Corporate | 1 July 2008 07:55
SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES AG / Strategic Company Decision
Release of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory
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The issuer / publisher is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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Press Release
SINGULUS redefines Strategy for the Recordable Optical Disc area:
• Market launch of a new machine for recordable DVDs
• Construction starts in China
• First machines already sold
Kahl am Main, July 1, 2008 – SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES (SINGULUS), the world
market leader for the manufacturing of optical storage media, is unveiling
its new STREAMLINE III production plant for the manufacturing of recordable
DVDs. The first machines of the new version have already been sold.
SINGULUS is building the new machine in China at the subsidiary SINGULUS
MANUFACTURING GUANGZHOU (SMG). The STREAMLINE III replication line is based
on the tried-and-tested SPACELINE II module. Further modules as well as the
EMOULD injection molding machine are being assembled and commissioned in
China. The new STREAMLINE III replication line has been designed
specifically for DVD R, with a cycle time of < 2.5 s. The system can,
however, also be used for manufacturing CDRs.
Stefan A. Baustert, CEO of SINGULUS, commented: 'The main market for these
lines is China. By being able to capitalize on the cost advantages of a
local assembly location, we are able to compete with Chinese manufacturers
on price and can keep increasing our market shares. Our market share for
optical disc machines in the Chinese market is currently an amazing 60 %.
We have set ourselves this same target for the new STREAMLINE III.'
Background:
SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES and its long-standing partner VIKA, Hong Kong,
established the joint venture SINGULUS MANUFACTURING GUANGZHOU in Guangzhou
in 2006, as an assembly location for replication lines of pre-recorded DVDs
for the Chinese market. SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES has a 51 % interest in this
company. DVD systems and EMOULD injection molding machines are assembled at
the 10,000 m2 facility in Guangzhou and sold in the Chinese market. SMG
employed a total workforce of 41 at Guangzhou at December 31, 2007.
Short profile of SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES AG
SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES is the world market leader for optical disc
production lines for CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray Discs, and the only manufacturer
to offer the full product range: mastering, molding and replication lines.
In addition to the further development of optical disc core business,
diversification into the new area of solar is its principal strategic goal.
STANGL and SINGULUS will systematically expand their solar activities.
STANGL is currently one of the few suppliers of wet-chemical machines for
both crystalline silicon solar technology and thin-film solar technology,
with growth rates in excess of 40 %. SINGULUS is set to unveil its own
solar coating machine in 2008, based on its wealth of experience in the
core area of optical discs. It will be able to tap into STANGL's experience
and market knowledge for this move. In March 2008 SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES
teamed up with Q-Cells, the most important solar cell producer worldwide,
for the development of this new machine and won the company as a key
customer.
Together with the equipment made by STANGL, SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES will then
be able to offer two important machine groups with wet-chemical and vacuum
coating processes for a production line for crystalline silicon solar
cells. The goal is to strengthen its global position for production
equipment for crystalline solar cells 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, PR/Investor Relations, Tel.: + 49 (0)170 9202924
01.07.2008 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
End of News DGAP News-Service
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