AudioDev AB: AudioDev acquires ETA-Optik and enters a new...

AudioDev acquires ETA-Optik and enters a new phase The acquisition of ETA-Optik enhances AudioDev's position in optical media while adding new technology and applications. It also marks the beginning of a new phase for AudioDev with a greater focus being put on acquisitions. As a part of the process of strengthening the company's financial standing in the future, the Board is proposing a dividend of SEK 0.00 (2.42) per share for 2006. AudioDev AB (publ.) has acquired STEAG ETA-Optik GmbH from HamaTech AG owned by Singulus Technologies AG, Germany. ETA-Optik has great technological expertise in measurement techniques and spectrometry. Their product range includes both in-line (scanners) and off-line analyzers, which complements AudioDev's products in optical media. In addition, the company has products for applications outside of optical media that provide a platform for increased growth in new markets. ETA-Optik sales were EUR 4.85 million in 2006, with around 60 percent of the business in optical media and the remaining 40 percent in other fields. The main office is located in Heinsberg, Germany, and the company has about 40 employees, working primarily in research and development. "Through this acquisition we can offer our customers a wider product range and more complete testing solutions. It also means that we can utilise our global sales and service organisation more effectively. We regard this as an important first step in our acquisition strategy,"says Christer Sjöström, CEO at AudioDev. ETA-Optik was acquired on February 8, 2007 and was consolidated from that date. The company has undergone significant restructuring in 2006, and is expected to return a modest profit in 2007, excluding integration costs. The integration costs are estimated at SEK 7 million. The purchase price, which is paid in cash, totals EUR 3.25 million. As part of the agreement, Singulus Technologies will continue to employ measuring equipment by ETA-Optik for optical disc replication lines in the future. FOCUS ON ACQUISITIONS IMPACTS ON THIS YEAR'S DIVIDEND PROPOSAL The optical media industry has been characterised by restricted investment in production and test equipment in 2006, which has continued into the fourth quarter. In order to pursue a strategy of growth in optical media while at the same time expanding the business to cover closely allied technical fields, AudioDev is looking to make more acquisitions in the future. In the light of this, the Board is recommending a dividend of SEK 0.00 (2.42) per share for 2006. More information on the dividend proposal will be published in AudioDev's year-end report on February 14. Contact information: Christer Sjöström, CEO and Group Chief Executive Tel: +46 40 690 49 00, +46,705 45 64 55 E-mail: christer.sjostrom@audiodev.com Marielle Noble, Investor Relations Tel: +46 40 690 49 05, +46,709 69 49 80 E-mail: marielle.noble@audiodev.com About AudioDev (www.audiodev.se) AudioDev is a world-leading manufacturer of test equipment for quality control of optical media such as CDs and DVDs. The company also has a leading position in the ongoing development of blue laser based formats (BD and HD DVD). Net sales in 2005 were SEK 218 million with the largest markets being in the US, Asia and Europe. The head office is based in Malmö, Sweden AudioDev has been listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange since September 2000. AudioDev's products are sold under the brands CATS and Go!. The products in the CATS series are high precision analyzers for quality testing for all formats on the market. Go! is a brand with products optimised for production control. AudioDev also offers an extensive service network, as well as customised training and independent test analyses via AudioDev's TestCenter. AudioDev customers include Cinram, CMC, Microsoft, Moser Baer India, Panasonic, Pioneer, Ritek Corp. and Technicolor. About ETA-Optik (www.eta-optik.com) ETA-Optik was founded in 1991 and was originally created to develop, manufacture and market compact spectrometers together with their core components in the form of holographic optical elements. Today the business covers complete systems for spectrometric measurements and the company is a technological cutting-edge supplier of measuring and test equipment for the optical media industry. The company is based in Heinsberg, Germany, and has around 40 qualified employees involved principally in research and development, of which 15 hold PhDs. Marketing takes place via a global sales and service network. ETA-Optik was a wholly owned subsidiary of HamaTech AG which is owned by Singulus Technologies AG, Germany. The parent company is a leading manufacturer of complete manufacturing lines for CD and DVD discs Singulus Technologies had a turnover of around EUR 245 million (2005) and the company's shares are listed on the German Stock Exchange. ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://wpy.waymaker.net/client/waymaker1/f.aspx?id=376319&fn=wkr0001.pdf