23.01.2007 – 10:27

Basler AG

euro adhoc: Basler AG
Financial Figures/Balance Sheet
Basler announces preliminary 2006 results: substantial increase in turnover and earnings

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  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 von: Basler AG, übermittelt durch news aktuell