Press Release

The CAREL Industries Board of Directors has approved the consolidated results as of 31 March 2024

  • Consolidated revenues equal to € 146.4 million, -9.0% compared to the first three months 2023. On a like-for-like and constant exchange rate basis the decline would have been -13.3%.
  • Consolidated EBITDA equal to € 26.7 million corresponding to 18.2% of revenues. A 20.3% decline compared to the first three months of 2023;
  • Consolidated net result equal to € 16.5 million, -10.9% compared to the net result recorded in the first three months 2023;
  • Negative consolidated net financial position equal to € 78.0 million (compared to € 35.7 million as at 31 December 2023) including the accounting effect linked to the application of IFRS16 of € 32.5 million. Robust cash generation easily covering working capital increase and higher R&D capex. The increase in net financial position is totally due to the acquisition of the remaining 49% of CFM share capital (€ 44.2 million).
  • R&D spending increases and returns to target level, above 5% of revenues.
  • The SBTi (Science Based Targets Initiative) commitment letter for CAREL's decarbonisation plan was signed.

Brugine, 9 May 2024 - The Board of Directors of CAREL Industries S.p.A. ('CAREL', or the 'Company' or the 'Parent Company') met today and approved the consolidated results as of 31 March 2024.

Francesco Nalini, CEO of the Group, commented: "As already expected and anticipated, the first quarter of this year was characterised by a particularly challenging economic scenario, especially in some geographical areas, which was reflected in several sectors of both air conditioning and refrigeration. Starting with the former, the segment that suffered the most was the heat pump segment, which in recent quarters, has experienced a sharp and significant slowdown in Europe as a result of some regulatory uncertainties, which have been partly resolved, the dynamics of interest rates and the trend in energy commodity prices. Turning to refrigeration, the strong recovery observed in North America was offset by a still stagnant European demand, although some qualitative signs of improvement were also seen in that geography. The true magnitude of these trends was partly accentuated by a comparative period, the first quarter of 2023, which had been extremely positive and robust, thanks in part to the extraordinary contribution related to the easing of the electronics shortage, which had allowed the Group to dispose of some of the previously outstanding orders.

However, the above is temporary in nature: heat pumps play an essential role in the European decarbonisation strategy, while energy efficiency and the transition to more sustainable refrigerant gases remain two key elements in the development of refrigeration in the coming decades. In the short term, we expect a gradual improvement, concentrated in the second half of this year. Turning instead to the medium and long term, CAREL aims to further strengthen its global positioning based on customer focus, anticipation of market needs and undisputed technological leadership. From this last point of view, an important result was already achieved in the first quarter of this year: the percentage amount of revenue spent on research and development was brought back close to its historical average, i.e. above 5%."

Consolidated revenues

Consolidated revenues came to € 146.4 million, compared to € 161.0 million as at 31 March 2023, a decrease of 9.0%. Net of the change in the scope of consolidation of Kiona and Eurotec (€ 7.3 million) and the marginal negative exchange rate effect, the decrease would have been 13.3%.

This decrease is primarily attributable to a contingent and non-recurring element related to the significant contribution to revenues, in the first part of 2023, of the disposal of the backlog accumulated in previous quarters. During this period, the shortage of electronic material had eased considerably, allowing the Group to increase the volumes produced and delivered. Added to this is a real contraction in demand that has affected some sectors, particularly in Europe. Starting with air conditioning, which accounts for 71% of consolidated revenues and recorded a drop of -10.1% (at constant exchange rates) in the quarter, the decline in sales in the residential sector (heat pumps) intensified further. This is due to a number of transitional elements including: a certain regulatory

1

opacity at European level (so-calledF-gas regulation; EPBD; Heat Pump Action Plan) and at local level (particularly in Germany, although it now appears to be substantially resolved); an unfavourable dynamic in the relationship between gas and electricity prices; high interest rates; high inventory levels throughout the supply-chain due also to tumultuous market growth between 2021, 2022 and the first part of 2023. With regard to the other verticals in which the Group operates, while the industrial sector was particularly buoyant, especially in the US, led by excellent growth in Data Centres, the commercial sector closed in the negative area mainly due to the very high comparative context in Q1 2023.

