Viscom AG / Final Results 27.03.2009 Release of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- - At KEUR 49,915 revenues for 2008 below previous year's level (KEUR 51,986) - EBIT down to KEUR -1,586 (previous year: KEUR 4,482) after weak second half year - Earnings per share at EUR -0.19 (previous year: EUR 0.39) Hanover, 27 March 2009 - The business year 2008 did not proceed as anticipated for the Viscom AG, European market leader for automated optical inspection systems for the electronics industry - even though revenue development during the first half year was very positive and raised hopes that 2008 would yield record revenues. Viscom did achieve revenue of KEUR 28,446 during the first half year 2008, an increase of 48.3 % compared to the previous year (KEUR 19,179). During the second half year, and most especially in the fourth quarter, the global economic crisis reached the Hanover manufacturer of inspection systems. Against a backdrop of drastically reduced production in the automotive and automotive supply industries - one of the key customer segments for the Viscom AG - drastic revenue losses were posted. With KEUR 8,799, fourth quarter 2008 revenues decreased 52.3 % against the previous year (KEUR 18,433). Thanks to the vigorous first half year 2008, however,revenues of KEUR 49,915 could be achieved for the entire business year 2008 (previous year: KEUR 51,986). 'A majority of our customer base is in the automotive manufacturer and supplysector, exactly where investment in new installations or new technologies has fallen off sharply,' comments Dr. Martin Heuser, Executive Board member and company founder of the Viscom AG. 'Currently, there is considerable uncertainty regarding the future development in this market.' The EBIT margin, with -3.2 % (previous year: 8.6 %), has landed in the negative range; in absolute terms, EBIT reached a value of KEUR -1,586 (previous year: KEUR 4,482). In addition to fallen revenues, investment for worldwide expansion and a weakened US dollar with subsequently lowered margins, especially in Asia, resulted in a diminished EBIT compared to the previous year. During 2008, the Viscom AG also focused on technologies for the future: photovoltaic inspection, computed tomography, 3-D inspection. In 2008, approximately 10 % of revenue was invested in research and continued development of the inspection systems. 'Customers value our technological advantage, which we intend to develop. This is also a sound strategy when navigating in stormy waters,' emphasizes Volker Pape, Executive Board member and company founder of the Viscom AG. At KEUR -1,707 (previous year: KEUR 3,559), net profit for the past business year clearly did not meet the expected level. 'Fortunately, our liquidity is very good. Nonetheless, short to medium term predictions do not indicate a definite recovery in the market. This is why we have introduced comprehensive measures to lower our costs' states Ulrich Mohr, Executive Board member and financial officer of the Viscom AG. 'Operating expenses worldwide were cut; in addition we were compelled to reduce the number of our employees.' Order backlog at year end 2008 stood at KEUR 6,198 (previous year, KEUR 14,200). Incoming orders, at KEUR 41,913, were evidently below the previous year's level (KEUR 57,700). Reduction in these two key figures can be attributed to the investment reluctance prevailing amongst our customers at present. At the Annual General Meeting on 18 June 2009, the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board will recommend that no dividends will be distributed for the business year 2008. The difficult economic position and unpredictable market development prevent the Executive Board of the Viscom AG from issuing a reliable forecast for the business year 2009. Insofar as this notice contains prognoses or expectations or concerns statements regarding the future, these statements may be marked by risk and uncertainty. Thus we cannot guarantee that the expectations will prove themselves correct. Actual events and developments may deviate significantly from the expectations and assumptions expressed herein. Among the factors which may cause deviation are changes in the general economic situation, the competitive situation, exchange rates, interest rates and changes in national and international laws, among others. Thus the company assumes no responsibility to update the statements conveyed within this notice. Key figures of the Viscom AG Company information Key figures (KEUR) FY 2008 FY 2007 Revenue 49,915 51,986 EBIT -1,586 4,482 EBIT margin -3.2 % 8.6 % Financial result 314 1,006 Income taxes -435 -1,929 Net profit for the period -1,707 3,559 Earnings per share -0.19 0.39 Number of shares 9,020,000 9,020,000 Number of weighted shares 8,895,078 9,020,000 Number of employees 412 376 Segment information Key figures (KEUR) FY 2008 FY 2007 Europe Revenue 34,629 33,737 EBIT -1,220 3,587 EBIT margin -3.5 % 10.6 % Asia Revenue 6,643 10,280 EBIT -767 511 EBIT margin -11.6 % 5.0 % Americas Revenue 8,643 7,969 EBIT 392 384 EBIT margin 4.5 % 4.8 % Contact: Viscom AG Investor Relations Sandra Göde Carl-Buderus-Str. 9-15 30455 Hannover Tel.: +49-511-94996-861 Fax: +49-511-94996-555 sandra.goede@viscom.de DGAP 27.03.2009 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Language: English Issuer: Viscom AG Carl-Buderus-Strasse 9-15 30455 Hannover Deutschland Phone: +49 (0) 511 94 996 850 Fax: +49 (0) 511 94 996 555 E-mail: sandra.goede@viscom.de Internet: www.viscom.com ISIN: DE0007846867 WKN: 784686 Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard), Hannover; Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, München, Stuttgart End of News DGAP News-Service ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DGAP-News: Viscom AG:Key Company Figures 2008 - Global Economic Crisis Reaches Hanover Inspection System Manufacturer
| Source: EQS Group AG