Montana Aerospace AG (SWX:AERO)
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Earnings Call: Q3 2023

Nov 14, 2023

Michael Pistauer
Co-CEO and CFO, Montana Aerospace

A warm welcome from my side, Michael Pistauer speaking. I guide you through today's presentation and then to the follow-up Q&A. With, I guess, very solid numbers and some great news for Montana Aerospace. Before really jumping into the numbers, let me start with a very, I would say, unusual slide. It shows a quote from a well-known magazine in aerospace, and they performed a review of the most crucial 100, more than 100 companies in aerospace. Within those peers, we were listed and seen as the leading company concerning sales growth. We're extremely proud on that point, even so it's for us, only the first step. We want also to lead, not only in the top ranking concerning sales growth, but also concerning earnings and income, something to follow up in the next years.

But we think that it's mostly the logical consequence out of a very clear positioning and the tailwind we have out of it. This positioning is mostly based on all the different segments on a very clear setup, I would say. In aerospace, we are seen as mission-critical supplier for aerostructures, so the skeleton of the planes, as I always claim. Here with a setup which is at least special, if not unique, concerning covering the full vertical integration out of a local-to-local structure, but still on a global scale. Very high independent from other suppliers with this vertical integration setup, and most of it built up in so-called best-cost manufacturing footprint countries and therefore, highly competitive. In mobility, with this very early concentration on empowering the lightweight structures for the mobility revolution or e-mobility transition.

Building here, the battery packs and the surrounding equipment out of lightweight material, which is still, I would say, even if other areas of mobility have volatile times, growing steadily. And in energy, we are seen to be a world-leading developer and producer of the copper cores for the energy transition within the fields of generation and also transmission, and also transporting. And this strategy is not only the basis for the sales growth we have seen in this quote of this magazine, but also, I would say, the basis for the win of contracts. And in this regard, I would like to flip on this page and see what was the development in the last two years since the IPO, concerning the so-called contracted sales.

So the basis of, let me say, the worth of all the contracts in place for the next periods to come in aerostructures, so only for this segment. And here you see that it grew from EUR 3.9 billion to right now, around EUR 7.5 billion worth of it. Therefore, giving us a high confidence, also, not only in our guidance, but also in the utilization of our capacities, and therefore, also, a good, I would say, basis for the guidance of our earnings and EBITDA development for the next years to come. And this is still based on, I'm sure there will be some questions later on, on a few of build rates by the large OEMs, which is out of our view, a bit more conservative, reduced.

So therefore, still some room upwards, also in the future, if the build rates exceed our expectations. One of the major milestones, and this is something to really stress in my point of view, is that we have, there was a statement on last Friday in our talk, we have concluded, I would say, the refinancing of the Montana Aerospace. Why is it a milestone? Because out of the past, pre-IPO, we had a large part of our financing based on so-called promissory notes, and those promissory notes still had some covenant criteria of other companies of the Alu Menziken Group within, were embedded, and therefore, some dependencies for the Montana Aerospace.

With the new financing in place, we not only reduce the balance sheet sum by a good amount of around EUR 200 million, therefore, increase equity position in percentage, but also, I would say, the cash and debt, cross that level. But completely, I would say, weighed out of the dependencies of other companies, therefore, can concentrate on Montana Aerospace and the development for the future. So we can claim that's another big, I would say, milestone after the IPO, the growth and ramp up, and now I would say the refinancing for further growth in the future. Jumping to the numbers for the third quarter, and therefore, I would say first nine months of 2023, again, solid.

So we see a strong growth in aerostructures, over two years, more than 150% in comparison to last year's first nine months, around +15%. Please note that, we sold some entity at the end of the year, so on a like-to-like basis, the growth would be even higher. Energy already at the, I would say, edging to capacity constraints, with, again, some growth to a volume of over EUR 418 million in total sales for the first nine months. Another 19% growth in comparison to last year, and with the clear, clear goal to set up for the future new capacities to grow into the direction, which is empowered by the energy change and the energy transition worldwide. e-mobility, yes, we see a growth in comparison to the last two years.

In comparison to last year's, there is a decent reduction in sales. What was the background of it? You will later see that in EBITDA, there was not an impact. On the contrary, EBITDA grew, but in e-mobility, we do also set up a large value chain, starting with the recycling of scrap, making the necessary aluminum billets, which is then needed for the extrusion and the further value streams. And this recycled material, we also use and sell to third-party customers. But to be fair, in the last nine months, we have seen that this market more or less was halted or came to a complete halt, as the demand from third-party customers is extremely low, so big market in aluminum.

And on the other hand, a lot of so-called gray imports were ever out of, I don't know, but Russia, Iran, or other countries over Turkey to Europe, and therefore, this business was more or less not existent. Which led us to concentrate on our legacy business, which is e-mobility, and here we not only almost compensated in sales, the loss of this other recycling business, but as you will see, also even strengthened them later in the EBITDA. Coming to the overview of the P&L and some balance sheet KPIs. Yes, a total growth of 13%, but what, what is more important is, and this is reflected in the numbers below, is the overproportional growth in EBITDA.

