Vaisala Corporation Half Year Financial Report January–June 2021

Vaisala’s President and CEO Kai Öistämö
“Vaisala had an excellent second quarter. The global economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic has been stronger and faster than earlier anticipated. The recovery had a positive effect on our second quarter demand particularly in APAC and Europe. Our performance was strong in the second quarter: net sales grew by 20% and operating margin continued to improve and was 10%. Our order book is now at all-time high EUR 165 million.

Our second quarter order intake increased by 25% year-on-year. Picked up demand was reflected especially in Industrial Measurements business area bringing its order growth to excellent 41%. Orders received for life science as well as for industrial instruments market segments were very strong. Weather and Environment business area reached 17% growth in orders received including the earlier announced Ethiopian contract of EUR 13 million that was now included in the order book.

I am satisfied with the way we have been able to successfully solve global component availability challenges together with our suppliers. Net sales growth in Industrial Measurements business area was excellent 31% led by industrial instruments and life science market segments. Weather and Environment business area’s net sales growth was good 14% and it came from renewable energy and meteorology market segments.

During the quarter, we proceeded well in our strategy execution. We continued to renew our product portfolio in both business areas and progressed in transformation of digital services business as planned. Industrial Measurements business area was successful in scaling up delivery capability to match with increased demand in its flagship markets, high-end humidity and high-end carbon dioxide. Within the growth businesses, continuous monitoring systems and power industry applications grew strongly, and liquid measurements turned back to growth path. Weather and Environment business area’s recovery from the pandemic has been slower in general. Still, net sales in renewable energy market segment grew strongly and meteorology market segment progressed well.

Vaisala has coped well with the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to comprehensive and efficient mitigation measures of our team. Thanks to precautions taken by our operations employees, production has been running without disruptions throughout the pandemic. Despite the global shortage on components, we have been successful in securing delivery capability with increasing volumes. Simultaneously we have been able to continue the profitability improvement due to increased sales in product business and more efficient operations. Shortage of components has increased material costs and also global transportation costs have gone up. Due to continued lack of project orders, we rightsized our Project and Customer Services Unit during the second quarter to match the current needs. I am satisfied that due to personnel demands in other units we were able to offer positions to impacted employees.

Based on our strong first half of the year and despite risks for shortage of components, on July 13, 2021, we raised our business outlook for 2021. We now estimate that full-year 2021 net sales will be in the range of EUR 400–420 million and operating result (EBIT) to be in the range of EUR 40–50 million.

Financial review Q2 2021

Orders received and order book

* Change with comparable exchange rates

Second quarter 2021 orders received were strong with 25% increase compared to previous year and totaled EUR 120.1 (95.9) million. Orders received increased mostly in industrial instruments, life science, and meteorology market segments, whereas orders received decreased in ground transportation market segment. Orders received increased in both business areas. Orders received in meteorology market segment included EUR 13 million weather infrastructure project order with the National Meteorology Agency in Ethiopia announced in October 2019.

At the end of June 2021, order book amounted to EUR 165.3 (145.3) million and increased by 14% compared to previous year. Order book increased in both business areas. EUR 96.2 (85.5) million of the order book is scheduled to be delivered in 2021.

Financial performance

* Amortization of intangible assets related to the acquired businesses
** Change with comparable exchange rates

Second quarter 2021 operating result increased from previous year to EUR 10.9 (7.9) million, 10.0 (8.7) % of net sales following growth in net sales and improved gross margin.

Net sales increased by 20% compared to previous year and were EUR 109.5 (91.4) million. In constant currencies, net sales increased by 23%. Net sales increased mostly in industrial instruments, life science, meteorology, and renewable energy market segments. Net sales decreased in ground transportation and aviation market segments. Net sales grew in both business areas. In the comparison period, services net sales included discontinued assessment services provided for renewable energy customers and lease income.

