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Basler AG

Quarterly Report May 4, 2006

45_10-q_2006-05-04_19308626-73fd-4dd9-aa79-97141e0ef647.pdf

Quarterly Report

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Quarterly Report Q1/2006

The Quarter at a Glance:

  • below pre-year level
  • Demand rockets Q1/2006 incoming orders up by 25%
  • First quarter turnover on last year's level results slightly growth in turnover and results
Key Data:
QII/
2006
Oll
2005
+/-
in %
Turnover
Group 10.1 10.5 € mill -4%
Vision Systems 4.7 7.0 € mill -33%
Vision Components 5.3 3.5 € mill +51%
Orders
Incoming Orders 12.6 10.1 € mill. +25%
Results
Gross Margin 52 51 రిం + 1%
FRITDA 2.1 2.2 € mill -5%
EBIT 0.9 1.2 € mill -25%
FBT 0.8 € mill -27%
Net Results 0.4 0.7 € mill -43%
Net Margin 4 7 రిక్
Number of Shares 3.5 3.5 mill.
Earning per Share 0.11 0.19
Oll Oll
+/-
2005 in %
2.6 9 € mill. +37%
274 22.0 € mill. +2%
54 53 € mill. +1%
345 361 -7%
13.90 15.72 -17%
49 55 € mill.
2006
Dates 2006 Events
Financial Events
08. May 2006 Annual shareholder meeting, Hamburg, Germany
10. August 2006 Release of results for second quarter 2006, Ahrensburg, Germany,
Conference Call for analysts und investors
08. November 2006 Release of results for third quarter 2006, Ahrensburg, Germany,
Conference Call for analysts und investors
Trade Shows and Conferences
Optical Media Inspection
30. May - 01. June 2006 Media-Tech Expo, Frankfurt, Germany
13.-15. September 2006 Replication Expo, Shanghai, China
0 .- October 2006 Media-Tech Showcase & Conference, Long Beach, USA
Sealing Inspection
19 .- 23. June 2006 NPE (International Plastics Showcase) - Chicago, USA
03.-06. July 2006 Deutsche Kautschuk Tagung, Nürnberg, Germany
Display Inspection
14 .- 1 6. June 2006 FPD Taiwan - Taipeh, Taiwan
Vision Components
09.- I I May 2006 Vision Show East, Boston, USA
13 .- 16. June 2006 Nepcon Penang - Malaysia
I I .- 13. July 2006 Semicon West, San Francisco, USA
07 .- 09. November 2006 Vision Show, Stuttgart, Germany
Others
26. August 2006 Basler is introduced as " Place in the Land of Ideas" - 1. Basler Robocup

Company Profile

Basler AG is one of the leading companies in the area of Vision Technology. Vision Technology consists of computerbased vision systems, which automatically take decisions on the basis of picture information, and cameras (vision components), which in turn are fitted into vision systems.

The number of applications for machine vision systems is already high and will continue to grow. At present, vision technology is predominantly used in industrial production, e.g. for mechanic quality control, measurement, identification and

monitoring. Together, these applications are referred to as Machine Vision. Concrete examples of applications include, among others, PCB monitoring in the electronics production field, surface inspection in the plastic sheeting production field, flat-screen monitors or wafers, optical character recognition for letter sorting and document reading, print image control in the packaging industry and residual material sorting. The uses of Vision Technology in industry include automatic, thorough 100% quality control, increased production efficiency and the reduction of production costs of end products.

The company, which was founded by Norbert Basler in 1988, currently employs 354 staff and has a

total of 6 sites in the USA, Europe and Asia, making it an international enterprise. The stock corporation has two divisions reflecting the current structure of our product's applications.

The Vision Systems division develops and sells turn-key quality control solutions in three sectors: The display inspection unit provides customers with inspection concepts for the flatscreen production process.

Optical media inspection primarily manufactures inspection systems for the production of optical data (e.g. DVDs). Sealing inspection's portfolio mainly addresses the rubber and elastomer industries.

The second division is Vision Components. This division develops and sells standard components that can be used in numerous industrial sectors largely independently of concrete applications. The core component of the division's portfolio is digital cameras used in industrial applications.