Here we not yet doubled, but I would say in a good direction of it, the EBITDA, in comparison to last year's, from EUR 55 million to EUR 93.6 million in the first nine months, 2023, which is more than 69% in growth. Or in different terms, on a quarterly basis, we now are at the level of around 9% EBITDA margin. If you look at the standalone basis of Q3 only, already we are above 10%. That's more or less what reflects our strategy to grow over proportionately concerning earnings, EBITDA, in comparison to sales. CapEx, declining, as follows the strategy. Large CapEx projects in aerostructures are finished, and therefore, it's going back more or less to, I would say, sustainable capital in aerostructures.

And this is pushing positively also, which you see then later on, on the free cash flow. With a high capacity still installed, there's enough room for the next years to develop. Trade working capital, if you recall the third quarter 2022 presentation, we announced those days that in 2022, with EUR 503.7 million trade working capital, this is the peak, and it's going to decline steadily. As you might remember, we had, by purpose, throughout the crisis of supply chain and delivery issue worldwide, an excess stock and inventory, mostly on raw materials, in place to never fall into a shortcut. But now, in the last months.

The trade working capital is constantly streamlined into the direction of, I would say, a normal base, and this follow is something to follow up and will be reflected also, not only now, with 500, EUR 381 million trade working capital at a much lower level, but also to continue in the next quarters to come. I said total assets, not much change, with an addition that we will see in the fourth quarter, a reduction of the balance sheet, total asset, sum of around good portion, over EUR 200 million, which is then reflecting the refinancing and the repayment of the promissory notes, and I said before. Looking at the segments, we talked about sales. What was the impact on EBITDA? As announced, e-mobility weaker in sales due to the recycling business, which was not existent.

Concentration on the legacy business, which is the e-mobility, and an overcompensation in EBITDA, which we are very proud of, from EUR 12.7 million - EUR 23 million, or more or less, +81% growth in comparison to last year. A very solid growth in aerostructures, which is something to follow up also in the future concerning this growth plan from EUR 36 million -EUR 56 million in this year. And energy, again, I would say from EUR 10 million - EUR 18.7 million, a growth in comparison to last year, which is more or less reflecting the strong tailwind from the market and the positive need for our products within this energy transition worldwide. Other KPIs, and this is one of the most crucial for us, I would say always, which we concentrate very intensively on, is the cash flow.

Starting with the operating cash flow, which is reflecting, as announced, after Q2, which was positive, also Q3, a positive operating cash flow. Please, once again, note that Q4 and Q1, Q4 2022, and Q1 2023, have to be seen together as we have, I would say, had some extraordinary actions and measurements last year out of the result of the financing issues, which then had the negative impact in 2023. But seen together, I would say, a positive development over the year and something to follow up also in the next quarters to come. And the same with free cash flow, with reduced CapEx spending and higher operating cash flow, a positive development, and we still target a positive free cash flow for the full year 2023, due to this development.

Trade working capital, I would say, it's the, I would say, a large amount, but I would say it's the basis of our independency with the full value chain, which we have. On the other hand, we have to digest a bit longer cycle times concerning the turn of, inventory and therefore, also trade working capital. But still here, after the peak in 503 in September 2022, a constant reduction, which is also going to be followed up in the future. Net income, unadjusted. On an, adjusted level, it would be already different. Still slightly negative also in the Q3 2023.

On an adjusted level, with this, I would say, non-cash elements, which we still have in our P&L out of the share program, it would have been already slightly positive, and still here we have the target to, if we show a positive net income by year's end, bit depending on the FX development, which I come then in, in detail a bit later on. So all in all, I would say, a constant development concerning sales, adjusted EBITDA, and results of the period. In the results of the period, there is a huge amount of, I would say, negative financial result. On the one hand, resulting out of the interest of this gross debt we had, which a good portion is paid back right now with the refinancing in place.

On the other hand, around a third of it is non-cash impact out of FX issues, out of the balance sheet, and therefore, we have, I would say, new financing in place and a stable, constant, hopefully development, more stable development concerning FX. This positive result is still something to be reached by 2023, and the years afterwards, in any case. For us, crucial KPIs are the production performance. Why? Because it reflects. I would say the underlying KPI for the sales and the future and the usage of our efficiency, production performance grew.

On the other hand, under proportional was the development of the personnel expenses, which we are quite proud of it, because with all the inflationary costs in place, you will see later in the FTE, we reduced FTE and decreased, therefore, the efficiency in this under proportional development of personnel expenses to production. Performance on net sales is driving then, therefore, our also development of EBITDA. The same like with other operating expenses and income, which was even reduced in absolute terms in comparison to last year. Therefore, reflects, I would say, not only a positive impact for the economies of scale, but definitely a positive impact to the EBITDA and earnings. We talked about trade working capital, reduction of around a quarter in comparison to last year's amount.