Gross margin increased to 55.3 (54.5) % following net sales growth in product business. Other operating income and expenses included EUR 2.2 million expense after valuation of contingent considerations related to acquired businesses based on updated financial plans for 2021. Comparison period included EUR 1.6 million cost related to discontinuation of assessment services provided to renewable energy segment.

Second quarter 2021 financial income and expenses were EUR -0.8 (-0.9) million. This was mainly a result of valuation of USD denominated receivables, USD currency hedging and interest expenses. Result before taxes was EUR 10.1 (7.0) million and result for the period EUR 9.4 (5.7) million. Earnings per share was EUR 0.25 (0.16).

Financial review January–June 2021

Orders received and order book

* Change with comparable exchange rates

January–June 2021 orders received were strong with 22% increase compared to previous year and totaled EUR 226.3 (185.6) million. Orders received increased mostly in industrial instruments, life science, meteorology, and renewable energy market segments. Orders received in ground transportation and aviation decreased. Orders received increased in both business areas.

Financial performance

* Amortization of intangible assets related to the acquired businesses
** Change with comparable exchange rates

January–June 2021 operating result increased from previous year to EUR 19.0 (13.1) million, 9.5 (7.3) % of net sales following growth in net sales.

Net sales increased by 13% compared to previous year and were EUR 201.5 (178.6) million. In constant currencies, net sales increased by 16%. Net sales increased mostly in life science, industrial instruments, renewable energy, and meteorology market segments. Net sales in aviation and ground transportation market segments decreased. In the comparison period, services net sales included discontinued assessment services provided for renewable energy customers and lease income.

Gross margin was at previous year’s level 55.1 (55.4) %. Other operating income and expenses included EUR 2.2 million expense due to valuation of contingent considerations related to acquired businesses based on updated financial plans for 2021. Comparison period included EUR 1.6 million cost related to discontinuation of assessment services provided to renewable energy segment.

January–June 2021 financial income and expenses were EUR -1.0 (-1.2) million. This was mainly a result of valuation of USD denominated receivables, USD currency hedging and interest expenses. Income taxes were EUR 2.3 (2.2) million based on estimated effective tax rate of 13.0 (18.3) %. Estimated effective tax rate declined from previous year as Vaisala expects to utilize tax losses carried forward from acquired companies. Result before taxes was EUR 18.0 (11.9) million and result for the period EUR 15.7 (9.8) million. Earnings per share was EUR 0.43 (0.27).

Statement of financial position, cash flow and financing
Vaisala’s financial position remained strong during January–June 2021. Cash and cash equivalents increased to EUR 52.3 (Dec 31, 2020: 45.4) million at the end of June after EUR 22 million dividend payment. At the end of June, statement of financial position totaled EUR 372.5 (Dec 31, 2020: 351.8) million.

In January–June 2021, cash flow from operating activities increased to EUR 29.4 (4.2) million mainly as a result of improved net result as well as increase in liabilities.

On June 30, 2021, Vaisala had interest-bearing borrowings totaling EUR 55.1 (Dec 31, 2020: 45.2) million. EUR 40.0 million of the interest-bearing borrowings related to a term loan, which has a financial covenant (gearing) tested semi-annually. On June 30, 2021, Vaisala was in compliance with the covenant. For short term liquidity purposes, Vaisala had drawn financing from the domestic commercial paper markets totaling EUR 15 million on June 30, 2021 (Dec 31, 2021: EUR 0 million). Vaisala has also a committed revolving credit facility, which was undrawn on June 30, 2021 (Dec 31, 2020: EUR 5 million). In addition, interest-bearing lease liabilities totaled EUR 11.0 (Dec 31, 2020: 11.9) million.

Capital expenditure
In January–June 2021, capital expenditure in intangible assets and property, plant and equipment totaled EUR 9.3 (17.3) million. Capital expenditure was mainly related to investments in machinery and equipment to develop and maintain Vaisala’s production and service operations as well as equipment for the R&D laboratories.

Depreciation, amortization, and impairment were EUR 10.5 (10.5) million. This included EUR 3.8 (3.6) million of amortization of identified intangible assets related to the acquired businesses.

