Sales growth of 8.7% and solid financial performance in 2014

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1 Sales growth of 8.7% and solid financial performance in 2014 Paris, 18 February 2015 Saft, leader in the design, development and manufacture of advanced batteries for industry, announces its fourth quarter and full-year 2014 revenue, along with its full-year 2014 results key figures Sales of million, strong growth of 8.7%, in line with Saft s medium term ambitions. Improved profitability with an EBITDA margin of 15.3% compared to 14.8% in 2013 and EBITDA of million. Net profit of 48.1 million, up 31.8%. Strong free cash flow of 46.2 million in Proposed dividend of 0.82 per share, an increase of 5.1%. Outlook 2015 sales growth of over 5% at constant exchange rates. EBITDA margin of at least 15.8% of sales. Medium-term outlook confirmed. Bruno Dathis, Acting Chairman of the Management Board, commented: "The Saft Group performed very well in 2014 in terms of both business growth and profitability. Revenues grew strongly for the second consecutive year. Sales increased in the three main technologies, with the strongest growth coming from the lithium-ion activities. Saft continued to increase market share in several segments, particularly in the industrial standby, rail and metering markets. The Group s operational profitability increased in 2014, supported by improved EBITDA margins in both divisions while net profit recorded strong growth. This solid operational performance together with a well-controlled investment policy and a firm grip on the working capital requirement enabled us to increase our free cash flow very significantly in For 2015, Saft is targeting sales growth of over 5% and an EBIDTA margin of at least 15.8%. I am confident in our teams ability to drive the Group s medium term development and to achieve the objectives fixed last November. N

2 2014 key figures (in million) Reported YoY Growth Revenue o/w IBG % o/w SBG % Gross profit % Gross profit margin (%) 28.5% 27.4% +110 bps EBITDA % o/w IBG % o/w SBG % o/w Others (1) (5.8) (5.4) n.a. EBITDA margin (%) 15.3% 14.8% +50 bps IBG EBITDA margin (%) 11.3% 10.5% +80 bps SBG EBITDA margin (%) 23.8% 23.1% +70 bps EBIT % EBIT margin (%) 9.5% 8.7% +80 bps Net profit for the period % EPS ( per share) % Free Cash Flow % Net debt/ebitda (54.1)% (1) The cost center "Others" includes costs for central departments, mainly IT, research, headquarters, finance and administration. n.a. not applicable. Sales figures and variations are at current exchange rates, except for the change in revenue which is measured at constant exchange rates. The average exchange rates EUR/USD in 2014 and 2013 are identical at 1 euro to US$1.33. The 2014 consolidated financial statements prepared by Saft's Management Board were reviewed by the Supervisory Board on 13 February The consolidated financial statements were certified by the statutory auditors on 17 February N

3 2014 highlights Saft s multi-technology, multi-market strategy continued to bring broad-based benefits in Numerous successes in Asia 2014 saw continued success for Saft s commercial teams in Asia, in particular on the rail market, with major contract wins in high-profile projects such as the Shanghai metro and the Lanxin line bullet trains in Northwest China. SBG also continued to gain market share in China in new water and gas meter projects won against local competitors. These successes are contributing to the development of Saft s Zhuhai facility, which reached a major milestone at the end of 2014 when it produced its one hundred millionth primary cell. Good growth in Li-ion activities On the ESS market, Saft won projects around the world, with for example a first Li-ion container project on a Japanese island and others deployed in Hawaii, in La Reunion and in South America. Another major Li-ion success in 2014 was the launch by a European customer of a new electric forklift truck range with Saft batteries. This leading European manufacturer chose Liion as it offers significant performance, operational benefits and cost savings. They are anticipating rolling out Li-ion throughout their entire warehouse and electric truck portfolio. Saft s Li-ion batteries are also now deployed in electric and hybrid bus scale tests in Stockholm and Hamburg for a major European manufacturer, with start of production planned for H Traditional technologies continue to outperform their markets 2014 was also a particularly strong year for Saft s traditional technologies with very large contracts won for stationary back-up power batteries in oil projects in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, excellent growth for nickel telecom batteries in the US, market share gains in primary lithium in India and China and the technological success of the Philae lander mission with a Saft primary lithium battery. N