Still not yet everywhere in shape as what we target at, but on a good development. Balance sheet structure, solid, with the equity ratio of a bit more than 40%, to be increased by the fact that the refinancing also will bring a reduction of the balance sheet, total assets of around EUR 200 million, a bit more than EUR 200 million. With a stable equity then, in absolute terms, will reflect in a higher percentage of equity in comparison to the total assets. This development of operating cash flow, free cash flow in CapEx, was not only guided, but is something, I guess, which is our strategic development. We built up in the past years, capacity based on high contracted sales and orders for the future.

No matter how much and fast this build rates then will develop, we will fill them with less need for CapEx, constantly CapEx, reducing it more and more, depending on the segments on the sustainable capital. Higher EBITDA, and therefore, free cash flow is as a consequence than improving, and by year's end, hopefully, the first time for a full year, positive. On a quarterly basis, as said, it was positive. Coming to other KPIs of the balance sheet, net debt, even so here, it's reflected on this slide as a starting point, the end of the year, with all those actions in place, which we put in place last year. I would like to compare it to nine months, 2022 numbers, which were those level at a net debt value of EUR 468.8 million.

So from this starting point, we reduced net debt by more than EUR 100 million in the last 12 months. A tendency which is also supposed to continue. We talked about equity and also about the number of employees, which in absolute terms, were slightly reduced, reflecting the higher efficiency we get out of our, I would say, total numbers. With higher sales in place, I guess, a positive development concerning efficiency. These are in, let's say, short slides, the numbers for the first nine months, 2023. We stick to our guidance with over EUR 1.5 billion in total sales for 2023. Adjusted EBITDA of EUR 130 million-EUR 150 million.

Positive free cash flow and hopefully a positive net income, a bit depending on the FX development as we have still in the balance sheet, but then in the PNL, all the impacts out of non-cash impacts out of the FX, but that's if it's stable, we should achieve that. And a very clear guidance also for 2024 with over EUR 1.7 billion on total sales, an EBITDA of around EUR 180 million-EUR 200 million, a high positive free cash flow, positive net income, and again, a streamlined working capital in comparison to what we have right now in 2024. That's it from my side, and I'm happy to follow up with the Q&A session. Shortly summarize, once again, I would say a milestone concerning the financing, which we are extremely happy about it.

In the other terms, besides the recycling of e-mobility, but in all other areas, a very solid development. In comparison to, I guess, many peers, a very solid development, and which is then also reflected in the contracted sales and the other KPIs. With that one, I would hand over to the moderator for the Q&A session.

Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, at this time, we will begin the Q&A session. Anyone who wishes to ask a question may press star, followed by one on their touchtone telephone. If you wish to remove yourself from the question queue, you may press star, followed by two. If you're using speaker equipment today, please lift the handset before making your selection. Anyone who has a question may press star, followed by one at this time. One moment for the first question, please. And the first question comes from Phil Buller from Berenberg. Please go ahead.

Phil Buller
Head of Global Industrials Equity Research, Berenberg

Oh, hi there. Thank you. Good afternoon, Michael, and congratulations on the results and the remedy of the financial ties issue. I have a few questions, if I may, to start with a kind of near-term one. But on the revenue side of things, it looks like there's quite a lot to do in Q4 to meet the guide. So can you share where the biggest or smallest contributors to that Q4 are coming from divisionally, please? Thanks. That's question one.

Michael Pistauer
Co-CEO and CFO, Montana Aerospace

I'm happy to do though, so, you saw that in Q3, in comparison to aerostructures, in aerostructures only to Q2, it was more or less a stable sales development. It could have been much bigger, to be fair, in terms of growth. What restricted us, it was mainly some supply chain issues still with ASCO. Some parts were missing, and those parts then finally received all the deliveries, but the main deliveries were done then in October. So there is an impact, which is out of, I would say, shift of terms. The same happened, by the way, also in energy. In this case, we simply were not able to ship everything we produced, so there's also the large impact, which was shifted to the fourth quarter. And yes, you're right.

All the other areas, aerostructures, all segments, also e-mobility, and mainly also energy, will show us the strongest months from October, November, and partly also December. And therefore, we still expect to, to reach this, more than EUR 1.5 billion in total sales for this year. So, talking about guidance, which means then a bit more than EUR 800 million on aerostructures. I would say slightly less than EUR 200 million in e-mobility and around EUR 350million-EUR 550 million for energy for the full year.

Phil Buller
Head of Global Industrials Equity Research, Berenberg

Got it. Thank you. And then, slightly longer term, there's a reference to a 2027 segment strategy in the documents. I don't—I know you don't guide beyond 2024. It's nice to see a 2024 guide. But I was wondering if you could comment on what you see as the most exciting thing to be thinking about between 2024 and 2027. It feels like the revenue growth opportunity is pretty exciting from a build rate in aerostructures standpoint, but how do you think about margin expansion in that period of 2024 to 2027? Is that something we should be thinking about as well, or is it more of a revenue story in that period?

Michael Pistauer
Co-CEO and CFO, Montana Aerospace

It's more the margin level than the revenue. I have to differentiate between the segments and, if you allow, I break down, I would say, the strategy on the three segments and also give you some guidance here. So I start with the smallest one. In e-mobility, I always say that we have a full, full capacity installed of around EUR 220 million. With the weakness of this, I would say, recycling business, this is not yet reached, but somewhere in the next years to reach, but that's it. Yeah, there's not much more. It's mostly the concentration on EBITDA. In energy, there's this huge market demand.