Personnel
The average number of personnel employed during January–June 2021 was 1,955 (1,913). At the end of June 2021, the number of employees was 2,016 (Dec 31, 2020: 1,939). 78 (77) % of employees were located in EMEA, 14 (14) % in Americas and 8 (9) % in APAC. 66 (65) % of employees were based in Finland.

In May 2021, Vaisala started co-operation negotiations in Finland in its Project and Customer Services unit within Weather and Environment business area following decrease in project orders. These negotiations covered 57 employees. As a result of the negotiations, nine positions were terminated. Redundancies were avoided as impacted employees were employed in open positions within the company. 

Q2 and January–June 2021 review by business area

Industrial Measurements business area

* Amortization of intangible assets related to the acquired businesses
** Change with comparable exchange rates

Q2 2021 review
Industrial Measurements business area’s second quarter 2021 orders received increased by 41% compared to previous year totaling to EUR 45.2 (32.1) million. Orders received increased very strongly in life science and industrial instruments market segments. Orders received increased also in power industry and liquid measurements market segments.

At the end of June 2021, Industrial Measurements business area’s order book amounted to EUR 26.0 (17.2) million and increased by 51% compared to previous year. EUR 23.1 (14.6) million of the order book is scheduled to be delivered in 2021. Order book increased in all market segments.

Industrial Measurements business area’s second quarter 2021 operating result increased compared to previous year and totaled EUR 10.5 (7.1) million, 23.7 (20.9) % of net sales. Net sales growth increased operating result.

Second quarter 2021 net sales were EUR 44.1 (33.8) million and increased by 31% compared to previous year. In constant currencies, net sales increased by 36%. Net sales growth was strong in industrial instruments and life science market segments, and good in power industry market segment.

Gross margin decreased to 63.7 (64.6) % mainly due to sales mix.

January–June 2021 review
Industrial Measurements business area’s January–June 2021 orders received increased by 31% compared to previous year totaling to EUR 91.1 (69.6) million. Increase in orders received was very strong in life science and industrial instruments and good in power and liquid measurements market segments.

Industrial Measurements business area’s January–June 2021 operating result increased compared to previous year and totaled EUR 19.9 (14.7) million, 23.7 (21.2) % of net sales. Net sales growth increased operating result.

January–June 2021 net sales were EUR 83.9 (69.2) million and increased by 21% compared to previous year. In constant currencies, net sales increased by 26%. Net sales growth was very strong in life science, strong in industrial instruments and power industry market segments. Net sales for liquid measurements declined following weak order intake in the second half of 2020.

Gross margin decreased to 63.6 (65.2) % mainly due to sales mix.

Weather and Environment business area

* Amortization of intangible assets related to the acquired businesses
** Change with comparable exchange rates

Q2 2021 review
Weather and Environment business area’s second quarter 2021 orders received increased by 17% compared to previous year and totaled EUR 74.9 (63.8) million. Increase in orders received was very strong in meteorology market segment. Orders received increased also in renewable energy and aviation market segments. Orders received in ground transportation market segment decreased mainly due to strong comparison period. Orders received in meteorology market segment included EUR 13 million weather infrastructure project order with the National Meteorology Agency in Ethiopia announced in October 2019.

At the end of June 2021, Weather and Environment business area’s order book amounted to EUR 139.4 (128.1) million and increased by 9% compared to previous year. EUR 73.1 (70.9) million of the order book is scheduled to be delivered in 2021. Order book grew in meteorology and renewable energy market segments, whereas order book in aviation and ground transportation market segments decreased.

Weather and Environment business area’s second quarter 2021 operating result increased compared to previous year and totaled EUR 1.0 (0.7) million, 1.5 (1.2) % of net sales.