On the back of this combined system and component business, we intend to grow into one of the biggest Vision Technology companies worldwide. To achieve this aim, we intend to increase sales by an average 20% per year on a profitable basis involving a two-digit pre-tax margin. The two main factors leading to success on this growth path are our multi-sector strategy and sustainable investment in research and technology. Our multi-sector strategy makes us less sensitive to fluctuations in individual markets and puts us in a better position to offset demand cycles. Due to our consistently high investment in research & development, we are meanwhile generating more than half of our sales with products that are less than two years old. This high level of investment gives us advantages over our competitors and guarantees profitability.

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

the new year got off to a good start with turnover in line with expectations on last year's level, and incoming orders greatly over topping same quarter last year's performance. The sharply rising demand for our products which we forecast shows that our past investment in research and development was on the right track, and confirms us in our future planning.

Turnover and Incoming Orders

First quarter turnover came to € 10.1 mill. This represents a slight drop of 4% vis-à-vis the same period last year (€ 10.5 mill.).

The first quarter saw a sharp rise in incoming orders with new orders to a total value of € 12.6 mill. recorded for the whole company (Q1/2005: € 10.1 mill., +25%).

This rise is part of the long-term rising demand experienced in both business units. Whilst business with digital highperformance cameras (Vision Components) benefited from new investment signals from the electronics and semi-conductor markets, our Vision Systems unit continued to record an increasing number of orders from the flat screen sector.

Earnings

The slight drop in turnover is reflected in slightly lower earnings as compared to the same quarter last year. The manufacturing costs ratio was held on a steady course in the first quarter 2006 giving gross earnings of € 5.2 mill. (Q1/2005: € 5.4 mill., -4 %) and a gross margin of 52% (Q1/2005: 51%, +1%)

First quarter turnover was realised on an unchanged cost basis. This gives after-tax earnings for Q1/2006 of € 0.4 mill. (Q1/2005: € 0.7 mill.), or a drop of 43% vis-à-vis the same period last year. Net earnings per share are € 0.11 (Q1/2005: € 0.19).

Business Unit Information

The Vision Systems unit recorded a first quarter turnover of € 4.7 mill., representing a drop of 33% on the same period last year (Q1/2005: € 7.0 mill.).

This drop is mainly due to investor reluctance in the markets for optical storage media and rubber and elastomer seals. On the other hand high demand for inspection systems from the display industry continued unabated. It was mainly due to this that first quarter incoming orders overtopped those for the same period last year. In the first three months of 2006 incoming orders came to € 7 mill. or 3% up on the first quarter 2005. (Q1/2005: € 6.8 mill.).

The first quarter also saw the successful installation of the first Color Filter Inspection System for customers in Taiwan. Color filters are thin layers responsible for colour quality in the finished flat screen display. This successfully completed pilot order will stimulate sales to other manufacturers. In the coming weeks and months we are expecting further orders from other manufacturers in this sector.

Due to the drop in turnover, Vision Systems was unable to record a positive result. Unit earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) were € -0.5 mill. down on earnings of € 0.6 mill. recorded for the first quarter 2005.

The Vision Components unit benefited in the first quarter from very lively demand for digital high-performance cameras from the electronics and semi-conductor sectors. At the same time new products opened up vigorous new market segments. First quarter 2006 turnover was correspondingly high, rising by 51% to a record level of € 5.3 mill. (Q1/2005: € 3.5 mill). Incoming orders hit an all-time high as well and at € 5.6 mill. were an impressive 70% up on figures for the same quarter last year (Q1/2005: € 3.3 mill.).

The unit's EBITDA result of € 1.5 mill. also showed a major boost of 150% (Q1/2005: € 0.6 mill.). The EBIT margin was 28% (Q1/2005: 17%).

Research & Development

High investment in research and development (R&D) is one of the key factors underpinning our success on future markets. First quarter 2006 outlay for R&D adjusted for activation of immaterial assets amounted to € 0.7 mill. (Q1/2005: € 1.0 mill.). The slight drop in investment when compared to the same period last year is due to the implementation of the cost-saving program announced last autumn.

Staff

As of 31 March 2006 there was a slight drop of 2% in staff numbers (354) compared to the same period last year (Q1/2005: 361).

Distribution of staff across company business units and locations is as follows:

  • Headquarters in Ahrensburg 313 (Q1/2005: 319)
  • Basler Inc. (USA) 15 (Q1/2005: 13).
  • Basler Asia Pte. Ltd. (Singapore) 8 (Q1/2005: 7)
  • Basler Vision Technologies Inc. (Taiwan) 18 (Q1/2005: 22) incl. staff members from the Basler offices in Shanghai and South Korea

Cash

Over the first quarter 2006 liquid assets decreased from € 3.3 mill. on I January 2006 to € 2.6 mill. First quarter 2005 net cash flow was € -1.4 mill..