4 Industrial Battery Group (IBG) Divisional performance Over the full year, despite a small sales decrease of 2.4% in the fourth quarter, the Industrial Battery Group division s sales progressed by 13.3% at constant exchange rates, and totalled million, with growth in all market segments except telecom networks. Full-year sales in the division increased in both nickel and lithium-ion technologies. The division s EBITDA grew 21.6% to 47.2 million in This improvement in profitability was driven by volume growth in both nickel and lithium-ion technologies, leading to further reductions in losses at the Jacksonville and Nersac facilities. Stationary applications Sales of stationary backup power batteries rose 10.4% over the year. The growth came from both the industrial standby and the energy storage systems segments. In the fourth quarter, sales of stationary batteries fell 4.5% due to a decrease in telecom network batteries as a major contract in India came to an end. This effect was also seen in the third quarter. However the industrial standby market continued to grow strongly as did the sales of lithium-ion energy storage batteries which more than doubled during the quarter, progressing almost 150% over the year. Transportation The transportation market posted full-year sales growth of 16.0%, with strong growth in each of the aviation, rail and vehicle segments. In the fourth quarter, growth in the transport business was 4.2%, due to a challenging comparable. The aviation business was strong in 2014, both in the civil and the US military markets. As in 2013, growth in the rail segment remained higher than market growth, driven in particular by sales in Asia. Finally, in the vehicle segment, sales of lithium-ion batteries grew strongly over the year. Specialty Battery Group (SBG) 2014 sales in the Specialty Battery Group totalled million, an increase of 2.1% yearon-year at constant exchange rates. Sales rose 3.0% in the fourth quarter. The division's EBITDA totalled 62.6 million in 2014, up 5.9% compared with This increase was mainly driven by volume growth and good control of production costs. Civil electronics The strong momentum in the civil electronics markets over the first nine months of the year continued into the fourth quarter, with sales up 13.3%, resulting in full-year sales growth of 13%. This segment achieved strong growth in Asia but also in Europe, with the roll-out of several nationwide programmes of new gas and water metering systems. N

5 Space and defence The space and defence segment saw sales decline 15.1% over All defence segments saw business levels decline with an expected sharp drop in torpedo battery sales. Radio battery sales posted a more limited decline. Full-year sales to the space market saw a moderate decrease compared with the previous year. Other highlights of 2014 financial results Taking into account the 5.8 million cost of support activities and a 1.6 million increase in depreciation and amortisation charges to 39.6 million, Group EBIT totalled 64.4 million in 2014, up 18.2% relative to Net financial costs amounted to 2.1 million, 8.4 million less than the 2013 figure. Financial expenses were pushed down by 7.2 million of foreign exchange gains in 2014, caused by the dollar's sharp rise against the euro at year-end. The Group's net borrowing cost was globally stable at 6.9 million, giving an average interest rate on net debt of 3.23%. After taking into account the Group's 1.9 million share of the net income generated by the ASB joint venture which rose sharply net income from continuing operations totalled 48.1 million in 2014 as opposed to 41.7 million in Total net income in 2014 was also 48.1 million versus 36.5 million in 2013, the latter including a 5.2 million net loss on the disposal of the Small Nickel Battery (SNB) business net income grew 31.8% compared to Due to a strong increase in operating cash flow to 78.9 million, reduced investment of 32.8 million and a controlled increase in the working capital requirement, free cash flow surged from 16.6 million (1) in 2013 to 46.2 million in Saft ended 2014 with an excellent cash position of million, giving the Group the flexibility it needs for the future. Net debt totalled 77.4 million at 31 December 2014, as opposed to million at the end of The strong generation of cash flow and the robust balance sheet enables management to propose an ordinary dividend of 0.82 per share, up 5.1% compared to (1) Before capital transactions, i.e. the acquisition of the Nersac Li-ion production unit for 8.5 million. N

