- 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