Regarding refrigeration, which accounts for 29% of consolidated revenues and reported a decrease of -3.8% (at constant exchange rates) in the quarter, opposite trends were recorded in North America and Europe. In the former, there has been a strong upturn in investment in both food retail and food service, linked to a decidedly positive macroeconomic scenario and considerable interest in more sustainable and efficient solutions, while in EMEA there is a substantial stagnation in demand, although there are some timid signs of a possible trend reversal expected in the coming quarters.

Analysing the individual geographic areas, the region with the greatest weight for the Group, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa), from which 67% of revenues derive, closed the first quarter of 2024 with a decrease at constant exchange rates of -16.3% (on a like-for- like basis, the decrease would have been equal to approximately 22%): a general negative performance in the verticals in which the Group operates contributed to this result, with a marked decrease in heat pumps. As already mentioned, there is a significant penalty due to the comparison with Q1 2023, the second highest quarter ever recorded by CAREL, which had reported robust growth in the residential sector. The general weakness of demand in Europe is due to a number of mainly macroeconomic (GDP growth essentially flat, 0.3%, and interest rates at highs) and regulatory elements (the latter partly resolved or in the process of being resolved), compounded in some segments by high inventory levels along the supply and distribution chain.

APAC (Asia-Pacific), which accounts for approximately 15% of the Group's revenues, reports growth at constant exchange rates of 8.3% compared to as recorded in the same period of 2023. In addition to the contribution of Eurotec, these results benefited from an excellent performance of the industrial air-conditioning sector (including some opportunities related to electrification) and data centres, while the commercial sector was not very tonic due to the weak economic scenario in China.

Revenues from North America, which account for about 16% of the total, grew by 14.8% at constant exchange rates and benefited from excellent performance both in the HVAC sector, particularly in applications related to computer centre cooling and other innovative industrial applications, and in the refrigeration sector, where the growing interest in solutions increasingly oriented towards the use of refrigerants with a low polluting impact, mainly natural refrigerants, is particularly positive, also following some regulatory confirmations in recent quarters. Also important, from a strategic point of view, was the success of the products for air handling units developed by Enginia, a company acquired in 2021, which led the Group to implement part of the production process for these references in its plant in Pennsylvania. Finally, South America (which represents approximately 2% of the Group's total turnover) reports significantly growing results compared to the first quarter of 2023: the good performances recorded in Brazil were also confirmed in other South American countries, thanks mainly to an improvement in refrigeration results.

Table 1- Revenue by business area (thousands of euros)

31.03.2024

HVAC revenue

104,190

REF revenue

41,981

31.03.2023

Delta %

Delta fx %

116,554

(10.6%)

(10.1%)

43,874

(4.3%)

(3.8%)

Total core revenue

146,172

160,428

(8.9%)

(8.4%)

Non-core revenue

243

554

(56.1%)

(56.0%)

Total Revenue

146,415

160,982

(9.0%)

(8.6%)

Table 2 Revenue by geographical area (thousands of euros)

31.03.2024

31.03.2023

Delta %

Delta fx %

EMEA

98,454

117,179

(16.0%)

(16.3%)

APAC

20,821

20,084

3.7%

8.3%

North America

23,584

20,783

13.5%

14.8%

South America

3,556

2,936

21.1%

18.0%

Total Revenue

146,415

160,982

(9.0%)

(8.6%)

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Consolidated EBITDA

Consolidated EBITDA as at 31 March 2024 stood at € 26.7 million, down (-20.3%) compared to € 33.4 million recorded in the same period of 2023. Profitability, understood as the ratio of EBITDA to revenue was 18.2% (20.8% as at 31 March 2023). This performance reflects the negative revenue trend, partly mitigated by some initiatives to contain discretionary spending. Of note is the expected increase in investments in research and development, which exceed 5% of revenues, with the aim of maintaining and strengthening the competitive position of leadership in innovation that has always marked the Group's strategy.

Consolidated net income

The consolidated net profit of € 16.5, million, down 10.9% from € 18.5 million as at 31 March 2023, only partially reflected the operating results due to particularly positive results from the exchange rate trend and the gain related to the acquisition of the remaining 49% of the share capital of CFM. The tax rate was just above 22%, broadly in line with the same period last year.