We have a capacity maximum of around EUR 600 million right now installed, reached by ± next year, with further capacity, which we usefully think that it should be invested. We need some investments. So here we guide for the mid-term basis based on some decent but still very, I would say, creative investments on energy business to EUR 1 billion on total sales already before the end of this decade. Yeah.

I guess no discussion about it. This is a tail storm still, with the project already in place or unfrozen by utility companies, states and whatever. I would say, even though so not everything is in the books yet, most of it is already covered by those, I would say, projects. Aerostructures, slightly different. Total capacity for aerostructures as per now, I would say around EUR 1.3 billion, maybe slightly more, up to EUR 1.4 billion, depend a bit on also the exact shades then, here.

So quite some room left to fill those capacities, but be aware that with the contracted sales we have in place, and no matter how, I would say, the development of the build rates are, in any case, the build rates rise or grow, the capacities are full by 2025, ±. And this means then from then on, we need some more, very, I would say, streamlined, the capacity increased CapEx, but here you can have as a guideline, around EUR 40 million CapEx for around EUR 200 million on total sales. As the only, the housing is there, the infrastructure is there. It's only then for certain machines which you add here or there, to unfreeze some gaps there. What you can expect in aerostructures mostly is the continuous development of EBITDA.

Are over proportional in comparison to the sales. Here we see, in those areas where we have a good utilization already of our capacity, we have good portion, over 20% EBITDA margins. And that those where still is some room to fill or ramp up of new products are running and started. Of course, those margins are much lower, therefore, the blended numbers are still not yet there. But it's mostly the development of the EBITDA, which is driving the over proportional EBITDA, which is driving in the next years to come.

Phil Buller
Head of Global Industrials Equity Research, Berenberg

Okay, understood. That's, that's very helpful. And then just finally, on the topic of the balance sheet, now that the financial ties have been addressed, how are we thinking now in terms of M&A going forward, in 2024? Is that, is that less likely, more likely, I guess? And, and also, how are you thinking about the potential for a spin of ASTA, please? Thanks.

Michael Pistauer
Co-CEO and CFO, Montana Aerospace

I don't know. I'm sure you're familiar with the refinancing structure for us, but I want to maybe start once upfront before answering the question. What is the impact? We have in the balance sheet as per September 2023, over EUR 300 million on cash, yeah? On the one hand side, and on the other hand, still those promissory notes, on the other hand, there's debt. What happens is, we pay them back, these promissory notes, and therefore cut the ties, to, I would say, this old sister companies, Varta, MTC or whatever, and therefore have our own, I would say, ring-fenced financing structure within. And this also leads to, a reduced balance sheet sum. This is the first step, first on, and also in strengthening of our equity.

Of course, we have an internal guidance, which—what we don't want to exceed—which is still to continue net debt by good cash flow. And also reach earn out with the payout ratio. So, our intention is to propose, as a management, then to the shareholders and the board and everybody, a dividend when we have the possibility to, and only with, I would say, a third to half of it, for strategic investments out of the cash flow. And this is then, next year would allow, again, already, some smart M&A. We are also in discussion of that, but upfront, only with own cash.

Phil Buller
Head of Global Industrials Equity Research, Berenberg

Understood. Thank you. And then ASTA?

Michael Pistauer
Co-CEO and CFO, Montana Aerospace

As to, yeah, we've prepared everything for a potential path for the IPO.

But the general investment environment is not as solid accepting right now, new IPOs, and even so if they are mid-sized. So let's see how it is. We have a clear plan, however, in case not, how to follow our plan. Also, with the help of, I would say, financing of some customers, who need also this capacities. So we will follow this plan, this case or that case, if it's been ending up in a IPO, let's see, next year.

Phil Buller
Head of Global Industrials Equity Research, Berenberg

Got it. Thank you very much.

Operator

The next question comes from Virginia Montorsi, from Bank of America. Please go ahead.

Virginia Montorsi
Equity Research Associate, Bank of America

Good afternoon, and thank you for taking my question. I just had a quick one, maybe very boring one, on the debt financing structure. When you talk about the combination of the new syndicated loan and the cash usage, usage for up to EUR 200 million for the repayment of the existing debt, can you elaborate a little bit more on the cash usage? Is it already cash you already had before? Is it something related to the repayment of the promissory notes? Just, can you walk us through the process of the process of how this exactly works? Thank you.

Michael Pistauer
Co-CEO and CFO, Montana Aerospace

Yeah. And Virginia, upfront, it's not boring. Yeah, hopefully, at least not for me. Because this question was, I would say, taking a lot of my attention for the last nine months or even longer. Yes, we pay back around EUR 450 million of promissory notes, and, I would say gross debt, which we have in the balance sheet. Yeah. And therefore, we have right now EUR 310 million, by the end of September, cash in our hands, with the new financing, plus the EUR 300 million we get out of the financing, let's say, assume it's EUR 600 million. So minus EUR 450 million, still a EUR 150 million, plus minus cash, is still, EUR 100 million-EUR 150 million cash is still at, our balance sheet.

