euro adhoc: Basler AG
Financial Figures/Balance Sheet
Basler announces
preliminary 2006 results: substantial increase in turnover and
earnings
Disclosure announcement transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer is responsible for the content of this announcement.
23.01.2007
Basler announces preliminary 2006 results: substantial increase in turnover and earnings
. Turnover: Euro 51.9 million, +15% compared to 2005 . Net earnings: Euro 3.0 million, +25% compared to 2005 . Further profitable growth expected in 2007
Ahrensburg, 23 January 2007 - Basler AG, one of the most innovative growth companies in Vision Technology, ended the year 2006 with a substantial increase in turnover and earnings. Turnover rose by 15% to Euro 51.9 million (2005: Euro 45.0 million). In 2006, the group's incoming order volume went up by 17% to Euro 55.0 million (2005: Euro 47.0 million).
The Vision Components division (industrial digital cameras), which recorded a 48% increase in turnover to Euro 23.3 million (2005: Euro 15.8 million), contributed the lion's share to Basler's growth. Only nine years after its inception, the Vision Components division has now established itself in a very promising position among the three global leaders supplying digital camera solutions to capital goods producers. At the end of 2006, with the introduction of over 40 innovative camera models, this extraordinary market success was expanded and consolidated further, turning Vision Components the group's main growth driver.
The Vision Systems division (turn-key inspection systems for mass production) maintained a stable turnover figure at Euro 28.6 million (2005: Euro 29.1 million). Substantial growth rates were achieved in the field of inspection solutions for the flat screen industry (turnover +24% compared to 2005). New products and a favourable investment climate in this area helped balance up relatively weak demand in the field of inspection systems used for the production of optical storage media and the rubber and elastomer industry. In 2007, Basler expects renewed growth in the system field. Amongst others, this growth is to be generated from turnover in the field of inspection systems for the solar industry which received our first pilot facilities in the second half of 2006. In addition, we expect a further positive effect on demand from our product range expansion and an improvement in framework conditions.
In 2006, turnover growth and optimised productivity led to a disproportional increase in preliminary pre-tax earnings by 28% to Euro 4.6 million (2005: Euro 3.6 million). Preliminary net earnings rose by 25% from Euro 2.4 million (2005) to Euro 3.0 million (2006). This figure translates into a slight (6%) improvement in the net margin (2005: 5%) and earnings per share of Euro 0.86 (2005: Euro 0.68 Euro).
Hence, Basler achieved both the turnover and the preliminary earnings forecasts made at the start of the year 2006 (turnover: over Euro 50 million and net earnings around Euro 3 million). However, the further increase that was forecasted during the year (up to Euro 53 million turnover and up to Euro 4 million net earnings) was not fully achieved. This was due to the fact that following the initial positive development involving key customers in the field of colour filter inspection systems, investment conditions in the flat screen industry deteriorated in the second half of the year.
Basler's preliminary figures are subject to the auditor's certificate and the supervisory board's approval. The final figures, the 2006 company report and the 2007 forecast will be published on 14 March during the annual press conference.
With respect to the year 2007, Basler AG is well prepared for further expansion of its promising position in the vision technology growth market and expects profitable growth. The incoming order volume in 2006, which exceeded turnover by 6%, is the first factor supporting this expectation.
end of announcement euro adhoc 23.01.2007 09:50:20
Further inquiry note:
Basler AG, Peter Krumhoff (CFO), An der Strusbek 60-62, 22926 Ahrensburg, Tel.
+49(0)4102-463175, ir@baslerweb.com, www.baslerweb.com, ISIN DE
0005102008
Branche: Semiconductors & active components
ISIN: DE0005102008
WKN: 510200
Index: CDAX, Prime All Share, Technologie All Share
Börsen: Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse / regulated dealing/prime
standard
Börse Berlin-Bremen / free trade
Hamburger Wertpapierbörse / free trade
Baden-Württembergische Wertpapierbörse / free trade
Börse Düsseldorf / free trade
Bayerische Börse / free trade
Original content of: Basler AG, transmitted by news aktuell