Second quarter 2021 net sales were EUR 65.4 (57.6) million and increased by 14% compared to previous year. In constant currencies, net sales increased by 16%. Net sales grew in meteorology and renewable energy market segments, whereas net sales in ground transportation and aviation market segments decreased. In the comparison period, services net sales included discontinued assessment services provided for renewable energy customers and lease income.

Gross margin increased to 49.6 (48.6) % mainly due to sales mix and increased volumes. Other operating income and expenses included EUR 2.2 million expense after valuation of contingent considerations related to acquired businesses based on updated financial plans for 2021. Comparison period included EUR 1.6 million cost related to discontinuation of assessment services provided to renewable energy segment.

January–June 2021 review
Weather and Environment business area’s January–June 2021 orders received increased by 16% compared to previous year and totaled EUR 135.1 (116.0) million. Increase in orders received was strong in meteorology and renewable energy market segments, whereas orders received in ground transportation and aviation market segments decreased. Second quarter orders received included EUR 13 million weather infrastructure project order with the National Meteorology Agency in Ethiopia announced in October 2019.

Weather and Environment business area’s January–June 2021 operating result increased compared to previous year following net sales growth and totaled EUR 0.1 (-1.7) million, 0.1 (-1.5) % of net sales.

January–June 2021 net sales were EUR 117.6 (109.3) million and increased by 8% compared to previous year. In constant currencies, net sales increased by 10%. Net sales grew in renewable energy and meteorology market segments and decreased in aviation and ground transportation market segments. In the comparison period, services net sales included discontinued assessment services provided for renewable energy customers and lease income.

Gross margin was at previous year’s level 49.0 (49.3) %. Other operating income and expenses included EUR 2.2 million expense due to valuation of contingent considerations related to acquired businesses based on updated financial plans for 2021. Comparison period included EUR 1.6 million cost related to discontinuation of assessment services provided to renewable energy segment.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic continued to impact aviation market segment and emerging markets during the first half of 2021. In other market segments global economic recovery has been stronger and faster than earlier expected. The recovery had a positive effect on second quarter demand particularly in APAC and Europe. Picked up demand was reflected especially in Industrial Measurements business area. However, it is difficult to estimate impact of the pandemic on financial results.

Following decrease in project orders, Vaisala started co-operation negotiations in Finland in its Project and Customer Services unit within Weather and Environment business area. As a result of the negotiations, nine positions were terminated. Redundancies were avoided as other positions were found within the company.

Shortage of components, caused by the pandemic, did not affect Vaisala’s delivery capability during the first half of 2021. Limited availability of components is expanding, and visibility to suppliers’ capacity is volatile.

Vaisala’s financial position and cash flow remained strong. Gearing was 6.9% at the end of June 2021. No material changes were identified in customers’ payment behavior and credit loss allowance did not materially change during the first half.

Changes in Management Group
Mari Heusala, Executive Vice President, HR and member of the Vaisala Management Group, decided to take on new challenges outside the company. Heusala continued in her position until the end of June 2021. After the reporting period, Timo Leskinen was appointed as Executive Vice President, Human Resources. He will start in this position on October 1, 2021.

On January 7, 2021, Olli Nastamo was appointed Executive Vice President, Operational Excellence. Olli Nastamo started in his position on March 1, 2021. He is a member of the Vaisala Management Group and reports to President and CEO Kai Öistämö.

Annual General Meeting 2021
Vaisala Corporation’s Annual General Meeting was held on March 30, 2021. The meeting approved the financial statements and discharged the members of the Board of Directors and the President and CEO from liability for the financial period January 1–December 31, 2020.

Dividend
The Annual General Meeting decided a dividend of EUR 0.61 per share. The record date for the dividend payment was April 1, 2021, and the payment date was April 12, 2021.

Board of Directors
The Annual General Meeting confirmed that the number of Board members is eight. Petri Castrén, Antti Jääskeläinen, Petra Lundström, Jukka Rinnevaara, Kaarina Ståhlberg, Tuomas Syrjänen, Raimo Voipio and Ville Voipio will continue as members of the Board of Directors.

