Corporate | 26 February 2008 07:30
SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES AG / Preliminary Results
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Press information
SINGULUS achieves forecasts for 2007
• 2007: revenue totals € 229.5 million
• Positive EBIT
• Optimistic view of future prospects based on Blu-ray and solar activities
• New Blu-ray orders
Kahl am Main, February 26, 2008 – On the basis of provisional, unaudited
figures the SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES Group (SINGULUS) generated revenue of €
229.5 million in the 2007 financial year, thus easily achieving its own
forecast. As a result of strategic adjustment of the portfolio (BESS and
ETA-Optik), the revenue volume was down on the previous year's figure of €
283.1 million. The operating result (EBIT) for the period under review
amounts to approximately EUR 1,0 million.
The volume of orders received in 2007 as a whole amounted to € 203,0
million (2006: € 319 million) with the year-on-year figure for the 4th
quarter down at € 35,4 million (€ 46 million). The development in orders
received was shaped substantially by the protracted battle between Blu-ray
and HD DVD to become the dominant format, which was finally resolved at the
start of 2008. The volume of orders in hand amounted to € 55,8 million at
December 31, 2007 (previous year € 81.5 million).
Expectations for 2008: kick-off for investment in Blu-ray facilities
Following Toshiba's decision, Blu-ray is now confirmed as the next
generation of optical storage media. 'As a leading international
manufacturer of Blu-ray disc production lines, we stand to benefit
long-term from this market trend. It will already show through in the
current financial year. We have already received initial Blu-ray orders,'
declared Stefan A. Baustert, CEO of SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES AG. SINGULUS
expects to sell at least 15 Blu-ray machines in 2008. The acquisition of
Oerlikon's Blu-ray activities will also positively influence business in
the optical disc core business area.
Solar – a new growth segment
In addition to momentum from the Blu-ray market, the acquisition of STANGL
Semiconductor Equipment AG will have a positive effect on the company's
further development. SINGULUS has gained strategically important market
access to the solar industry. As expected, the subsidiary STANGL was able
to maintain its dynamic revenue growth in the year under review. SINGULUS
envisages the systematic strategic development of the new business area
over the next few years. To that end, SINGULUS is planning to develop a
new, innovative coating concept for solar Si cell production in 2008.
Optimistic view of future prospects
On the strength of solar business and the anticipated upswing in optical
disc core business, SINGULUS expects to see a positive development over the
next few financial years. 'We have made strategically important
preparations for SINGULUS' future profitable growth in entering solar
business and bolstering our mainstay of optical disc through the
acquisition of Oerlikon's Blu-ray operations,' added Baustert.
SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES AG will be publishing its full report on the 2007
financial year on March 28, 2008 in Frankfurt.
Brief profile of SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES
SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES is the market leader for optical disc production
lines and the only manufacturer in the world to offer the full product
range: mastering, moulding and replication lines.
In addition to the further development of optical disc core business,
diversification into new areas is its principal strategic challenge.
SINGULUS has gained a foothold in solar systems business through its
acquisition of STANGL AG Semiconductor Equipment AG. The new Solar Division
will be expanded rapidly over the next few years.
SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES AG, Hanauer Landstrasse 103,
D-63796 Kahl am Main, Germany, ISIN: DE0007238909, WKN: 723890
For further information, please contact:
Bernhard Krause, Corporate Communications
SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES AG, tel.: + 49 (0)170 92029 24
26.02.2008 Financial News transmitted by DGAP
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Language: English
Issuer: SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES AG
Hanauer Landstrasse 103
63796 Kahl am Main
Deutschland
Phone: +49 (0)6188 440-105
Fax: +49 (0)6188 440-110
E-mail: maren.schuster@singulus.de
Internet: www.singulus.de
ISIN: DE0007238909
WKN: 723890
Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr
in Berlin, Stuttgart, München, Hamburg, Düsseldorf
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