STRATEC Biomedical Systems AG / Final Results 08.04.2009 Release of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- STRATEC publishes final figures for the 2008 financial year and expects strong growth in 2009 - Sales of Euro 61 million - Consolidated net income of Euro 8.2 million * - EBIT margin of 18.4% - Record dividend of Euro 0.35 per share (+59%) due to very good business outlook and strong cash position - Equity ratio of 71.3% - 2009 financial guidance for sales growth of between 20% and 30% and EBIT margin of between 18.5% to 19.5% forecast for 2009 - Further growth in employee totals * Excluding a non-operative one-off expense of Euro 2.1 million due to a valuation adjustment Birkenfeld, April 8, 2009 With the publication of its 2008 Annual Report today, STRATEC Biomedical Systems AG has announced its final figures in accordance with IFRS for the 2008 financial year. These have been audited and granted an unqualified audit opinion. Financial report STRATEC recorded sales of Euro 60.97 million (previous year: Euro 67.53 million), EBIT of Euro 11.23 million (previous year: Euro 14.32 million) and EBT of Euro 11.48 million * (previous year: Euro 14.52 million) in the 2008 financial year. Consolidated net income amounted to Euro 8.2 million * (previous year: Euro 10.0 million). Earnings per share amounted to Euro 0.72 (previous year: Euro 0.88) and to Euro 0.54 prior to adjustment. The EBIT margin amounted to 18.4% despite higher costs due to increased research activity and preparations for the forthcoming market launches of new systems in 2009. At Euro 19.2 million, the volume of cash holdings as of December 31, 2008 remained at a constant level (previous year: Euro 19.9 million). The equity ratio amounted to 71.3% (previous year: 72.6%). Dividend proposal In view of the company's excellent capital resources and increasingly positive business outlook, a 59% increase in the dividend to Euro 0.35 per share with dividend entitlement (previous year: Euro 0.22) is to be proposed to the Annual General Meeting for approval. Personnel development The total number of employees increased further during 2008 to 284 at the end of the year (previous year: 270). This trend is set to continue through 2009. STRATEC is therefore making a valuable contribution to the development of the regional economy, even in a difficult broader economic climate. Other highlights of the 2008 financial year The technical development status achieved for new systems (as defined by the achievement of scheduled milestones) has been confirmed by our customers and is consistent with the agreed schedule of market launches for 2009 and 2010. Substantial technological progress has been made in this respect and will help STRATEC's customers and partners achieve and maintain their competitive positions in the diagnostics market. STRATEC was able to announce the conclusion of further major contracts in the 2008 financial year, and these will serve as a foundation for Company's growth in the coming years. They include agreements with QIAGEN, Bio-Rad and One-Lambda. The Company also achieved the progress level scheduled for the development of future system platforms, whose technology will find additional application in future systems at partners. As a result of the agreements announced in the past two years for the development of new molecular diagnostics systems, STRATEC is also playing a leading role as an independent instrumentation partner in this fast-growing segment of the in-vitro diagnostics market. 'The 2008 financial year was characterized by preparations for the forthcoming market launches of four new analyzer systems in 2009 and 2010,' commented Hermann Leistner, Chairman of the Board of Management of STRATEC Biomedical Systems AG. 'In a similar vein to progress made between 2002 and 2005, we have therefore laid the foundation for the next stage in the Company's growth. Even though sales fell short of expectations in 2008, the current development in turnover across our customers, and the market launches expected in 2009 and 2010, give us reason to look to the future with great confidence.' New guidance figures - sales growth of 20% to 30% in 2009, positive long-term outlook The forthcoming market launches of a total of four new analyzer systems and high visibility of a majority of call-up commitments made by customers mean that STRATEC is able to issue a positive forecast concerning developments in the current financial year. Specifically, the Company expects to generate sales growth of between 20% and 30% in 2009, achieving an EBIT margin of between 18.5% and 19.5%. Due to significant growth in the volumes of analyzer systems to be placed in 2009 and especially in 2010, we expect to achieve a similar level of sales growth, with slight margin growth, in 2010. STRATEC is currently involved in negotiations with existing and potential customers concerning several long-term development and production projects. Moreover, a number of partners have expressed their interest in extending their business relationship with STRATEC in the coming years in connection with the development of next generation system solutions. In view of this, as well as of the increasing trend towards outsourcing instrumentation among diagnostics companies, STRATEC sees great potential for long-term growth beyond 2010. Finally, and due to its strong cash position and treasury stock holdings, STRATEC believes that it is well-equipped to make selected future acquisitions with the aim of further extending the Company's technology pool. About STRATEC STRATEC Biomedical Systems AG (http://www.stratec-biomedical.de) designs and manufactures fully automated analyzer systems for its partners in the fields of clinical diagnostics and biotechnology. These partners market such systems, in general together with their own reagents, to laboratories, blood banks and research institutes around the world. The company develops its products on the basis of its own patented technologies. Shares in the company (ISIN: DE0007289001) are traded in the Prime Standard segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. The STRATEC Group consists of the publicly listed parent company STRATEC Biomedical Systems AG and of subsidiaries and second-tier subsidiaries in Germany, the USA, the UK, Switzerland and Romania. Further information can be obtained from: STRATEC Biomedical Systems AG André Loy, Investor Relations Gewerbestr. 37, 75217 Birkenfeld Germany Phone: +49 7082 7916 190 Fax: +49 7082 7916 999 Email: ir@stratec-biomedical.de DGAP 08.04.2009 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Language: English Issuer: STRATEC Biomedical Systems AG Gewerbestraße 37 75217 Birkenfeld Deutschland Phone: +49 (0)7082 7916 0 Fax: +49 (0)7082 7916 999 E-mail: info@stratec-biomedical.de Internet: www.stratec-biomedical.de ISIN: DE0007289001 WKN: 728900 Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Stuttgart, München, Düsseldorf End of News DGAP News-Service ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DGAP-News: STRATEC publishes final figures for the FY 2008 and gives outlook
| Source: EQS Group AG