Consolidated net financial position

The consolidated net financial position was negative for € 78.0 million, including the accounting effect of the application of IFRS16, equal to € 32.5 million. The increase compared to the figure recorded as at 31 December 2023 and amounting to € 35.7 million is due to the acquisition of the remaining 49% of the share capital of CFM (as illustrated in more detail below in this press release). Excluding this element, the net financial position is essentially unchanged compared to the end of 2023: cash generation covered, in fact, investments of about € 5.4 million and the increase in working capital mainly due to seasonal effects.

Acquisition of the remaining 49% of the share capital of CFM

Following the press releases published on 6 and 31 May 2021 (to which please refer for the details of the transaction), the Company announces that, also following obtaining the green light for the transaction from the Turkish antitrust authority, CAREL purchased the remaining 49% of the share capital of CFM Soğutma ve Otomasyon A.Ş. ("CFM") - distributor and historical partner in Turkey as well as provider of digital and on-field services and complete high added value solutions dedicated to OEMs, contractors and end users of the Turkish HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning) and Refrigeration market - through the payment of a sum equal to € 44.2 million, thus becoming the sole shareholder of that company.

Signing of the SBTi commitment letter

Over the past few years, the Group has put considerable effort into defining its carbon footprint (including scope 3) as well as implemented several initiatives aimed at energy saving and more generally reducing emissions. The positive results achieved formed the basis for the study of a structured medium-term decarbonisation plan (2023-20233). This plan, structured according to the 'Science Based Targets initiative' (SBTi) models, i.e. aligned to the containment of the effects of climate change within 1.5°C, follows the submission of the relevant 'Commitment Letter ' as well as the 'due diligence' phase from which 'committed' status was confirmed.

Business outlook

The first quarter of 2024 was also characterised by a framework of strong geopolitical instability mainly due to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the outbreak of the Israeli-Palestinian one. In macroeconomic terms, the scenario is not homogeneous in the geographical areas where the Group's presence is greatest: Europe, China and the United States. In Europe, while the inflation trajectory has stabilised at just above 2%, interest rates still remain at highs (above 4%) and GDP growth is essentially flat. The signals coming out of China are mixed: while industrial production is growing significantly, in fact, there are fears of deflation. Finally, as far as the US is concerned, despite high interest rates the economy is still robust.

The Group's first-quarter results partly reflect these scenarios with double-digit percentage growth in North America, positive but less brilliant performance in APAC and a sharp decline in EMEA. The latter was also impacted by contingent and temporary phenomena

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such as the aforementioned sharp deceleration in sales of heat pumps and the recovery of refrigeration that is struggling to materialise.

As far as the continuation of the year is concerned, expectations are for a gradual growth in performance, in particular in EMEA in the second part of 2024, linked to a series of phenomena, including the recovery of the investment cycle in the refrigeration sector (the first slight signs of which are already present), the disposal of accumulated inventories in the heat pump supply chain, and the improvement of the European macroeconomic scenario (interest rates). The basis of comparison with 2023 will also normalize in the second half of the year For the second quarter of 2024 the scenario should not undergo significant changes, therefore the Group expects consolidated revenues close to those of the first quarter of this year.

CONFERENCE CALL

The results as of 31 March 2023 will be illustrated today, 9 May 2024, at 16.30 (Italian time) during a conference call to the financial community, which will also be the subject of a webcast in listen-only mode on www.carel.com, Investor Relations section.

The CFO, Nicola Biondo, stated, pursuant to paragraph 2 of Article 154-bis of the Consolidated Finance Act, that the accounting information in this press release corresponds to the documented results, accounts and bookkeeping records.

For further information

INVESTOR RELATIONS

MEDIA RELATIONS

Giampiero Grosso - Investor Relations Manager

Barabino & Partners

giampiero.grosso@carel.com

Fabrizio Grassi

+39 049 9731961

f.grassi@barabino.it

+39 392 73 92 125

Marco Trevisan

m. trevisan@barabino.it

+39 02 72 02 35 35

***

CAREL

The CAREL Group is a global leader in the design, production and marketing of technologically-advanced components and solutions for excellent energy efficiency in the control of heating, ventilation and air conditioning ("HVAC") and refrigeration equipment and systems. CAREL is focused on several vertical niche markets with extremely specific needs, catered for with dedicated solutions developed comprehensively for these requirements, as opposed to mass markets.

