Knorr-Bremse suspends guidance for fiscal year 2020

Knorr-Bremse AG’s guidance for fiscal 2020, which the company published at its annual press conference on March 11, 2020, was made subject to the reservation that the spread of Covid-19 would have a limited impact. Over the past two weeks, the negative effects of the Covid-19 crisis have gained considerable importance, rendering numerous assumptions obsolete. Among other things, customers and suppliers in many parts of the world have carried out temporary plant closures. According to the current assessment of the Executive Board, it is therefore no longer possible to make a reliable estimate of the further course of business. The guidance for the fiscal year 2020 has thus been suspended. The Executive Board now expects a significant decrease of revenues and EBITDA compared to 2019.

Bernd Eulitz, CEO of Knorr-Bremse AG: „The spread of the Covid-19 and its effects on our business processes have gained considerable momentum in recent days. The protection of our employees and ensuring the ability to deliver have top priority for us. At the same time, we will use a consistent program of measures to keep the economic impact for Knorr-Bremse as low as possible, thus demonstrating the robustness of our business model. “

We are responding with an extensive program of measures to ensure the stability of the company in this challenging environment:
– In addition to the liquidity of more than EUR 1.8 billion available at the end of 2019 according to preliminary results, Knorr-Bremse will draw on additional credit lines of EUR 0.75 billion. The company is thus increasing its operational scope. At the end of 2019, the company had a net cash position of around EUR 320 million.
– In order to stabilize earnings, personnel and other measures are taken which build on the preparations in 2019:
• In order to be able to react on customer demand even at short notice, agreements with the works councils in Germany were signed to introduce short-time working at individual locations in Germany
• Comparable measures at the other European locations were agreed on
• A cost program with staff reduction measures in North- and South America was set up

A rapid recovery in China, where Knorr-Bremse´s plants have resumed 97 % of their operations, shows that with appropriate measures in other markets affected by Covid-19, delivery capacity can be quickly restored to a large extent after possible interruptions.

Despite the current challenges, Knorr-Bremse plans, subject to further developments, to maintain its dividend policy for the previous year (payout ratio of 40 to 50 % of consolidated net income for the year) following the good business performance in 2019 and due to the robust financial situation. The dividend proposal will be announced on April 21, 2020 after approval of the annual financial statements by the Supervisory Board.

DISCLAIMER
This publication has been independently prepared by Knorr-Bremse AG (“Knorr-Bremse”). It may contain forward-looking statements which address key issues such as strategy, future financial results, events, competitive positions and product developments. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, but not limited to, those described in Knorr-Bremse’s disclosures. Should one or more of these risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying expectations not occur or shall assumptions prove incorrect, the actual results, performances or achievements of Knorr-Bremse may vary materially from those described in the relevant forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “expect,” “want,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate,” “will,” “project” or words of similar meaning. Knorr-Bremse does not intend, nor does it assume any obligation, to update or revise its forward-looking statements regularly in light of developments which differ from those anticipated.

This publication may include – in the applicable financial reporting framework not clearly defined – supplemental financial measures that are or may be alternative performance measures (non-GAAP-measures). Knorr-Bremse’s net assets, financial position and results of operations should not be assessed solely on the basis of these alternative supplemental financial measures. Under no circumstances do they replace the performance indicators presented in the consolidated financial statements and calculated in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework. The calculation by other companies that report or describe similarly titled alternative performance measures may vary despite the use of the same or similar terminology.