06/05/2008 07:34:00 CEST
New orders for laser scribing systems for the production of thin-film solar modules drive corporate growth
- Revenue forecast for fiscal year 2008 lifted to EUR 235 – 240 million with sustained EBIT growth
The Manz Group, a leading technology provider in terms of its
market shares for systems and components for automation, quality assurance and laser process technology for the photovoltaic industry as well as automation and wet chemical process systems for the LCD industry, has received new orders with a total volume of EUR 65 million.
The orders comprise the delivery of machines for the production of thin-film solar modules and crystalline solar cells. A key component of this order is the supply of laser scribing
systems for the production of thin-film solar modules, underscoring the Manz Group's global leadership for these systems. The machines will be shipped to customers in both 2008 and 2009. CEO Dieter Manz is very pleased about the successful order book, which is enjoying dynamic growth: “Once again, our strong technological competence and high quality was a key factor in winning these new orders. In view of the dynamic growth on the thin-film market, which experts believe will double each year, we are very optimistic that we will also be able
to expand our market leadership for laser scribing systems in future.”
The Manz Group's order book has thus increased to more than EUR 220 million. For the first time, more than half of the order book is generated by the business unit thin-film. As the order book will already impact revenues and earnings in fiscal year 2008, the Managing Board has lifted its revenue forecast to EUR 235 – 240 million (previously: EUR 210 – 215 million) for the current fiscal year. In addition, the Managing Board expects a sustained increase in EBIT.