Manz Automation AG / Preliminary Results 25.02.2009 Release of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Best earnings ever in the company's history - Revenues more than triple to EUR 236.5 million according to preliminary figures - EBIT up more than 185% to around EUR 28.6 million - EBIT margin of 12.1% in fiscal year 2008 Reutlingen, February 25, 2009 - Manz Automation AG, one of the worlds's leading technology providers for the photovoltaic and LCD industries, recorded significant revenue and profit growth last fiscal year, and thus new record-breaking results. According to preliminary figures, the Manz Group increased its revenues from EUR 71.3 million last year by more than 232% to EUR 236.5 million. The fourth quarter of 2008 alone contributed EUR 77.4 million to revenues (previous year: EUR 24.5 million). At the same time, Manz almost tripled its total operating revenue to EUR 234.8 million (previous year: EUR 81.5 million). This positive growth was based not only on strong operating growth in the solar sector, but also the successful integration of the three companies acquired in fiscal year 2008. This means that Manz has significantly expanded both its product portfolio by adding new technologies, and also its production capacity. Growth last fiscal year was again driven by the systems.solar division, where revenues were up EUR 51.1 million to EUR 141.5 million. The systems.lcd segment also made a major contribution to revenues of EUR 46.5 million (previous year: EUR 8.7 million), due in particular to Manz Intech Machines Co., Ltd. which has been consolidated since April 2008. The company's EBIT increased from EUR 10.0 million to around EUR 28.6 million - this figure thus also almost tripled. In the fourth quarter of 2008, the result from operating activities totaled EUR 9.8 million. This means that the EBIT margin for 2008 as a whole (in terms of revenues recorded) was 12.1%. CEO Dieter Manz is very pleased with the record-breaking year: 'We reached key strategic milestones last year. These include significantly increasing our capacity and integrating innovative technologies in our product range. And that's what it takes to further expand our technology leadership and develop new markets!' At the same time, Dieter Manz is also optimistic about what the future holds: 'We will conquer the challenges that face us, and we are very confident that we will be able to link in to the substantial growth rates we enjoyed in the past after mastering the economic crisis. Our strong research and development competence, long-standing strategic alliances and our solid position on international markets are the key foundations in this regard!' As of December 31, 2008, the Manz Group's order book totaled around EUR 107 million, and the bulk of this will be recognized in revenues and earnings in fiscal year 2009. Over the long-term, photovoltaic will play a key role in the global energy mix, securing the electricity supply. That is why experts in the solar sector are forecasting substantial increases in growth rates again in the coming years. As a leading provider of system solutions in automation, quality assurance, laser process technology and wet chemicals, Manz Automation is thus excellently positioned to be able to enjoy substantial benefits from this trend. The full figures for fiscal year 2008 will be published together with the annual report on March 31, 2009. Company profile: Manz Automation AG Reutlingen-based Manz Automation AG (ISIN: DE000A0JQ5U3) is one of the world's 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. According to preliminary figures, the Manz Group recorded revenues of EUR 236.5 million and an EBIT margin of 12.1% in fiscal year 2008. Investor relations contact Manz Automation AG Stefan Sell Tel.: +49 (0)7121 - 9000-896 Fax: +49 (0)7121 - 9000-99 E-Mail: ssell@manz-automation.com cometis AG Ulrich Wiehle Tel.: +49 (0)611 - 205855-11 Fax: +49 (0)611 - 205855-66 E-Mail: wiehle@cometis.de DGAP 25.02.2009 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Language: English Issuer: Manz Automation AG Steigäckerstr. 5 72768 Reutlingen Deutschland Phone: +49 (0) 7121 9000-0 Fax: +49 (0) 7121 9000-99 E-mail: info@manz-automation.com Internet: http://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 Automation AG with record-breaking results in fiscal year 2008
| Source: EQS Group AG