SolarWorld AG / Miscellaneous
13.03.2008
Release of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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Dividend proposal increased to 0.14 (previous year: 0.10) EUR per share
SolarWorld AG increased profits and sales group-wide in double digits in
fiscal year 2007. In the presentation of its Group Management Report the
group confirms the results announced by way of the ad hoc announcements.
Accordingly, group sales went up by 35.6 per cent over the previous year to
698.8 (previous year: 515.2) million EUR. The operating result before
interest and tax (EBIT) climbed by 48.6 per cent to 174.5 (previous year:
117.4) million EUR while the operating profit before tax rose by 27.8 per
cent to 151.6 (previous year: 118.6) million EUR. The net operating profit
rose by 33.7 per cent to 97.3 (previous year 72.8) million EUR. All figures
include discontinued operations (Gällivare PhotoVoltaic AB) and exclude
special effects. If the special effects are included the group reached a
net profit for the year of 113.3 (previous year: 130.6) million EUR.
'In line with the increase in our operating profit we again want
shareholders to participate in our business success', says Dipl.-Ing. Frank
H. Asbeck, Chairman and CEO of SolarWorld AG. 'We will therefore propose to
the Annual General Meeting a dividend increased to 0.14 (previous year:
0.10) EUR per share.'
Also for the current year the Executive Board is expecting the group-wide
growth to continue. 'For the operating result before interest and tax
(EBIT) we are expecting a growth rate of between 25 and 30 per cent on the
basis of the 2007 adjusted EBIT (only continued operations) of 171 million
EUR', continues Frank H. Asbeck. Group-wide sales are also expected to rise
by 25 to 30 per cent while the rate of international business will go up to
60 (previous year: 49) per cent.
The business year under review was marked by the successful international
expansion of the solar business. 'We have significantly strengthened our
worldwide presence thus successfully developing the acquisitions of the
previous years', concluded Frank H. Asbeck the summary of the year just
ended. 'At this point I like quoting Arthur Schnitzler: Being ready is
good; being able to wait is better; but being able to use the right moment
is the best.'
CFO Dipl.-Kfm. tech. Philipp Koecke referred to the sound financial
situation of the company. 'After our expansion policy of the last few years
we are excellently positioned by international standards with an equity
ratio of in excess of 40 per cent. This is a reliable basis for further
growth. The group can build on a sound liquidity basis. At year-end the
liquid funds amounted to 792.9 million EUR'.
SolarWorld takes first place in Deloitte ranking on the reporting
of sustainable performance indicators
SolarWorld AG was already honored for its 2006 reporting within the
framework of a study by the auditing and business consulting company
Deloitte as an excellent example of good reporting on 'Sustainable
Development Key Performance Indicators' (SD-KPIs) by being awarded first
place. Non-financial factors contribute to the success of the company on a
significant scale. The SD-KPIs mentioned in the study are in the opinion of
the interviewed capital market professionals of particular importance to
the business development, the situation and the predicted development of
the company. SolarWorld AG is at the top of the TOP 12 followed by TUI and
BASF.
A+ Rating through Global Reporting Initiative for sustainability reporting
2007
For fiscal year 2007 SolarWorld AG published for the first time an annual
report with an integrated sustainability report drawn up according to the
international standard for sustainable reporting (Global Reporting
Initiative/ GRI). This report received the GRI rating A+ as it was audited
externally by an audit company and in the second instance by the GRI itself
for completeness and for the correctness of the information provided. 'As a
global company we are committed to meeting the challenge of a sustainable
development', says Frank Asbeck 'For us sustainability means that economic,
ecological and social aspects are consistently implemented from the vision
and the strategy right down to the level of the operational business
processes.'
Successful environmental management certification according to ISO 14001 in
Bonn and Freiberg
At its locations in Freiberg and Bonn the group has expanded its quality
management system by adding an environmental management system. In February
2008 the system was successfully certified by an external certification
company. The enhanced environmental management system makes it possible for
the company to reduce the environmental effects of products and processes
by way of a systematic approach and additionally to integrate and improve
the environmental performance in the implementation of the corporate
strategy.
International invitation to SolarWorld Junior Einstein Award issued
The invitation to the third Junior Einstein Award is going out to
international higher education establishments. SolarWorld awards this prize
annually to junior engineers for outstanding scientific work in the field
of solar power technology. The presentation of the award will take place in
early September on the occasion of the international Photovoltaic
Conference in Valencia/ Spain. Applications must be received by 31 July
2008 (for further information please go to the website
www.einstein-award.de).
About SolarWorld AG: The SolarWorld AG group of companies (ISIN:
DE0005108401) is a world leader in high quality solar power technology. The
company is involved at all levels of the solar value chain and combines all
activities of the industry from silicon as the raw material to turn-key
solar power system. SolarWorld AG is represented in all international solar
growth markets. The group is exclusively dedicated to its core business of
photovoltaic power generation, operating production facilities in Germany
and the USA. They in turn supply the SolarWorld AG sales offices in
Germany, Spain, USA, South Africa and Singapore. In South Korea SolarWorld
AG is currently building up a solar module production facility in order to
be able to serve the growing demand in Asia on the spot in the future. A
central element of the business in addition to the sale of turn-key solar
systems and solar modules to retailers is the distribution of solar silicon
wafers to the international solar cell industry. Apart from grid-coupled
(on-grid) products the SolarWorld Group also sells off-grid solar power
solutions that make an important contribution to the sustainable economic
development of threshold and developing countries. Under the name
Solar2World the group has pooled its ethical commitment to solar power
especially in developing countries.
SolarWorld AG employs more than 2,000 people worldwide. At the stock market
the company is listed among others in the technology index TecDAX, in the
ÖkoDAX, in the Dow Jones STOXX 600, in the international MSCI index as well
as in the sustainability indices DAXglobal Alternative Energy and NAI.
Contact:
SolarWorld AG Investor Relations / Marketing Communications,
Tel.-No.: +49 228 55920 -470; Fax-No.: +49 228 55920-9470,
E-mail: placement@solarworld.de
Internet: www.solarworld.de
DGAP 13.03.2008
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Language: English
Issuer: SolarWorld AG
Kurt-Schumacher-Straße 12-14
53113 Bonn
Deutschland
Phone: +49 (0)228 - 559 20 470
Fax: +49 (0)228 - 559 20 99
E-mail: placement@solarworld.de
Internet: www.solarworld.de
ISIN: DE0005108401
WKN: 510840
Indices: TecDAX
Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard), Düsseldorf;
Freiverkehr in Berlin, München, Hamburg, Stuttgart;
Terminbörse EUREX
End of News DGAP News-Service
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DGAP-News: SolarWorld AG confirms leap in 2007 operating profit
| Source: EQS Group AG