The Group designs, produces and markets hardware, software and algorithm solutions aimed at both improving the performance of the units and systems they are intended for and for energy saving, with a globally-recognised brand in the HVAC and refrigeration markets (collectively, "HVAC/R") in which it operates and, in the opinion of the Company's management, with a distinctive position in the relevant niches in those markets.

HVAC is the Group's main market, representing 73% of the Group's revenues in the financial year to 31 December 2023, while the refrigeration market accounted for 27% of the Group's revenues.

The Group commits significant resources to research and development, an area which plays a strategic role in helping it maintain its position of leadership in the reference HVAC/R market niches, with special attention focused on energy efficiency, the reduction of

4

environmental impact, trends relating to the use of natural refrigerant gases, automation and remote connectivity (the Internet of Things), and the development of data-driven solutions and services.

As of 31 December 2023 the Group operates through 49 branches including 15 production plants located in various countries, approximately 80% of the Group's revenues was generated outside of Italy and 30% outside of EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa). Original Equipment Manufacturers or OEMs - suppliers of complete units for applications in HVAC/R markets - make up the Company's main category of customers, which the Group focuses on to build long-term relationships.

5

The accounting statements of the CAREL Industries Group, not subject to independent auditing, are illustrated below.

Consolidated Financial Statements as of 31 March 2024

Consolidated Statement of financial position

(€'000)

Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets

Equity-accounted investments

Other non-current assets

Deferred tax assets

Non-current assets

Trade receivables

Inventories

Current tax assets

Other current assets

Current financial assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Current assets

TOTAL ASSETS

Equity attributable to the owners of the parent company

Equity attributable to non-controlling interests

Total equity

Non-current financial liabilities

Provisions for risks

Defined benefit plans

Deferred tax liabilities

Other non-current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Current financial liabilities

Trade payables

Current tax liabilities

Provisions for risks

Other current liabilities

Current liabilities

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

31/03/2024

31/12/2023

116,760

117,504

381,929

383,266

2,229

2,216

6,901

6,868

13,486

14,399

521,306

524,254

104,009

101,291

114,511

111,722

3,043

4,264

24,623

21,166

3,700

3,697

99,947

154,010

349,833

396,150

871,139

920,404

408,734

376,422

6,358

19,751

415,092

396,174

136,755

147,390

5,512

5,458

8,442

8,479

28,387

28,788

96,647

99,566

275,744

289,681

44,911

45,980

74,717

74,931

6,103

5,184

6,505

6,191

48,067

102,263

180,303

234,549

871,139

920,404

6

Consolidated Statement of profit or loss

(€'000)

31/03/2024

31/03/2023

Revenue

146,415

160,982

Other revenue

1,124

1,276

Costs of raw materials, consumables and goods and changes in

inventories

(60,354)

(72,588)

Services

(20,495)

(20,068)

Capitalised development expenditure

1,285

208

Personnel expenses

(40,387)

(35,680)

Other expenses, net

(921)

(692)

Amortisation, depreciation and impairment losses

(9,508)

(7,532)

OPERATING PROFIT

17,158

25,907

Net financial income/(charges)

(1,523)

(777)

Net exchange rate gains/(losses)

2,672

52

Gains/(losses) on from FV of liabilities for options on minority stakes

3,454

-

PROFIT BEFORE TAX

21,762

25,182

Income taxes

(4,848)

(5,564)

PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD

16,915

19,618

Non-controlling interests

389

1,074

PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE OWNERS OF

THE PARENT COMPANY

16,525

18,544

Consolidated Statement of comprehensive income

(€'000)

31/03/2024

31/03/2023

Profit for the period

16,915

19,618

Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss:

- Fair value gains (losses) on hedging derivatives net of the tax effect

(30)

(248)

- Exchange differences

2,034

(6,094)

Items that may not be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss:

- Discounted benefits to employees net of fiscal effect

-

-

Comprehensive income

18,919

13,276

attributable to:

