During the reporting year 2006, the Swiss Exhibition Group achieved the second best results in its history. With an income of CHF 218.1 million, the group profit amounts to CHF 13.8 million. Therewith and in spite of a substantially weaker rotation conditioned own exhibition program in 2006 compared to the one of 2005, the results of 2006 only lie slightly below last year's results.
The consolidated results of Swiss Exhibtion Group in 2006 show an income of CHF 218.1 million (CHF 221.9 million in the previous year) and a cash flow of CHF 48.3 million (CHF 60.6 million). Taking into account depreciations of CHF 34.5 million (CHF 46.1 million), a group profit of CHF 13.8 million (CHF 14.6 million) has been obtained. The transacted investments summon up to CHF 20.4 million (CHF 32.7 million).
In view of these results, the Board of Directors will propose the distribution of a dividend of CHF 5.00 per share at the Annual General Meeting of 14 May 2007. During the financial year, the share value of Swiss Exhibition increased from CHF 378.00 to CHF 445.00. Momentarily, the value exceeds CHF 530.00. Since its quotation at the stock exchange in 2001, its share value increased by more than 60%, and compared to its lowest value in spring 2003 by more than 400%.
Still the even years are weaker than the odd years regarding the own exhibition program, since exhibitions such as Swissbau, Igeho, Ineltec and others only take place every two years, which reflects in the business results. Therefore, Swiss Exhibition is very satisfied with these results, although slightly below the ones of 2005, but well above those of 2004.
Besides the success of the own exhibitions with in pole position the international leading exhibitions - the World Watch and Jewellery Show BASELWORLD and the international art fairs Art Basel and Art Basel Miami Beach - Winkler Veranstaltungstechnik AG also made a notable contribution to the excellent business results. During its first full year of relationship with Swiss Exhibition, the company performed an increase in income of 47% and therewith contributed to the fact that last even year's fluctuations were clearly cancelled compared to previous cycles.
In total 44 exhibitions took place at both locations - Basel and Zurich - involving more than 13,000 exhibiting companies and generating about 1.5 million visitors. 16 amongst them were own exhibitions of Swiss Exhibition in Basel and Zurich, adding to this Art Basel Miami Beach. The own exhibitions summoned up over 7,000 exhibiting companies and more than one million visitors.
A study of Swiss Exhibition and the BAK Basel Economics shows that these activities yearly generate for suppliers and services providers a direct and indirect turnover of about CHF 4,000 million. With such a turnover, an added value for Switzerland of nearly CHF 2 000 million is created, involving about 20,000 jobs as well as yearly tax incomes for the Confederation, the cantons and the communities of more than CHF 300 million. The effects of the subsidiaries in the sector of event services have thereby not even been taken into account.
The year under review shows that the setting of new strategic directions and the implemented measures have come to fruition in the last years. The business strategy of expanding the business activity close to the core business consisting of own exhibitions within the field of event services has been pursued during the year 2006 under review: per 1 January 2007, Swiss Exhibition took over the renowned and successful Expomobilia AG, belonging to leading stand building companies in Switzerland and worldwide active. Its offer ranges from system stand constructions to complex customized solutions and global full service packages. More than 60% of its turnover is generated abroad.
With its high quality own exhibition portfolio, its own exhibition and congress centres in Basel and Zurich and its service offer within the range of event technologies and stand building, Swiss Exhibition positions itself today as an international live-marketing company. With its exhibitions, it not only creates unique marketing platforms, but also offers the exhibiting companies in Switzerland and abroad a total range of exhibition participation relevant services. Furthermore, Swiss Exhibition is active in the residual event market.
Swiss Exhibition can therewith substantially strengthen its market position in the international competition. The strong own exhibition program, the acquisition effects within the field of event services as well as the favourable economic climate will let achieve Swiss Exhibition new record results during 2007.
Media contact
Christian Jecker
Head of Corporate Communications
Phone: +41 58 206 22 52
MCH Swiss Exhibition (Holding) Ltd.
CH-4005 Basel
Information
The Annual Report 2006 and the documents for the Annual General Meeting 2007 will be dispatched on 19 April 2007. The Annual General Meeting of MCH Swiss Exhibition (Holding) Ltd. will take place on 14 May 2007 in Congress Center Basel.
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