Corporate | 28 September 2009 07:57
Manz Automation AG / Miscellaneous
28.09.2009
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- New orders and declarations of intent worth more than EUR 5 million
acquired
- Further orders expected in the coming weeks
- Presentation of six new machines underscores Manz Automation's innovation
lead
Reutlingen, September 28, 2009 - Manz Automation AG, one of the world's
leading technology providers for the photovoltaic and LCD industry, has
acquired a large number of new orders at the 24th European Photovoltaic
Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition in Hamburg. This is the most
important event in the industry, and during the fair the company acquired
orders and declarations of intent with a volume of more than EUR 5 million.
These will mostly be recognized in revenues and earnings in the coming
fiscal year. The solar sector showed its dynamic nature at the trade fair,
setting initial positive signals after the weak first half of 2009.
Together with its strategic alliance partner Roth & Rau, Manz Automation
had one of the largest stands at the exhibition. The company attracted a
huge number of interested, expert visitors with its presentation of
high-tech machines in action. In particular the new equipment and system
solutions underlined the company's innovation leadership in direct
comparison with its competitors.
Dieter Manz, Manz Automation AG's CEO, drew a positive balance: 'We are
still the world's leading technology provider for the photovoltaic sector -
and the Hamburg trade fair showed this once again. We proved our position
as an industry innovation driver yet again by presenting three new
thin-film and three new crystalline products.' In particular, Dieter Manz
highlighted the advantages this equipment offers solar-sector
manufacturers: 'Using our machines allows major increases in efficiency to
be achieved for both technologies. In particular given the current market,
state-of-the-art - and thus cost-efficient - product lines are a key
competitive advantage.' The focus was on new features that both increase
the solar cells' efficiency and can cut operating costs for solar cell
manufacturers. The state-of-the-art line for PSG etching for crystalline
solar cells (cSi), for which the process technology was developed together
with Frauenhofer ISE, yet again significantly decreases the breakage rates
for wafers in the line. In addition, this line has been designed so that a
significantly lower amount of chemicals are needed compared to competitors'
equipment. That cuts the ongoing costs for running the line. The new
machine already allows throughput rates of more than 3,000 wafers/hour.
Manz Automation presented a particular highlight in the form of its Laser
Multi Tool (cSi), which is also used for crystalline solar cells. This
laboratory machine allows various laser processes for high-efficiency cells
to be evaluated quickly and reliably, thus accelerating the development of
new cell processes. Manz provided a live demonstration of a laser process
to generate selective emitters at the trade fair. This process allows a 0.5
percentage point improvement in the efficiency of solar cells to be
achieved. Many customers showed great interest in this process - which can
also be retrofitted to existing lines. As a result, a significant increase
in the profitability of older lines is achieved.
The Reutlingen-based engineering company also presented new equipment for
thin-film technology (tfs), in particular new features for laser scribing.
An innovative control system allows significantly greater precision in the
process, which generates an increase in the solar modules' efficiency. Manz
is currently the only provider to offer this solution, and is thus
confident that it will be able to further increase its leading position on
the market for laser scribing equipment in future.
The company has succeeded in making key progress with yet another first -
its system solution to laser-cut glass substrates. In addition to the
utmost in precision, an increase in process speed and the lowest breakage
rates, laser-cut substrates are significantly more stable than their
predecessors, which were produced using mechanical processes. This is due
to the avoidance of micro cracks at the cut edges. The increased stability
makes a major contribution to reduce the failure rates from breakages in
installed solar modules.
In addition, Manz also presented new equipment for TCO texturing (tfs).
This roughens the glass substrates by etching them, thus increasing the
surface area of the solar module. As a result, efficiency is improved. In
developing this line, Manz again benefited from its expertise in and
synergies with the LCD sector. These new technical milestones underscore
the company's technology leadership for production equipment for thin-film
solar modules.
Another trend which is accelerating in dynamism is the niche market for
building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV). Here too, Manz is able to fulfill
manufacturers' requirements in the thin-film sector with its system
solutions. Manz Automation has acquired a new customer in this segment -
Malibu GmbH & Co. KG. This company stems from a joint venture between E.ON
and Schüco.
Moreover, another key customer has ordered a line to automate the loading
of thin-film substrates.
Furthermore, customers are asking, in particular, for solutions to make
their existing equipment more competitive for the next few months. Manz is
thus adapting to the market's current requirements and is offering its
customers the possibility of exchanging individual machines within a
production line, or to expand their lines. This allows production costs to
be cut and the efficiency of the solar cells and modules produced to be
increased. These upgrades cost between EUR 1.5 and EUR 3.0 million, and
give solar-sector manufacturers the latitude they need for a transitional
period.
Dieter Manz also stated that in future the company will continue the course
it has taken to date. It will further enhance its research activities this
year. 'We have made in-depth preparations for the next wave of investments.
Our engineers have set new standards in developing highly-efficient and
highly-integrated machines,' commented the CEO, explaining the progress
that Manz has made. 'This means that we have laid the technology
foundations required to further increase our position on the market.'
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, metallization and 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.
Investor relations contact:
cometis AG
Ulrich Wiehle / Dominic Großmann
Tel.: +49 (0)611 - 205855-15
Fax: +49 (0)611 - 205855-66
E-Mail: grossmann@cometis.de
28.09.2009 Financial News transmitted by DGAP
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Language: English
Company: 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
Indices: TecDAX
Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr
in Berlin, München, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart
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