6 Outlook For 2015, the Group expects sales growth of over 5% at constant exchange rates and an EBITDA margin of at least 15.8%. The IBG division has begun 2015 with a solid order book. IBG sales growth will be affected by lower sales of lithium-ion batteries in the first half. The SBG division is targeting sales growth in the civil electronics and space markets and a slowdown in defence activities. This sales growth objective integrates a cautious view of activity in the oil industry. Saft confirms the medium term objectives announced during the Investor day in November 2014: CAGR of 8-10% at constant exchange rates between 2015 and 2018, a medium-term EBITDA margin of 17%, together with improved cash flow generation. An investor and analyst presentation is available at Financial calendar for Q1 turnover 23 April 2015 Annual General Meeting 12 May Q2 turnover and half year results 23 July Q3 turnover 22 October 2015 IMPORTANT LEGAL INFORMATION AND CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS Certain statements contained herein are forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, statements that are predictions of or indicate future events, trends, plans, objectives or results of operation. Undue reliance should not be placed on such statements because, by their nature, they are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and can be affected by other factors that could cause actual results and Saft s plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward looking statements. About Saft Saft (Euronext: Saft) is a world leading designer and manufacturer of advanced technology batteries for industry. The Group is the world s leading manufacturer of nickel batteries and primary lithium batteries for the industrial infrastructure and processes, transportation, civil and military electronics markets. Saft is the world leader in space and defence batteries with its Li-ion technologies which are also deployed in the energy storage, transportation and telecommunication network markets. More than 3,800 employees in 18 countries, 14 manufacturing sites and an extensive sales network all contribute to accelerating the Group s growth for the future. Saft batteries. Designed for industry. Saft Jill Ledger, Corporate Communications Director Tel: , jill.ledger@saftbatteries.com Vannara Huot, Group Treasurer and Investors Relations Manager Tel: , vannara.huot@saftbatteries.com Brunswick Mathilde Rodié, Benoit Grange, Guillaume Le Tarnec Tel.: saft@brunswickgroup.com N

7 APPENDICES Quarterly sales by division Consolidated income statement Consolidated statement of comprehensive income Consolidated statement of cash flows Consolidated statement of financial position Statement of changes in equity N

8 Quartely sales by division In million YoY growth at current exchange rates YoY growth at constant exchange rates Q1 IBG % 28.0% SBG % 5.2% Total % 17.9% Q2 IBG % 34.9% SBG (3.9)% (1.7)% Total % 18.9% Q3 IBG % 2.8% SBG % 2.2% Total % 2.5% Q4 IBG % (2.4)% SBG % 3.0% Total % (0.4)% Total IBG % 13.3% SBG % 2.1% Total % 8.7% N

9 Consolidated income statement (in million) Revenue Cost of sales (485.1) (453.4) (422.0) Gross profit Distribution and sales costs (45.3) (40.6) (39.4) Administrative expenses (51.5) (47.4) (42.4) Research and Development expenses (33.9) (28.3) (24.4) Restructuring costs (0.5) 0.5 (0.8) Other operating income and expenses (0.1) Operating profit Finance costs, net (2.1) (10.5) (12.6) Share of profit/(loss) of associates Profit before income tax from continuing operations Income tax on continuing operations (15.5) (10.4) (15.5) Net profit/(loss) from continuing operations Net profit/(loss) from discontinued operations (1) - (5.2) (7.3) Net profit for the period Attributable to owners of the parent company Attributable to non-controlling interests Earnings per share (in per share) basic diluted Earnings per share of continued operations (in per share) basic diluted (1) Net profit/(loss) from discontinued operations for 2012 and 2013 relate to the SNB small nickel batteries activity sold on 28 June N

10 Consolidated statement of comprehensive income (in million) Net profit for the period Other comprehensive income: Actuarial gains and losses recognised against statement of comprehensive income Tax effect on actuarial gains and losses recognised against statement of comprehensive income (3.9) 1.0 (4.7) 1.3 (0.4) 1.6 Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss (2.6) 0.6 (3.1) Fair value gains/(losses) on cash flow hedge (1.1) (0.9) 1.5 Fair value gains/(losses), net on investment hedge (14.8) Currency translation adjustments 26.6 (12.8) (9.2) Tax effect on income/(expenses) recognised directly in equity Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss Total other comprehensive income for the period, net of tax 5.5 (1.4) (4.6) 16.2 (10.2) (0.2) 13.6 (9.6) (3.3) Total comprehensive income for the period Attributable to: Owners of the parent company Non-controlling interests 0.4 (0.5) - N

