Sartorius Ag Pfd - SUVPF STOCK NEWS

The Supervisory Board of Sartorius AG has proposed a dividend of 1.26 euros per preference share and 1.25 euros per ordinary share, totaling 85.9 million euros to be distributed. This represents an increase from the previous year's dividends of 0.71 euros and 0.70 euros respectively. The proposal will be discussed at the Annual General Shareholders' Meeting scheduled for March 25, 2022. Additionally, the Board recommended candidates for re-election, including David Raymond Ebsworth and Daniela Favoccia, while nominating Frank Riemensperger for election.

Sartorius closed fiscal 2021 with remarkable growth driven by pandemic-related demand and acquisitions, achieving a sales revenue of approximately 3,449 million euros, a 49.3% increase in constant currencies. Order intake surged 52.3% to 4,268 million euros. Underlying EBITDA rose by 69.7% to 1,175 million euros, with a margin of 34.1%. For 2022, Sartorius anticipates double-digit revenue growth, projecting sales between 14% and 18%, while maintaining a high EBITDA margin. The company emphasizes investments in capacity expansion and CO₂ reduction initiatives.

Sartorius is investing approximately 270 million euros (around 300 million USD) to expand its operations in South Korea by 2024. This includes the establishment of cell culture media production and sterile system assembly in Songdo, Incheon. The investment aims to enhance delivery speed and capacity in response to the growing biopharmaceutical industry in the region. Construction will span 25,000 square meters with facilities for manufacturing and logistics, creating around 750 new jobs. Operations are expected to start by the end of 2024.

Sartorius reported strong growth for the nine months ending September 2021, with sales revenue rising by 53.9% to approximately 2,527 million euros. The company benefitted from high demand in biopharmaceutical development and production, alongside contributions from coronavirus vaccine-related activities. Order intake surged by 72.3% to 3,286 million euros. Underlying EBITDA increased by 77.3% to 866 million euros, with a margin of 34.3%. Sartorius also confirmed its optimistic growth forecast for the full year, projecting a 45% increase in sales.

Karin Sartorius-Herbst and LifeScience Holding SCSp (LSH) have entered option agreements to acquire approximately 56.7% of the shares of the Horst Sartorius community of heirs. This acquisition affects 50.09% of the ordinary shares of Sartorius AG. The transaction is subject to common conditions and approvals, expected to close by the end of 2021. Notably, this change in ownership will not impact Sartorius AG's strategic direction or management. The press release includes forward-looking statements with disclaimers regarding potential risks and uncertainties.

Sartorius is expanding its operations in Michigan by opening a new 130,000-square-foot plant in Ann Arbor by late 2023. This facility will consolidate existing operations and serve as a center for Laboratory and Bioprocess Products and Services in North America. The expansion will create 160 jobs over three years and positions Sartorius to meet the increasing demand for biopharmaceutical technologies. Additionally, the company plans to double its capacities for key product groups by 2025, further enhancing its presence in the Ann Arbor biotech hub.

Sartorius has expanded its Application and Service Hub in Zhangjiang Science City, Shanghai, to enhance support for the growing biopharmaceutical market in China. Covering over 3,000 square meters, the facility includes a new Application Center 3.0 and Confidence® Validation Services Laboratory 2.0. This investment, aimed at meeting local demand, introduces innovations in drug discovery and process development. Key features include a doubling of validation capacity and the introduction of new testing capabilities. Sartorius plans to continue expanding its local presence and services, employing over 700 staff in China.

Sartorius, through Sartorius Stedim Biotech, has acquired cell culture specialist Xell AG for around 50 million euros, plus earn-out components based on revenue targets from 2022 to 2025. Xell AG, headquartered in Bielefeld, Germany, focuses on media and feed supplements for cell cultures, particularly in gene therapeutics and vaccines, with an expected revenue of 5 million euros in 2021. The acquisition aims to enhance Sartorius's media offerings and accelerate production network expansion in a rapidly growing sector.

Sartorius reported strong growth in the first half of 2021, with sales revenue increasing by 60.1% to approximately 1,629 million euros. Order intake surged by 82.4% to 2,179 million euros. The company benefited from high demand for biopharmaceutical technologies, driven partly by the pandemic. Underlying EBITDA rose 89.2% to 555 million euros, resulting in a margin of 34.1%. Sartorius raised its full-year sales growth forecast to around 45% and anticipates continued strong performance across all divisions.