- Owners of the parent company

18,437

12,362

- Non-controlling interests

481

914

Earnings per share

Earnings per share (in euros)

0.15

0.19

7

Consolidated Statement of cash flows

(€'000)

31.03.2024

Profit for the period

16,915

Adjustments for:

Amortisation, depreciation and impairment losses

9,508

Accruals to/utilisations of provisions

1,255

Other charges/(gains)

(4,789)

Taxes

4,848

Changes in working capital:

Change in trade receivables and other current assets

(4,922)

Change in inventories

(3,079)

Change in trade payables and other current liabilities

(8,029)

Change in non-current assets

(33)

Change in non-current liabilities

(925)

Cash flows generated from operations

10,747

Net interest paid

(1,570)

Tax paid

(2,180)

Net cash flows generated by operating activities

6,997

Investments in property, plant and equipment

(3,461)

Investments in intangible assets

(1,924)

Investments/Disinvestments of financial assets

-

Disinvestments of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

83

Interest collected

1,090

Industrial aggregation net of the acquired cash

(44,213)

Cash flows generated by (used in) investing activities

(48,426)

Shares buy-back

-

Increase in financial liabilities

-

Decrease in financial liabilities

(10,901)

Decrease in financial liabilities for leasing fees

(1,876)

Cash flows generated by (used in) financing activities

(12,777)

Change in cash and cash equivalents

(54,205)

Cash and cash equivalents - opening balance

154,010

Conversion variations

142

Cash and cash equivalents - closing balance

99,947

  1. Compared to the published data referring to 31 March 2023, the item Taxes, Trade payables and other payables and Taxes paid have been reclassified in order to make them more comparable with the data as of 03.31.2024.

31.03.2023*

19,618

7,532

1,767

1,186

5,564

(16,961)

(12,666)

3,138

(274)

(3)

8,901

(1,071)

(1,124)

6,706

(2,358)

(654)

8,000

102

659

(3,399)

2,351

(1,041)

20,120

(12,000)

(1,721)

5,358

14,415

96,636

695

111,746

8

Consolidated Statement of changes

Share

Legal

Translation

Hedging

Other

Retained

Profit for

Equity

Equity att.

Total equity

in equity

capital

reserve

reserve

reserve

reserves

earnings

the period

to non-

controlling

(€'000)

interests

Balance as of 1/1/2023

10,000

2,000

5,848

1,252

29,232

94,925

62,124

205,379

15,868

221,247

Owner transactions

- Allocation of profit for the period

-

-

-

-

-

62,124

(62,124)

-

-

-

- Shares buy-back

-

-

-

-

(1,042)

-

-

(1,042)

-

(1,042)

-

Change in scope of consolidation

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Total owner transactions

10,000

2,000

5,848

1,252

28,190

157,048

-

204,337

15,868

220,205

- Profit for the period

18,544

18,544

1,074

19,618

- Other comprehensive income (expenses)

(5,934)

(248)

(6,182)

(160)

(6,342)

Total other comprehensive income

-

-

(5,934)

(248)

-

-

18,544

12,362

914

13,276

(expenses)

Balance as of 31/3/2023

10,000

2,000

(86)

1,004

28,190

157,048

18,544

216,698

16,782

233,480

Balance as of 1/1/2024

11,250

2,000

(3,015)

393

182,307

112,544

70,942

376,422

19,752

396,174

Owner transactions

- Allocation of profit for the period

-

-

-

-

70,942

(70,942)

-

-

-

-

Shares buy-back

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Change in scope of consolidation

-

-

-

-

-

13,875

-

13,875

(13,875)

-

Total owner transactions

11,250

2,000

(3,015)

393

182,307

197,361

-

390,297

5,877

396,174

- Profit for the period

16,525

16,525

389

16,915

- Other comprehensive expenses

1,942

(30)

1,912

92

2,004

Total other comprehensive expenses

-

-

1,942

(30)

-

-

16,525

18,437

481

18,919

Balance as of 31/3/2024

11,250

2,000

(1,073)

363

182,307

197,361

16,525

408,734

6,358

415,092

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Carel Industries S.p.A. published this content on 09 May 2024 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 09 May 2024 12:48:04 UTC.