11 Consolidated statement of cash flows (in million) Net profit for the period from continuing operations Adjustments Share of net profit/(loss) of associates (net of dividends received) (0.8) (0.5) 0.1 Income tax expense from continued activities Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets amortisation and depreciation (1) Finance costs, net Stock option plans Net movements in provisions (1.7) - (4.7) Other 4.7 (6.1) (0.4) Change in inventories 0.9 (19.2) (3.3) Change in trade and other receivables (13.8) (3.1) (13.6) Change in trade and other payables Change in other receivables and payables (4.9) (6.8) (11.5) Changes in working capital (11.6) (26.6) (27.4) Cash flows from operations before interest and tax Interest paid (7.2) (7.3) (6.6) Income tax paid (10.5) (6.9) (9.7) Net cash generated by operating activities Cash flows from investing activities Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired 0.2 (8.7) - Purchase of property, plant and equipment (28.8) (42.0) (44.6) Purchase of intangible assets (5.3) (6.3) (9.7) Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment Variation of other non-current financial assets and liabilities - (0.2) 0.1 Net cash used in investing activities (32.8) (56.9) (53.5) Cash flows from financing activities Capital increase Purchase/Sale of treasury shares - liquidity contract (0.2) New financial debt Financial debt repayments - - (328.5) Grants related to assets and insurance indemnities Increase/(decrease) in other long-term liabilities (1.1) (0.4) (0.4) Dividends paid to Company shareholders (9.8) (9.0) (43.1) Net cash generated by/(used in) financing activities (4.0) 1.8 (152.3) Net cash generated by/(used in) continuing operations 42.1 (0.9) (150.3) Net cash generated by/(used in) discontinued operations (2) - (8.4) - Net increase/(decrease) in cash 42.1 (9.3) (150.3) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Impact of changes in exchange rates 6.7 (3.8) (2.4) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD (1) Net of amortisation of deferred grants related to assets. (2) Net cash used in discontinued operations for 2013 relate to the SNB small nickel batteries activity sold on 28 June N

12 Consolidated statement of financial position Assets (in million) 31/12/ /12/ /12/2012 Non-current assets Intangible assets, net Goodwill Property, plant and equipment, net Investment properties Investments in joint undertakings Deferred income tax assets Other non-current financial assets Current assets Inventories Tax credits Trade and other receivables Derivative financial instruments Cash and cash equivalents Assets held for sale (1) TOTAL ASSETS 1, (1) Assets held for sale as of end of 2012 relate to the SNB small nickel batteries activity sold on 28 June N

13 Liabilities (in million) 31/12/ /12/ /12/2012 Shareholders equity Ordinary shares Share premium Treasury shares (0.5) (1.5) (2.0) Cumulative translation adjustments Fair value and other reserves (7.7) Group consolidated reserves Minority interest in equity Total shareholders equity Liabilities Non-current liabilities Financial debt Other non-current financial liabilities Deferred grants related to assets Deferred income tax liabilities Pensions and other long-term employee benefits Provisions Current liabilities Trade and other payables Income tax payable Financial debt Derivative instruments Pensions and other long-term employee benefits Provisions Liabilities associated with assets held for sale (1) TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY 1, (1) Liabilities associated with assets held for sale as end of 2012 relate to the SNB small nickel batteries activity sold on 28 June N

14 Statement of changes in equity (in million) Number of shares making up the capital Share capital Owners of the parent company Share premium Reserves Total comprehensive income for the period attributable to equity Noncontrolling Shareholders equity interests Balance at 31/12/ ,174, Appropriation of 2011 comprehensive income Employee stock option plans (value of employee services) Total (80.2) Dividend paid - (25.1) (18.0) - (43.1) - (43.1) Purchase/Sale of treasury shares - - (0.2) - (0.2) - (0.2) Total comprehensive income Balance at 31/12/ ,174, Appropriation of 2012 comprehensive income Employee stock option plans (value of employee services) Capital increase by exercise of stock options (31.4) , Dividend paid in shares 583, (9.8) Dividend paid - - (9.0) - (9.0) - (9.0) Purchase/Sale of treasury shares Total comprehensive income (0.5) 26.9 Balance at 31/12/ ,853, Appropriation of 2013 comprehensive income Employee stock option plans (value of employee services) Capital increase by exercise of stock options (27.4) , Dividend paid - - (9.8) - (9.8) (9.8) Dividend paid in shares 467, (10.4) Purchase/Sale of treasury shares Total comprehensive income Balance at 31/12/ ,605, N