31.01.2005 – 07:38

Basler AG

euro adhoc: Basler Vision Technologies AG
Annual Reports / Preliminary figures for Basler show record turnover and earnings for 2004

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  The issuer is responsible for the content of this announcement.

31.01.2005

Preliminary figures for Basler show record turnover and earnings for
2004

- Record turnover of Euro 52.3 million, +47% vis-à-vis 2003 
- Record pre-tax earnings of Euro 5.1 million (2003: Euro 0.7
million) 
- Change in management: John Jennings appointed as Chief Commercial
Officer

Ahrensburg, 31 January 2005 - Basler AG, the leading company for
Vision Technology, the technology on which artificial vision systems
are based, has achieved the best-ever results in the company’s
history according to preliminary figures for 2004.

Turnover for 2004 rose by 47% to Euro 52.3 million (2003: Euro 35.7
million).  Both company divisions played their part in contributing
to this success. Vision Components (high-performance cameras for
industrial applications) increased turnover by 26% from Euro 13.0
million (2003) to Euro 16.4 million (2004), while Vision Systems
(turn-key inspection systems for mass production) boosted its
turnover by 58% from Euro 22.7 million (2003) to Euro 35.9 million
(2004). The increase in turnover is mainly attributable to product
innovation which has broadened the company’s share of all target
markets.

Higher turnover together with optimized productivity has lead to
pre-tax earnings for 2004 of Euro 5.1 million (2003: Euro 0.7
million). A positive tax-result of Euro +1.7 million yielded a net
result of Euro 6.9 million (2003: Euro 3.0 million). Net earnings per
share improved by 131% reaching Euro 1,96 (2003: Euro 0,85).
In spite of the strong increase in turnover, a positive net cash flow
for 2004 of Euro 1.5 million was still recorded (2003: Euro 1.4
million).

Overall order income of Euro 50 million was achieved for 2004 - an
increase of 12% compared to the previous year (2003: Euro 44.9
million).

These provisional figures are awaiting attestation by the auditors
and approval by the Supervisory Body. The definitive figures together
with the annual report will be presented at the press conference to
be given for the publication of the financial statement on 9th March.

Based on conservative estimates for the 2005 financial year, company
management expects a slight increase in turnover in the lower one
digit percentage region with good profitability similar to that of
2004. From today’s perspective it is expected that the first and
fourth quarter of 2005 will be weaker than in the previous year,
whilst the second and third quarter of 2005 should prove more vital
than they were in 2004.

The 1st February 2005 will see the introduction of a new division of
tasks and responsibilities for the management board of Basler AG.
During these moves Chief Operations Officer Axel Dancker will be
leaving the company on 31st March 2005 after three years service. And
the board will be welcoming John Jennings (41), former Managing
Director of the US subsidiary Basler Inc., who will take up the post
of Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). As of 1st February 2005 the
responsibilities of the management board will be structured as
follows:

Dietmar Ley (CEO): business units, research & development, personnel;

Peter Krumhoff (CFO/COO): finances, production, procurement,
logistics,  communications, administration;

John Jennings (CCO): sales, international operations.

end of announcement                    euro adhoc 31.01.2005 07:01:19 

Further inquiry note:

Christian Höck
Tel.: +49 (0)4102 463 175
E-Mail: christian.hoeck@baslerweb.com

Branche: Semiconductors & active components
ISIN: DE0005102008
WKN: 510200
Index: Prime Standard, CDAX, Prime All Share, Technologie All Share
Börsen: Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse / regulated dealing
Berliner Wertpapierbörse / free trade
Hamburger Wertpapierbörse / free trade
Baden-Württembergische Wertpapierbörse / free trade
Börse Düsseldorf / free trade
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Bremer Wertpapierbörse (BWB) / free trade

Original content of: Basler AG, transmitted by news aktuell