05/06/2013 14:03:00 CEST
- Current order backlog of around EUR 142 million: highest level since over 2.5 years
- Almost entire technology portfolio successfully deployed in Display division
- Dynamic market trends in smart phones and tablet computers: very positive prospects in the display area to continue for the full year 2013
Manz AG, one of the world's leading high-tech engineering companies with its extensive technology portfolio for the three strategic business areas "Display", "Solar" and "Battery", has won further major follow-up and new orders in its Display division with a total volume worth around EUR 45 million during recent weeks. As a consequence the very dynamic trends of order incomes in production equipment for the display sector that have been witnessed since the start of this year are continuing. Customers are among others leading Asian suppliers to the smart phone and tablet computer industry. The current order backlog amounts to around EUR 142 million in total and therefore is more than 40% ahead of the comparable period of the previous year. These new orders will become effective in terms of revenue and earnings largely in the third and fourth quarters of 2013.
The excellent order backlog in the Display division impressively reflects the success of Manz AG's corporate strategy. Over the past years, Manz has successfully transferred almost its entire technology portfolio to display industry applications. With machinery and equipment in the areas of wet chemistry, automation, laser process technology, vacuum coating and screen printing, the company offers the sector efficient production processes for displays, touch sensors and other components of smart phones and tablet computers. Manz has received numerous follow-up orders from existing customers since the beginning of this year, and has also convinced new customers of the quality of its production equipment. This development provides evidence of the strong market position that Manz AG has meanwhile established in this area. Along with this strong technological positioning, a further critical factor for success on the market is the company's new production site in Suzhou, China, which was launched in May of last year. After just one year, this plant is operating at full capacity utilisation, and is making a significant contribution to the successful processing of the order book position.
Dieter Manz, CEO and founder of Manz AG, commented as follows: "Our Display division has established itself as a very profitable and high-growth pillar within Manz AG's business model over the past years. This division now contributes the largest proportion of our total revenue. And also future prospects remain very positive. The market for mobile devices such as touch sensors, smart phones and tablet computers remains characterised by highly dynamic growth. Smart phones' global share outstripped conventional mobile phones for the first time in the first quarter of 2013. Overall, we notice the growing utilisation of touchpanel displays in an increasing number of new devices at all significant manufacturers. As the market leader in many applications, this market trend continues to offer us major sales potential in the future. Together with our current order backlog of around EUR 142 million, I consequently see excellent opportunities for our company to report a positive business development in the current 2013 financial year."
