Kahl am Main, May 8, 2008. In the 1st quarter 2008 SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES (SINGULUS) experienced a significant increase in the key figures order intake and order backlog. As a result of the weak order intake in the second half of 2007 sales in the 1st quarter 2008 were below previous year’s level however.
With a focus on the segments Blu-ray Disc and Solar an order intake in the amount of € 84.4 million (previous year: € 60.4 million) was achieved in the quarter under review. Accordingly, the order intake was 39.7 % higher than in the same period one year ago. “The order intake shows a positive trend. This is the important sign for us that the bottom has been left behind", comments Stefan A. Baustert, CEO of SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES. The order backlog rose to € 109.9 million (previous year: € 92.1 million). The general market weakness in the Optical Disc segment in the previous year and the still prevailing format dispute in 2007 only resulted in realized sales in the total amount of € 30.3 million in the 1st quarter 2008 (previous year: € 49.8 million) and an EBIT of € 0.3 million. This includes a one-time positive earnings effect totaling € 15.6 million.
SINGULUS expects sustained growth for equipment for the production of Blu-ray Discs. SINGULUS has a unique market position worldwide in the Blu-ray Disc technology. Overall, the order intake of 21 machines in total for the BLULINE type in the 1st quarter 2008 confirms the positive expectations of the company for third generation of optical discs.
With the acquisition of the solar equipment manufacturer STANGL in fall 2007 SINGULUS was successful in gaining access to the strong-growing market for solar technology. Stefan A. Baustert: “We are convinced that the two core business divisions Optical Disc and Solar form an attractive combination for the risk management in the sense of a broader portfolio and for the new positioning of the Group and hence look optimistically into the future with respect to the development of the company�.
SINGULUS consolidated key figures pursuant to IFRS (unaudited) | ||||
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1st quarter | 2007 | 2008 | ||
Sales (gross) | in mn. € | 49.8 | 30.3 | |
Order intake | in mn. € | 60.4 | 84.4 | |
Order backlog as of March 31 | in mn. € | 92.1 | 109.9 | |
EBIT | in mn. € | 0.2 | 0.3 | |
EBITDA | in mn. € | 4.9 | 9.9 | |
Consolidated net profit | in mn. € | 0.7 | 0 | |
Earnings per share | in € | 0.02 | 0.01 | |
Number of employees |
| 699 | 758 | |
Short profile SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES
SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES is market leader for optical disc production lines and is the only supplier worldwide to cover the entire product range: mastering, molding and replication lines.
In addition to the further development of the core activities of Optical Disc, the diversification into new work areas is the most important challenge.
With the acquisition of the STANGL Semiconductor Equipment AG SINGULUS successfully entered the solar equipment market. The new business area Solar will be strongly expanded in the next couple of years.