But, it's more or less swapped against the promissory notes by part, and part against the cash. Does this answer your question, or shall I try to elaborate once again?

Virginia Montorsi
Equity Research Associate, Bank of America

I know, this is very clear. Thank you very much.

Michael Pistauer
Co-CEO and CFO, Montana Aerospace

Then additionally, maybe only to add, Virginia, we have above this, I would say, EUR 300 million in cash out of the new financing. Also, revolving credit facility of up to EUR 150 million, so it should be sufficient for the next years to come, to develop.

Virginia Montorsi
Equity Research Associate, Bank of America

Okay, that's very clear. Thank you.

Operator

The next question comes from Aymeric Poulain, from Kepler Cheuvreux. Please go ahead.

Aymeric Poulain
Senior Research Analyst, Kepler Cheuvreux

Yes, good afternoon. Thank you for taking my questions. Two, if I may. The first is free cash flow. Do you have a guidance for this year and looking at next year's? EBITDA projection, should we assume effectively a free cash flow growing in line with the incremental EBITDA in 2024? That's the first question. Second question is on the aerospace performance. It's obviously been very volatile on a quarter-to-quarter basis, and airline aircraft makers are also very much trying now to help a bit more the aerostructure sector. We saw Boeing putting some extra cash into Spirit, for example.

Did you expect some negotiation, pricing negotiation to take place this quarter? And if so, what kind of pricing benefit should we assume for aerospace this quarter and in the coming year?

Michael Pistauer
Co-CEO and CFO, Montana Aerospace

Hi, Aymeric, thank you. I will try to answer them in order you place them. The question, free cash flow for this year, a positive one. There's a positive development on certain, as I said, trade working capital, steadily reduced. CapEx is mostly done for this year, so therefore, a positive is a higher EBITDA for the fourth quarter to await the positive also development on the operating and also on the free cash flow. And therefore, it should work out to have a positive, slightly positive, I would say, free cash flow by the full year, 2023. This is for the guidance, 2023. For 2024, slightly over proportional development of the free cash flow in comparison to EBITDA growth. I tell you why. Again, here, in comparison to the growth of EBITDA, reduction of the trade working capital.

We do have a very good structure of the trade working capital already back again in energy and e-mobility. Aerostructures, I would say, is longer cycles. We achieved, I would say, major issues here, also concerning our, I would say, internal, internal lead times, with the suppliers, with the customers, and the impacts have been shown by 2024, and therefore, this should also reflect in the positive free cash flow out of it. Therefore, slightly over proportionate development on free cash flow in comparison to over EBITDA, it grows in 2024. You're right, there are heavy negotiations, but out of different reasons. Yeah, with, I would say in aerospace in general, you named Spirit.

I guess it was kind of a call for urgency, which Spirit placed, and it was well heard by Boeing. I would say also by Airbus, but mostly by Boeing. Of course, such an impact is positive for us because it relieves a lot of stress in negotiation also for us with Spirit or Boeing and whatever. But however, we are seen as, I would say, a more stable partner than many others, and therefore we are mostly supported by getting very attractive packages. Because they see that other peers are only with the help of the large aerospace companies, solving their issues concerning deliveries, and with us it's going more smoothly, therefore, we mostly are accretive of welcome, concerning receiving good orders out of, I would say, this the sales development.

Yes, there are some negotiations. I guess most negotiations were done already last year, concerning, I would say, the, the escalation costs and the, the adaptation of contracts in case of, for instance, high, increased, costs of labor or whatever energy we had, for instance, last year, and they're still in place. So I would say the results are already, of course, showing them the impact quarter by quarter right now. New, new contracts on, on price terms is not in the focus for us. For us, it's mostly, concerning, delivery and, really ramping up this many, many contracts we have, and therefore, supporting heavily our customers with not falling short to their customers or to their build rates, which they announced, like Boeing and Airbus.

Aymeric Poulain
Senior Research Analyst, Kepler Cheuvreux

Great. Thank you very much.

Operator

The next question comes from Beltrán Palazuelo. Please go ahead.

Beltrán Palazuelo
Fund Manager, Dux Inversores

Hello, good afternoon, Marc, Michael. It's a pleasure to speak to you both, and congratulations for executing on what you previously said. I have five questions, if I may. First of all, it's on the e-mobility strong margin of the first quarter. Maybe if you could give us a little bit more color. I have four questions more. I don't know if you want me to say them now, or shall we go one by one?

Michael Pistauer
Co-CEO and CFO, Montana Aerospace

We're happy to have a follow-up, then later on. There's no problem. However you want. It's your choice.

Beltrán Palazuelo
Fund Manager, Dux Inversores

Okay. And then on the, let's say, on seeing exactly in your guidance on 2024, it's good to see more or less, let's say, every EUR 200 more of revenue, you get around EUR 50 more of EBITDA. So exactly hearing where your full capacity is, it looks like at least EUR 300 million more in, let's say, on revenue. So more or less, without more CapEx, what would be, let's say, your, your EBITDA, let's say, if you reach full capacity in 2025? That would be my second question. Then if you could give us a little bit more color in the, in the cost of debt. I don't think you, you gave, let's say, a spread over the Euribor or whatever.

