin of six to 8%. Our diversified business model provides stability and supports a resilient and profitable year. Let me now hand over to Sebastian again. Yeah. Thanks, Jan. So let me briefly summarize. 2025 was a challenging year for Aumann. Revenue dropped to $2.00 4,000,000 as investments across the European automotive sector remained weak.

21:05 So despite these headwinds, we delivered a strong operating performance. We reduced capacity, further increased the flexibility of our cost structure and achieved additional cost savings in project execution. As a result, we reached €28,000,000 EBITDA, achieving an EBITDA margin of 13.8%, a strong indication of improved efficiency and profitability despite lower volumes. Thanks to these, we proposed a dividend of €0.25 per share, continuing to provide an attractive return to our shareholders.

21:52 Looking ahead to 2026, we are facing a decline in revenues again. Nevertheless, we are targeting a profitable EBITDA margin of six to 8%. So also in 2026, as Jan mentioned, our financial position is strong with high liquidity. That clearly set us apart from most of our competitors and give us the freedom to shape 2026. Last year, NEXT Automation developed strongly. This confirms that our diversification is working. Our clear goal is to accelerate this growth both organically and through M and A.

22:44 So thank you very much for your attention. We are happy now to take your questions. Yes, we are. Thank you very much for your presentation. Ladies and gentlemen, we are moving on to the Q and A session. If you would like to ask your questions in person via audio line, please click on the raise your hand button. If you are dialing in by phone, please use star key nine to raise your hand and star key 6 to unmute yourself and additionally you can also place your questions in our chat box as already happened. What will be recurring revenue after sales services next year and in year 2025? Yeah, the recurring revenue from after sales and services is approximately 10%.

23:37 What we see in investment reluctance phases like 2025 and maybe also in '26 that we at some customers have higher volumes of retrofits of production lines and this could as long as the general CapEx is low give maybe an additional increase on the after sales side. Thank you. How do you view Aumann's competitive position in the European EV ecosystem and to what extent are increasingly aggressive Chinese entrants reshaping pricing, technology and market share dynamics? And maybe starting from the starting the question with the question of competition out of China. So, I mean, maybe in comparison to other sectors, so we are dealing with China competition, I would say, the last ten years. So there's nothing new.

24:39 Yeah? I I also would add that there are not any changes concerning the competition out of China. Our business model is to be the front runner for the first very important, let's say, one or three lines, especially if start of production of a new EV is is very important, for example, like it was in the new class for BMW. And, I mean, in in this area, the customer still is buying, let's say, more or less confidence, and this is our business model. So for the fourth, fifth, sixth line, there might be competition out of China. But then normally in normal market conditions we are already ahead in new projects.

25:31 And could you please give us more details on M and A environment and activities in Americas which can give us inorganic growth? Yeah. So M and A, as you know, is our important or is an important pillar of our strategy. That's for sure. That's not new. So as we said also in other calls before, so we switched a little bit the direction. So we are now looking especially for targets in the area of NEXA automation. That's where we would like to expand our portfolio and that's clear our target for 2026 to acquire a company in this area.

26:20 Thank you very much. And the next question is slightly similar. Could you please elaborate further on the target focus, the size, geography and technology? Yeah. So geo geographically, it is it is still for sure The United States, so that's something we would like to enter. Therefore, we need a hub which is close to our technology, maybe a little bit similar. Within the European area, we are more searching, as I said, for additional technology and for additional, yeah, customer customer relationships within the next automation. So looking in areas, as we said before, aviation, defense, for example, life science as well.

27:18 And without large M and A, your capital structure looks rather inefficient and the share price level low. Any further buybacks to be expected? So there is no current decision on further buybacks, but as we have shown in the presentation, we have the authorization for another 10% buyback of our share capital and we will decide if necessary on that topic. What is the potential revenue that can be achieved with the current personnel and corporate structure? Yeah, so we adjusted capacities during 2024 and 2025.

