Oerlikon’s orders for the third quarter increased year-over-year by 22.2 per cent. Sales were up 28.9 per cent. The group’s ebitda came in higher year-over-year at 15 per cent of sales. Ebit for the third quarter corresponded to a margin of nine per cent. The third quarter performance resulted in a significantly improved rolling 12-month Oerlikon Group return on capital employed of 11.7 per cent.

Ebitda margin of 15 per cent reflects the higher operating costs related to investments and a larger share of revenues generated by equipment and project businesses in this quarter. The company continued to grow its surface solutions business, increasing orders and sales in almost all of its end markets. The surface solutions segment sustained topline growth, delivering double-digit increases in both year-over-year orders and sales.

For the manmade fibers segment, Oerlikon recorded significantly higher orders and achieved a historical high in sales. It has delivered strong results and is on track to deliver on its guidance for the full year of 2018. For continued operations for the full year of 2018, ebitda margin is expected to exceed 15.5 per cent after accounting for increased operating expenses from higher investments, particularly in additive manufacturing and impacts from the divestment of the drive systems segment.