Then, I think you talked about M&A, clearly when your balance sheet is under two times ending 2023. So exactly what type of assets would you like? And then, another question, in the past, you used your shares as, let's say, an M&A, well, payment. What level of, let's say, valuation of shares, would that option be on the table again? And my last question is around competitors, not only Spirit. If you could give, let's say, a little color on how are your competitors, let's say, how do you see the competitive landscape? Thank you very much.

Michael Pistauer
Co-CEO and CFO, Montana Aerospace

Pedro, thank you. I hope, I hope I got all the questions because I made some notes, and I'm not writing as fast, but yeah, I try. First of all, concerning, I would say, this, the development of the margins, in mobility. Yes, we have seen a very strong quarter in the third quarter. We had weaker quarters, first and second. What was the impact out of in the third quarter? It's mostly that we have, I would say, we call it claim and change management, and also this escalation costs, which are then invoiced on an unregular basis. So it's more or less something you have to, I would say, spread on the total year at the end, this impact of around EUR 10 million, which happened in the third quarter, for the rest of the year.

This happens if, for instance, customers want contracts faster than they ordered or more than what they ordered, or changes, if late changes or if I said, some escalation issues, which then are not instantly invoiced, but I would say, in an irregular basis, invoiced. And they impacted heavily, I would say, this September. On the other hand, also negatively, I would say, because costs were higher and not everything invoiced immediately than in the first and the second. So please take around EUR 10 million out of the mobility EBITDA, and spread it on, I would say, the full year, which is a good basis, I guess, for evaluation.

Concerning the spread on the EUR 200 million more on 2024, which gives around EUR 50 million or more EBITDA. So the full EBITDA capacity would be around, I would say, EUR 300 million. Yeah, above EUR 300 million, around, I would say, EUR 300 million. And this is for the full business as it is. Of course, what we don't know is certain developments of the market, so I would say around this level. This is quite some good portion, which means around, I would say, 20% on aerostructures, bit above. Around, I would say 13%-15%, or 12%-14% in e-mobility, and between 8%-9% in energy.

Yeah, this is what to be reached without additional CapEx and growth out of it. But of course, we want also to expand it by smart CapEx on that point. Cost of debt, a good question. Of course, the syndicated loan or the term loan is, in absolute terms on the euro amount, not a cheap one. I guess we didn't announce it yet, but it's in the range of, it's much lower, I would say, than the other one, which we announced in the US or something else. In any case, we guide for, without, if it issues out of the balance sheet for, a cost of capital finance result of around, I would say, EUR 20 million-EUR 30 million by 2024.

Yeah, on the basis of the present interest rates, if of course, they change a bit, it would be adapted either downwards or upwards. I personally think that we have seen, hopefully, the peak of the interest rates, and therefore, should be at the level of around EUR 30 million by 2024 for the financial result out of interests. M&A, under 2x net debt, EBITDA. Yes, what type of asset would we look at? We look at, so not only would, but we do. Something which is, very clear, fitting to our, I would say, to competence. I repeat once again, what already announced, I guess, the last times. So it's more in the direction of material, I would say.

So strengthening our, I would say, footprint even there, even so we are already very, very strong in these areas. And there is a, I would say, some targets we look at and discuss, but I said, without stressing our net debt, EBITDA and only with own cash flow. So therefore, valuation must be very accretive for us, from the first day on. The last question, I would say, the shares of M&A payment. I, I will not answer, if you allow. So I will concentrate on the last question, which was: How do I see the competitive landscape? You have definitely to distinguish between the segments. E-mobility is extremely fragmented market, so here the, the market is, in the moment, the industry itself, aluminum market is horrible to be, say.

We do have very strong customer relations and some expertise others are not so easily coping with, and therefore it's okay, but still, I would say it's very competitive in in mobility. The good part is that we have good long-term relationships and contracts, which is helping us to come through, I would say, certain uncertainties of the market. Energy, different. It's almost oligopolistic market in what we are acting here. There are very few companies able to build on a good quality, not even the highest, but even a good quality. This copper cores for generators, transformers, and transmission. This so-called CTC, this not round, but flat and with the necessary insulation. So therefore, the competitive landscape is extremely easy, I would say, to name, because it's not even a handful.

We know them very well, and here we have a very strong market position, but you have to work constantly on it. So I would say here, very good basis. Aerostructures, here, our prognosis was always that there is a shift, from this, I would say, aerostructures. We talk about aerostructures in case of, I would say, the frame and a wing aerostructures, mainly, and all electronics or whatever, that we always announce there will be a constant shift to more best-cost manufacturing footprint countries, more vertically integrated, in more independent from other suppliers. Companies away a bit from this, I would say, previous, companies which are only placed in Germany, France, U.K., you name it, in this high-cost countries, and this is continuing.

