AT&S invested EUR 122.1 million in additions to assets in Chongqing as of 31 December 2015. The set-up of the two new plants in Chongqing proceeded according to schedule in the first nine months. The phase of qualification of the IC Substrates plant (determination of all parameters under serial production conditions) is completed. The certification, announced for beginning of 2016, by the initial customer is currently in the final phase with last tests for fine adjustments of single parameters. Certification is shortly expected. This milestone is the prerequisite for the gradual start-up of the first production line for IC substrates. IC substrates are produced at this plant as a connection between chips and printed circuit boards for applications such as notebooks and PCs. The expected impact related to the ramp-up of this plant will become effective starting in the fourth quarter (01 Jan – 31 Mar 2016) of the AT&S financial year and has been taken into account in the guidance for the financial year 2015/16. Infrastructure for the second plant which will produce substrate-like PCBs starting second half 2016, is being completed.
Outlook for the financial year 2015/16 confirmed Management expects the satisfactory capacity utilisation to continue for the financial year 2015/16 provided that the macroeconomic environment remains stable and customer demand continues at a good level. On the basis of the organic growth in the first nine months, and expected seasonality in the next three months, management confirms its revenue guidance of EUR 740 million. Influenced by the expected costs of the start-up of the new plants in Chongqing, the EBITDA margin should exceed 19% (guidance at the beginning of the financial year: 18-20%). This includes an EBITDA margin in the core business at a similar level of the previous year.
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