Ad-hoc | 24 May 2002 01:12

Dr. Hönle AG english

State of the economy and build-up of subsidiaries influence results Ad-hoc-announcement transmitted by DGAP. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ——————————————————————————– State of the economy and build-up of subsidiaries influence results / Planning adjustment for 2002 Hönle, one of the leading suppliers of industrial UV technology, achieved sales of EUR 3.7 million in the second quarter of 2001/2002 compared to EUR 4.3 million in the same previous year’s period. Sales generated during the first six months of the current year were EUR 6.8 million as against EUR 9.1 million in the first half of the last year. The decline in sales primarily results from the continued weak economy and important industrial nations’ lasting reluctance to invest. Despite this economic trend, Hönle succeeded in achieving a positive result in the second quarter. EBIT amounted to EUR 0.2 million (Q2 2000/2001: EUR 0.8 million) following EUR -0.3 million in the first quarter; consolidated results came to EUR 0.2 million (Q2 2000/2001: EUR 0.5 million) after EUR -0.04 million in the first quarter. In effect, income after taxes amounted to EUR 0.2 million in the first six months of 2001/2002 and EBIT was EUR – 0.1 million. However, comparison of these figures with those of the first half of 2000/2001 – result: EUR 1.0 million, EBIT: EUR 2.0 million – indicates the difficult economic environment in which Hönle still finds itself. Results were additionally influenced by the build-up of the three new subsidiaries, Aladin, a producer of UV lamps, Wellomer, a producer of UV -adhesives, and Honle Spain. At present Hönle records a significant growth in inquiries from potential customers. In contrast to previous years, however, it is difficult to forecast figures for the coming quarter on the basis of the number of these inquiries and current projects; quite certainly, however, they indicate that the UV market will pick up again in the medium term. In view of the current economic downturn, Hönle expects sales to lag behind the previous year’s level. The Company is confident, however, that positive results can be achieved despite the additional adverse effects associated with the build-up of the new subsidiaries. Hönle expects considerable sales and income growth for the next financial year. For more information please contact: http://www.hoenle.de, Dr. Hönle AG, Peter Weinert, Investor Relations Manager, Fraunhoferstr. 5, 82152 Planegg/Munich, Tel.: 089-85 608-173, Fax: 089-85 608-148, E-Mail: ir@hoenle.de end of ad-hoc-announcement (c)DGAP 23.05.2002 Issuer’s information/explanatory remarks concerning this ad-hoc-announcement: Since the autumn of 2001, Hönle has systematically extended its range of services. The build-up of its two subsidiaries, Aladin GmbH and Wellomer GmbH, is of great significance in the Company’s strategy to become a systems supplier on the UV technology market. Aladin develops and produces high-performance UV lamps, a central component in any Hönle facility, and has been able to increase its sales continuously ever since the start of production in November 2001. From the summer onwards, Hönle also expects that initial sales will be generated by Wellomer GmbH, founded on January 1, a producer of UV adhesives and casting compounds. Thanks to Wellomer, the company is now in a position to provide its customers with UV facilities and adhesives that are ideally adapted to the respective processes. Moreover, with the build-up of Honle Spain, the group increased its presence on an important European market and is now represented through its own branches on four of the five largest EU markets. The Company therefore considers that it will be well positioned on the UV technology market as soon as the economy picks up again and the investment blockage comes to an end. The extension of its competence as a systems supplier through a systematic broadening of its value added chain as well as the growing number of its own development projects – it was only in March 2002 that the company together with BASF introduced a new UV system – will provide a sound basis for benefitting greatly from a recovering economy. ——————————————————————————– WKN: 515710; ISIN: DE0005157101; Index: Listed: Neuer Markt in Frankfurt; Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München und Stuttgart 240112 Mai 02