So for instance, like also Turkish suppliers are pushing into this market more and more, or one in the other time, Indian popping out again. And of course, trying also the, I would say, large guys in this field also try their strategy to align concerning this development and find some other places also to produce. But for us, it's not the question of, I guess our competitive advantages are so high that in the moment we are in a good situation, that we can be extremely selective concerning the contracts. That's what we want to continue, at least for the next years to come. For the M&A, please note only, it's all I want to say, if we do an M&A, only out of free cash flow, not with stock.

Beltrán Palazuelo
Fund Manager, Dux Inversores

Great. Thank you very much, and all the support, from my side.

Michael Pistauer
Co-CEO and CFO, Montana Aerospace

Thank you.

Operator

As a reminder, anyone who wishes to ask a question may press star followed by one at this time. We do have a follow-up question from Phil Buller, from Berenberg. Please go ahead.

Phil Buller
Head of Global Industrials Equity Research, Berenberg

Hi, thanks for letting me back in the queue, and thanks also for answering all the questions. Very helpful. I just wanted to follow up on aerospace and the outlook there. I appreciate that we are talking about taking a more conservative view on build rates than the OEMs, but just to try and understand a bit better where we are today and where we could be going in the future for your own aerostructures business. So I was hoping if you could comment on which of the platforms on your slide four are the most important ones today from a current revenue standpoint, and what rates you are currently delivering on those ones on average, let's say, for the last quarter.

From there, we can take an external view on potentially what a blue sky could look like, I guess, if indeed the OEM rates are realistic on those particular platforms, please. Thanks.

Michael Pistauer
Co-CEO and CFO, Montana Aerospace

Fair enough. Even so I have to address that, the build rates or the delivery rates of Airbus and Boeing, we feel, of course, in the orders, the pull rates from them on their suppliers much earlier, yeah? And also we internally, by the way, have to distinguish between always fuselage and wing, because they are built usually at different paces up from to the delivery in space, later. So it's completely different. The main structure of the airplane is mostly the first part which is delivered, and this is going along mostly half a year earlier than maybe some parts, like the slats or the flaps, they're not delivered to the airplane, the airplane makers or the airplane manufacturers, like Airbus and Boeing.

However, the strongest one within this order backlog are the single-aisle planes, A320 and 737, ±, pretty much at equal terms. Yeah? So they are the strongest, not by the sales per unit, so the shipset value, but mostly because of the mere number of planes to be expected, which go along, I would say for next year, with around, I would say, 5%-10% reduced assumption. Those two, in comparison to what is announced. From Airbus and Boeing, the strongest one concerning sales, so, shipset value are the large planes, like 777, Triple Seven, or A350. Here we of course, happily, read messages like from the Dubai Air show, where so many 777 are allegedly ordered.

Which helps of course, re-strengthening of those large planes, where the content we deliver is almost double what we have in A320 or 737. But in general, for the midterm, here we are much more conservative, for instance, like, what is announced on those large planes. I would say around, I would say 25% less than what is announced for the next year, till 2025, from the OEMs. And for the midterm on the single -aisle planes, here, we would wish to see the 75 or 65. We don't have it in our plans, yeah. So we have something like in 2025, for instance, let me recall it, at 61 or 62, something like this, for the A320, for instance. We would be happy to deliver more.

We are ready to, but let's see how it really develops.

Phil Buller
Head of Global Industrials Equity Research, Berenberg

Understood. Thank you. Just as a follow-up to that, in terms of the CapEx spend, if rates were to—I just want to make sure there's not a risk if, you know, we are above rates fifty-

Michael Pistauer
Co-CEO and CFO, Montana Aerospace

No.

Phil Buller
Head of Global Industrials Equity Research, Berenberg

You know, the low 50.

Michael Pistauer
Co-CEO and CFO, Montana Aerospace

No, CapEx is in aerostructures extremely little risk here and there, a machine. But it's like, okay, there is a bending machine or some small presses, but this is not costly issues like in the EUR 100,000s, yeah?

If there are some capacity constraints. The only question mark we have in the next year's plan is in energy. How much we can, in case of no IPO, we talked about it, Phil. For instance, finance through, through, for instance, suppliers.

Here, of course, we would like to, of course, a bit spread the investments, but this is the only issue.

Phil Buller
Head of Global Industrials Equity Research, Berenberg

Thank you very much.

Michael Pistauer
Co-CEO and CFO, Montana Aerospace

Aerostructures now.

Phil Buller
Head of Global Industrials Equity Research, Berenberg

Thanks, well.

Michael Pistauer
Co-CEO and CFO, Montana Aerospace

You're welcome.

Operator

The next question comes from Olfa Taamallah from ODDO BHF. Please go ahead.

Olfa Taamallah
Financial Analyst, ODDO BHF

Hi. Thank you very much for taking my question. So just to follow up on the aerostructures division, wondering if you can comment further on the supply chain situation in relation possibly to ASCO? And what would be your view on the company performance going forward? I guess that at some point, you have spoke about certification on some programs. So wondering to what extent you may reduce dependence on external suppliers? Thank you so much.

