The second quarter gross revenues of SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES AG, Kahl/Main of 56.8 million Euro in 2002 surpassed the year’s first quarter revenues (53.5 million Euro) as well as Q II/2001 revenues (53.1 million Euro). Cumulative revenues for the first six months of the current fiscal year totaled 110.3 million Euro compared to 104.5 million Euro for the same period last year.
At 92.1 million Euro, order intake during the second quarter of 2002 grew substantially over the previous Q I/2002 (77.5 million Euro) and the 2nd quarter of 2001 (59.9 million Euro). This increase is reflected in the “book-to-bill“ ratio which is now more than 1.6. Total order intake of 169.6 million Euro for the first half of the year surpassed the 108.6 million Euro recorded last year. The shift from CD to DVD machinery continued to gain momentum. The order backlog at the close of the period totaled 115.0 million Euro; adjusted by a major order, the equivalent period results on 6/30/01 totaled 77.9 million Euro.
SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES continues to demonstrate a high level of profitability. Within the first six months of the year, the company’s gross margin rose from 33.8 % at the half-year mark in 2001 to 36.0 % at present. The continual growth in gross margin is more clearly demonstrated by quarterly progress: a gross margin of 36.8% was achieved in Q II/2002 (prior year 33.8 %). This higher gross margin is primarily attributed to an evolving product mix and increased share of DVD machines.
Operating expenses due to additional outlays by the SINGULUS EMOULD and SINGULUS OMP companies along with start-up costs for the new TMR segment of the business rose from 14.0 million Euro last year to 18.4 million Euro for the current half-year period.
Even SINGULUS provided double funding to R & D during the first half year, EBIT numbers increased to 19.1 million Euro (19.0 million Euro) and the income after tax increased from 12.2 million. Euro last year to 12.6 million. Euro in this half year.
The transition from a design concept to a pilot system in our new TMR/MRAM business endeavor is on schedule. Marketing activities have commenced and plans are underway for participation in this year’s SEMICON JAPAN trade show to be held in Tokyo this December. The first prototypes are expected to be completed by the beginning of 2003. Our assessment of developments in the DVD line business through the end of the year is extremely positive. With substantially raised projections for over 160 DVD lines installed and accrued this fiscal year, and in view of the present market, we will capture approximately 65 % of the worldwide DVD line market.
The demand for once-recordable DVD-R replication lines presents additional opportunities for new business. Since the DVD-R is an economical format for home video recording (including all recordable PC-based content), expectations for the imminent development of a new mass market are high.
SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES contends that the machines currently comprising the order backlog will be delivered and converted into sales during the current fiscal year. In light of sustained positive business prospects, the Managing Board reaffirmed the projections it made public at the beginning of the year stating that revenues and earnings in 2002 will increase by at least 20 %.
SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES AG, Hanauer Landstrasse 103, D-63796 Kahl/Main
ISIN: DE0007238909 / WKN: 723890