28:03 We didn't adjust directly on the 160,000,000 revenue guidance which we have for 2026. We still have a bit more capacity in house so that we can hope for the rebound in order intake and scale up fast again. So if we don't see a positive effect then of course we will also use 2026 to further adjust capacities. We will also have the one or other topic in 2026 where see a few adjustments necessary but not larger ones. And as soon as the market rebounds again, then we are able to do like 160 to maybe two forty, two fifty million euro revenues again.

28:54 Thank you very much. You already answered one of the next questions. Have you continued to reduce the number of employees year to date? Yeah, as said, so we had some smaller adjustments, not like bigger topics but small adjustments here and there. So we continued to make some homework but no big issues. And there are two questions left. Any new strategic industries, markets or processes that Aumann is looking on?

29:40 And can you say something about order intake in Q1 and the sales pipeline? Yeah. I think what we tried to show in the presentation a little bit more detail is to give to give some ideas in next automation. So next automation for us important or for us, it was important, especially that we had this growing market or that we had really acquired one big project but also some minor projects in the fourth quarter twenty twenty five. So I think you have seen that I think in the middle of the year, we are roughly 20% higher in order intake in next automation.

30:30 After the third quarter, it was roughly 35% higher. And now after the last quarter, all overall, we are 55% higher. So that means the pipeline, the sales pipeline, especially in next automation, is rising. This takes a little bit time step by step. But as I said, for us, really important was to have, for example, this big project within the infrastructure area. Yeah? So not a really, in our point of view, a really nice project in the infrastructure, but also in cleantech and also in aviation. So in all these areas now, we have the first projects in infrastructure.

31:16 We even have this big project. So this is important for us. And you have to have in mind that, unfortunately, this order intakes in NEXUS automation take more time than in e mobility because, as I said, the industry is new. We have the customers are new. The products are new. So and and this will take a little bit time also in 2026. Yeah. So we will not see the big recovery in the first quarter, but we will see step by step an increasing, a very increasing next automation. Thank you very much and with an eye on the time we have the last questions. There are three questions in a row and I will take them one by one. The first is: Aumann reports 12,200,000 in securities apparently in the form of bonds.

32:11 What specific type of bonds are these? These are government bonds and corporate bonds, but each with good credit ratings. And can you provide any information regarding order intake in the first quarter of twenty twenty six broken down by segment? Honestly speaking, not yet. Do you expect significant working capital effects in cash flow in 2026? Yeah, we finished the last two or three years at relatively low working capital levels. So each year we expected a little bit working capital increases but managed to hold the working capital at that low level.

33:01 For '26 from today's perspective I would see some working capital increases maybe back to a level of 15 to 20% of revenue. Thank you and the last question: Can NEXT Automation reach similar EBITDA margin levels as the currently higher ones of 16% e mobility? Yeah, in general of course. So we had these high EBITDA margins especially in e mobility in 2026. As said, we came or we finished projects better than expected, which boosted the EBITDA margin end of the year, especially in Q4.

33:53 For 2026, both segments will be a little bit lower in margins due to the decline in revenue. But in general, we are trying to maintain a good and profitable margin level in both segments. And as we said in the other segments like or in the other industries like aviation or life sciences there are also good margins to reach and achieve. Thank you very much. Ladies and gentlemen, we have come to the end of today's earnings call. Thank you very much for your interest in the Aumann Ag Ord. A big thank you also to you Sebastian and Jan Hendrik for your presentation and your time.

34:49 Should you have any further questions, ladies and gentlemen, you are always very welcome to place them to Investor Relations. I wish you all a successful day around the world and handing back over to Sebastian for some final remarks. Yeah. I hope that we have shown that Aumann will stay strong also in 2026 in, unfortunately, another challenging year for our industry. But, you know, we are focusing on what we can control. So that means, internally, we are continuously optimizing our cost structure. We are building our sales opportunities in next automation. And for sure, we have have an eye on M and A activities.

35:34 So thank you very much for your interest.