The Annual General Meeting confirmed that that the annual remuneration payable to the Chairman of the Board of Directors is EUR 55,000 and each Board member EUR 40,000 per year. Approximately 40% of the annual remuneration will be paid in Vaisala Corporation’s series A shares acquired from the market and the rest in cash. In addition, the Annual General Meeting confirmed that the meeting fee for the Chairman of the Audit Committee would be EUR 1,500 per attended meeting and EUR 1,000 for each member of the Audit Committee and Chairman and each member of the Remuneration and HR Committee and any other committee established by the Board of Directors for a term until the close of the Annual General Meeting in 2022. The meeting fees are paid in cash. Possible travel expenses are proposed to be reimbursed according to the travel policy of the company.

Auditor
The Annual General Meeting re-elected Deloitte Oy as the auditor of the company and APA Reeta Virolainen will act as the auditor with the principal responsibility. The Auditors are reimbursed according to invoice presented to the company.

Authorization for the directed repurchase of own series A shares
The Annual General Meeting authorized the Board of Directors to resolve on the directed repurchase of a maximum of 500,000 of the company's own series A shares in one or more instalments by using company's unrestricted equity. The authorization is valid until the closing of the next Annual General Meeting, however, no longer than September 30, 2022.

Authorization on the issuance of the company's own series A shares
The Annual General Meeting authorized the Board of Directors to resolve on the issuance of a maximum of 835,794 company's own series A shares. The issuance of own shares may be carried out in deviation from the shareholders' pre-emptive rights (directed issue). The authorization entitles the issuance of treasury series A shares as a directed issue without payment as part of the company's share based incentive plan. The subscription price of the shares can instead of cash also be paid in full or in part as contribution in kind. The authorization is valid until September 30, 2022. The authorization for the company's incentive program shall however be valid until March 30, 2025.

The organizing meeting of the Board of Directors
At its organizing meeting held after the Annual General Meeting, the Board elected Ville Voipio as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Raimo Voipio as the Vice Chairman.

Kaarina Ståhlberg was elected as the Chairman and Petri Castrén, Antti Jääskeläinen and Raimo Voipio as members of the Audit Committee. Ville Voipio was elected as the Chairman and Petra Lundström, Jukka Rinnevaara and Tuomas Syrjänen as members of the Remuneration and HR Committee. The Chairman and all members of the Audit Committee as well as the Remuneration and HR Committee are independent both of the company and of significant shareholders.

Shares and shareholders
Share capital and shares
Vaisala’s share capital totaled EUR 7,660,808 on June 30, 2021. Vaisala has 36,436,728 shares, of which 6,731,092 are series K shares and 29,705,636 series A shares. The series K shares and series A shares are differentiated by the fact that each series K share entitles its owner to 20 votes at a General Meeting of Shareholders while each series A share entitles its owner to 1 vote. The series A shares represented 81.5% of the total number of shares and 18.1% of the total votes. The series K shares represented 18.5% of the total number of shares and 81.9% of the total votes.

Trading and share price development
In January–June 2021, a total of 1,639,008 series A shares with a value totaling EUR 56.5 million were traded on the Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. The closing price of the series A share on the Nasdaq Helsinki stock exchange was EUR 34.65. Shares registered a high of EUR 43.15 and a low of EUR 30.00. Volume-weighted average share price was EUR 34.43.

The market value of series A shares on June 30, 2021 was EUR 1,017.7 million, excluding company’s treasury shares. Valuing the series K shares – which are not traded on the stock market – at the rate of the series A share’s closing price on the last trading day of June, the total market value of all the series A and series K shares together was EUR 1,250.9 million, excluding company’s treasury shares.

Treasury shares
In March 2021, a total of 87,100 of treasury shares were conveyed without consideration to the 28 key employees who participated in the Share-based incentive plan 2018 under the terms and conditions of the plan. Of these shares, 4,000 were conveyed to the President and CEO Kai Öistämö and 13,850 to the previous President and CEO Kjell Forsén. In addition, 11,520 shares were conveyed to Kjell Forsén related to the Share-based incentive plan 2019–2021 and 2,764 shares related to the Share-based incentive plan 2020–2022 under the terms and conditions of the plans. This directed share issue was based on an authorization given by the Annual General Meeting held on June 3, 2020.

