Manz Automation AG with record-breaking results in fiscal year 2008

02/25/2009 07:46:00 CET

Best earnings ever in the company’s history

  • Revenues more than triple to € 236.5 million according to preliminary figures
  • EBIT up more than 185% to around € 28.6 million
  • EBIT margin of 12.1% in fiscal year 2008

Manz Automation AG, one of the worlds’s leading technology providers for the photovoltaic and LCD industries, recorded significant revenue and profit growth last fiscal year, and thus new record-breaking results. According to preliminary figures, the Manz Group increased its revenues from € 71.3 million last year by more than 232% to € 236.5 million. The fourth quarter of 2008 alone contributed € 77.4 million to revenues (previous year: € 24.5 million). At the same time, Manz almost tripled its total operating revenue to € 234.8 million (previous year: € 81.5 million). This positive growth was based not only on strong operating growth in the solar sector, but also the successful integration of the three companies acquired in fiscal year 2008. This means that Manz has significantly expanded both its product portfolio by adding new technologies, and also its production capacity.

Growth last fiscal year was again driven by the systems.solar division, where revenues were up € 51.1 million to € 141.5 million. The systems.lcd segment also made a major contribution to revenues of € 46.5 million (previous year: € 8.7 million), due in particular to Manz Intech Machines Co., Ltd. which has been consolidated since April 2008.

The company's EBIT increased from € 10.0 million to around € 28.6 million – this figure thus also almost tripled. In the fourth quarter of 2008, the result from operating activities totaled € 9.8 million. This means that the EBIT margin for 2008 as a whole (in terms of revenues recorded) was 12.1%.

CEO Dieter Manz is very pleased with the record-breaking year: "We reached key strategic milestones last year. These include significantly increasing our capacity and integrating innovative technologies in our product range. And that's what it takes to further expand our technology leadership and develop new markets!" At the same time, Dieter Manz is also optimistic about what the future holds: "We will conquer the challenges that face us, and we are very confident that we will be able to link in to the substantial growth rates we enjoyed in the past after mastering the economic crisis. Our strong research and development competence, long-standing strategic alliances and our solid position on international markets are the key foundations in this regard!"

As of December 31, 2008, the Manz Group's order book totaled around € 107 million, and the bulk of this will be recognized in revenues and earnings in fiscal year 2009. Over the long-term, photovoltaic will play a key role in the global energy mix, securing the electricity supply. That is why experts in the solar sector are forecasting substantial increases in growth rates again in the coming years. As a leading provider of system solutions in automation, quality assurance, laser process technology and wet chemicals, Manz Automation is thus excellently positioned to be able to enjoy substantial benefits from this trend.

The full figures for fiscal year 2008 will be published together with the annual report on March 31, 2009.

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