Michael Pistauer
Co-CEO and CFO, Montana Aerospace

Yeah. Also a very, I would say, critical question. Absolutely right. This is still an issue. We are and were in the absolute positive situation that due to our high and long value chain in our, I would say, classical business, we are mostly not dependent on any suppliers, yeah? And, therefore, we never felt really the supply chain issues. We don't feel them at all. Only where we feel it, you're right, at ASCO, and here, it's sometimes even severe. I would say the total amount of what we still have to suffer this year out of the supply chain issues, out of different issues, I come to that one shortly, is still till now, at the amount of around, well, roughly EUR 10 million, EBITDA impact.

What happens here is that suppliers don't deliver, don't deliver at all. Are single sourced out of the past. We have to certify different suppliers or us. It takes up time, time and capacities. Capacities which are not only from us to be shown, but mostly also from our certification agencies or the OEMs or the Tier 1s, which we deliver to, and they have constraints concerning their capacity. So it's extremely slow progressing, much, much slower than any time announced from them and also assumed from our side. Other suppliers don't even have the possibility to, for instance, really support. I named some, which are south of France, which simply didn't tell the truth. They said the, the trucks are on the way. They don't come.

Then you ask them, they say, "Sorry, we didn't even send the trucks because we didn't even produce them." In the meantime, one of those is taken over by some funding in France. You can guess who it is. And this makes it extremely, I would say, annoying, yeah, at ASCO. And I said the impact is, I would say, still in the amount of around double digit, almost double digit amount of EBITDA till now. Why? Because the, the full staff is in place. Parts are not coming, they can't do it as efficient as possible. So extra cost on it. Then later on, the parts are coming, you are late. We have to work extra shifts, extra hours, which are costly.

Super fast transportation then to the customers, not to fall, to bring them in any shortcut, shortfall of, I would say, performance. And these are the extra costs. So it's—and then some suppliers, for instance, Incora , they are chapter 11, which doesn't help either. They only make screws, but if some screws are missing and you're—it's easy for us to build them, but if you're not certified for it, from the customer, then you are not support, and then it's not allowed to, and then makes it really annoying. And this topic is still lasting. Even so month by month, it's reduced one by one, but is everything solved already? Not yet.

Olfa Taamallah
Financial Analyst, ODDO BHF

Maybe a follow-up on all that. When do you expect some kind of normalization or at least some improvement?

Michael Pistauer
Co-CEO and CFO, Montana Aerospace

I would say mid-2024. I would say, I would say I would align with the statements of what Airbus said, this direction, and as we are dependent also from some of those certification, that's what say mid of 2024. But, yeah, that's something we cope with. It's, it's only ASCO, yeah, and over here, also here, less than, what was last year or the quarters before, but still, still something in place.

Olfa Taamallah
Financial Analyst, ODDO BHF

Very clear. Thank you very much.

Operator

As a reminder, anyone who wishes to ask a question may press star followed by one at this time. The next question comes from Michel Keusch from Bellevue Asset Management. Please go ahead.

Michel Keusch
Senior Portfolio Manager, Bellevue Asset Management AG

Yes, hello. Just a quick follow-up, actually, on what you said on ASCO. So this would mean basically that the EBITDA, in absolute terms of ASCO, would more or less double from one year to the other, once-

Michael Pistauer
Co-CEO and CFO, Montana Aerospace

Yeah. Yeah, that's right.

Michel Keusch
Senior Portfolio Manager, Bellevue Asset Management AG

More or less?

Michael Pistauer
Co-CEO and CFO, Montana Aerospace

Even more, yeah, because we of course-

Michel Keusch
Senior Portfolio Manager, Bellevue Asset Management AG

Even more.

Michael Pistauer
Co-CEO and CFO, Montana Aerospace

Even more. On a net sales basis, it would double, and with the increase of ramp-up with the build rates, be even more.

Michel Keusch
Senior Portfolio Manager, Bellevue Asset Management AG

Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Very clear.

Michael Pistauer
Co-CEO and CFO, Montana Aerospace

It's not that bad, this EBITDA, but that could be much higher right now.

Michel Keusch
Senior Portfolio Manager, Bellevue Asset Management AG

Yeah. Very good. Thank you.

Michael Pistauer
Co-CEO and CFO, Montana Aerospace

It's a pity, but yeah, here we see it first time, how it really is concerning the supply chain issues, and I tell you, it's a lot of hassle.

Michel Keusch
Senior Portfolio Manager, Bellevue Asset Management AG

Mm Thank you.

Michael Pistauer
Co-CEO and CFO, Montana Aerospace

You're welcome.

Operator

There are no further questions at this time, and I hand back to Michael Pistauer for closing comments.

Michael Pistauer
Co-CEO and CFO, Montana Aerospace

Thank you, because I don't have any more answers. No, thank you for listening. Thank you for joining. Thank you for being active in this earnings call. It's great to discuss with you, and I'm happy to present hopefully a positive development also with the fourth quarter, which we are pretty positive about. And at least we will try our best to overachieve what is announced, and hear you and see you soon.

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