Manz Automation AG / Half Year Results 13.08.2008 Release of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Revenues in H1 2008 more than triple to 101.6 million - EBIT up more than 210% to around 12.0 million Reutlingen, August 13, 2008. The Manz Group successfully continued its dynamic on-track growth in the first half of 2008. The high-tech engineering company lifted its revenues from 28.07 million in the first half of 2007 by more than 260% to 101.60 million. Growth was again driven by the systems.solar division, where Manz recorded revenues of 59.05 million (previous year: 17.63 million). In addition, the systems.lcd segment also enjoyed substantial growth with revenues of 17.52 million (previous year: 4.98 million), which was also due to the subsidiary Intech Machines Co., Ltd., consolidated for the first time in the second quarter of 2008. At the same time, the group's total operating revenue increased to 102.44 million, more than triple the figure in H1 2007 ( 30.94 million). In the first six months, EBIT also climbed significantly by around 210% to 12.02 million (previous year: 3.88 million). Compared to revenues, Manz Automation recorded an EBIT margin of 11.8% compared to 13.8% last year. The anticipated short-term dilution of the EBIT margin is due, in particular, to the consolidation of acquired companies and their existing product ranges. The capacity used for these lower-margin products will be used for high-profit solar applications during the course of the group's further growth. Pre-tax earnings (EBT) were up by 7.53 million to 11.38 million (previous year: 3.85 million). This resulted in net income for the period of 8.43 million compared to 2.40 million last year. This corresponds to earnings per share of 2.41 (previous year: 0.73). Taking the strong expansion of the group's operating business into account and the associated requirements for working capital, the cash flow from operating activities totaled -1.2 million (previous year: 5.08 million). As a result of the sustained growth, the Managing Board has reconfirmed its revenue forecast of 235 240 million for fiscal year 2008. The Managing Board is also forecasting a sustained increase in EBIT. 'We are very pleased with the strong first half of 2008. In addition to integrating the companies we have acquired and the associated increase in capacity, our recent capital increase has laid the foundations for sustained dynamic growth. Moreover, we have concluded new, landmark strategic alliances and will further increase the vertical integration in our production lines. This will reinforce our position on the market, allowing us to also benefit from opportunities for growth in Germany and abroad,' commented CEO Dieter Manz. The full report for the first half of 2008 can be downloaded from www.manz-automation.com in the Investor Relations section. Company Profile Reutlingen-based Manz Automation AG (ISIN: DE000A0JQ5U3) is one of the worlds leading technology providers in terms of market shares for systems for automation, quality assurance and laser process technology for the photovoltaic industry and for automation and wet chemicals for the LCD industry. The Manz Group's core competences are in robotics, image processing, laser technology, wet chemicals as well as control and drive technology. The Manz Group's key strategic divisions are photovoltaic (systems.solar), LCD (systems.lcd) and OEM systems (systems.aico) for automation in various industrial sectors and the life science industry. The Manz Group has sales and service branches in Germany, Taiwan, the USA, China, South Korea, India and Spain. In addition, the Manz Group has its own production facilities in Germany, Slovakia, Hungary, Taiwan and China. The Manz Group recorded revenues of 71.2 million in fiscal year 2007 with an EBIT margin of 14.1%. More than 57% of revenues were generated abroad, in particular in Asia. The Manz Group recorded revenues of 101.6 million and an EBIT margin of 11.8% in the first half of fiscal year 2008. Investor relations contact Manz Automation AG Birte-Christina Benecke Phone: +49 (0)7121 9000-21 Fax: +49 (0)7121 9000-99 E-Mail: bbenecke@manz-automation.com cometis AG Ulrich Wiehle Phone: +49 (0)611 205855-11 Fax: +49 (0)611 205855-66 E-Mail: wiehle@cometis.de DGAP 13.08.2008 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Language: English Issuer: Manz Automation AG Steigäckerstraße 5 72768 Reutlingen Deutschland Phone: +49 (0)7121 9000 915 Fax: +49 (0)7121 9000 99 E-mail: mhipp@manz-automation.com Internet: www.manz-automation.com ISIN: DE000A0JQ5U3 WKN: A0JQ5U Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin, Stuttgart, München, Düsseldorf End of News DGAP News-Service ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DGAP-News: Manz Group continues to enjoy on-track growth in H1 2008
| Source: EQS Group AG