Following this directed share issue, the number of series A treasury shares on June 30, 2021 was 335,655, which represents 1.1% of series A shares and 0.9% of total shares.

Shareholders
At the end of June 2021, Vaisala had 11,841 (10,359) registered shareholders. Ownership outside of Finland and nominee registrations represented 19.1 (17.7) % of the company's shares. Households owned 40.6 (40.6) %, private companies 13.1 (13.3) %, financial and insurance institutions 13.2 (13.9) %, non-profit organizations 10.6 (10.9) % and public sector organizations 3.4 (3.7) % of the shares.

More information about Vaisala’s shares and shareholders are presented on the company’s website at vaisala.com/investors.

Near-term risks and uncertainties
COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on Vaisala’s business is depending on the duration and severity of this exceptional situation. Component shortage may cause delays or interruptions in deliveries. Vaisala’s delivery capability may deteriorate due to disruptions in suppliers’ operations, absence of own production employees or disruptions in incoming and/or outgoing logistics. Demand may fluctuate materially by country or market segment and customers’ recovery from the exceptional situation varies a lot. Effects of the pandemic on customers’ cash flow can be significant and lead to credit losses. Exceptional situation may also cause delays or interruptions in Vaisala’s operations, e.g. in project deliveries and R&D.

Uncertainties in international trade policies or political situation may reduce or delay demand for Vaisala’s products and services. Customers’ preference for local manufacturing may reduce demand for Vaisala’s products and services.

Obstacles related to market acceptance, sales channel development, or regulatory certification of new products and services may postpone realization of Vaisala’s growth and profitability targets. Customers’ budgetary constraints, complex decision-making processes, changes in scope, and financing arrangements may postpone closing of infrastructure contracts in Weather and Environment business area. Cyber risk and downtime of IT systems may impact operations and delivery of digital solutions.

Measures taken to mitigate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic
Employees
Ensuring employees’ wellbeing and their health and safety has been the most important focus area during the COVID-19 pandemic. To enforce containment actions and safe work environment for production workers, access to factories has been limited. Post-COVID-19 pandemic working practices have been planned with implementations starting in the third quarter 2021.

Customers
Remote customer meetings, electronic signatures, re-routing of shipments, remote acceptance testing and cooperation with local field service companies and their remote support are examples of measures, which have been taken to fulfill customer expectations.

Supplier relationships and cooperation
Strategic suppliers, which are critical to ongoing business operations, have been assessed for their business continuity and information reliability. Impacts of component shortages have been mitigated by close co-operation and delivery planning together with suppliers, purchases from spot market, and using variant components.

Communications
Vaisala has communicated regularly with multiple stakeholders: employees, customers, suppliers, and authorities to ensure continuity of core operations, including support and services for customers. Digital marketing efforts have been intensified to compensate for absence of conventional marketing events.

Liquidity
Vaisala’s financial position and liquidity have been assessed on regular basis.

Scenario planning
Vaisala has done scenario planning and contingency planning in order to make sound decisions in a highly volatile operating environment. Vaisala has identified risks related to delivery capability and demand outlook as well as diverse challenges emerging in the operating environment. Scenario plans and related assumptions have been continuously updated and followed up.

Further information about risk management and risks are available on Annual Report and on the company website at vaisala.com/investors.

Events after reporting period
On July 1, 2021, Timo Leskinen was appointed as Executive Vice President, Human Resources. He will be a member of the Vaisala Management Group and report to President and CEO Kai Öistämö. Leskinen will start in his position on October 1, 2021.

Financial calendar 2021
Capital Markets Day 2021, September 21, 2021
Interim Report January–September 2021, October 28, 2021

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