Shares

As of 31 March 2006, the Management and Supervisory Board held the following shares and options (in thousands):

Shares Options
31.03.
2006
31.12.
2005
31.03.
2006
31.12.
2005
Supervisor Board
N. Basler
(Chairman) 1.8 Mill. 1.8 Mill. 106,907 106,907
K. Ellegast
(Vice-Chairman) 3,000 3.000
B. Priske
Managing Board
Dr. -Ing. D. Ley
(Chairman) 135,282 135,282 23.800 23.800
J. P. Jennings 3,000 3.000
P. Krumhoff 500 500 4,557 4.557

As of 31 March 2006 the following employee options are in Cirulation from the Convertible Bond of 31 July 2004:

2004
ssued 159.036
In circulation as
of 31.12.2005 159,036
Granted
Exercised
Expired since 31.12.2005
In circulation as
of 31.03.2006 159.036

Corporate Governance - Declaration

The Management Board and the Supervisory Board hereby declare that the recommendations of the Government Commission on the Corporate Governance Codex in the version of 2 June 2005 have been complied with and will be complied with in future. Management Board and the Supervisory Board declared the compliance on |anuary 3rd 2006. Exceptions are the following recommendations:

Sub-section 4.2.3. and 4.2.4. - Management Board Members' Remuneration

The remuneration of the management board consists of fixed and variable components. These, together with the overall level of remuneration for the Management Board, are set forth in the Appendix to the Management Report. There is no individual presentation of remuneration for the Management Board on a person to person basis. Both the Management Board and Supervisory Board strive for the highest degree of transparency vis-à-vis players on the capital market whilst also honouring the company's interests and those of individuals. In times of increasingly strict data protection regulations, the company considers it inappropriate to disclose personal data which may lead to possible disadvantages for the persons concerned and/or their families.

Sub-section 5.3.1. - Formation of Committees

The Supervisory Board does not form any committees. Due to the size of the company, the Supervisory Board of Basler AG consists of three persons. This size enables efficient work to be done whilst the generally accepted minimum requirement for the formation of a committee is set at three persons.

Sub-section 5.4.7. Remuneration of Members of the Supervisory Board

Remuneration of members of the Supervisory Board is set forth in the Articles of Incorporation. Special consideration is given to the remuneration of the chair and deputy chair of the Supervisory Board. However, in the light of the current level

of fixed remuneration, the company does not intend to add a variable component to the remuneration of members of the Supervisory Board.

The Codex, together with all previous declarations of commitment and compliance, is continually updated and may be accessed on the Investor Relations pages on the company web site at /share. If you have any questions regarding the Corporate Governance Codex, please contact the Basler AG Compliance Officer, Christian Höck, Tel. + 49 (0) 4102-463 175, [email protected].

Outlook

The new financial year began on a very promising note for us. Our business units benefited from our high level of investment in research and development - which was also mirrored in an positive investment climate on our main target markets. In the forthcoming part of the current year the Vision Systems unit is set to broaden its product portfolio and is especially well positioned to profit from new impulses in the flat screen industry. After the pilot contract last year, we are looking forward to a further order for Color Filter Inspection Systems from a leading manufacturer.

Vision Components shall continue to benefit from lively demand for digital high-performance cameras from the electronics and semi-conductors sectors and shall show strong, higher than market average growth for 2006.

In the light of the growth expected for all business units, we are able to reaffirm the forecast we made in March for organic growth for the whole of 2006 of over € 50 mill. with net earnings of approx. € 3 mill. or € 0.86 per share. This corresponds to an increase in turnover of I 1% vis-à-vis 2005, and an aboveaverage increase of 25% in net results.

The Management Board

Dr. Dietmar Ley - - John P. Jennings

Peter Krumhoff

Consolidated Profit and Loss Statement as of 31.03.2006 according to IFRS*

in € thousand, result per share in €
Q1/2006
01.01 -
Q1/2005
01.01 -
31.03.2006 31.03.2005
Sales 10,075 10,465
Cost of Sales -4,887 -5,045
Gross profit 5,188 5,420
Sales and marketing expenses -2,037 - 1,677
General and administrative expenses -2,282 -1,970
Research and development expenses
Costs -1,711 -2,071
Capitalization of intangible assets 1.996 1.872
Deduction for depreciation on
capitalized intangible assets
-935 -776
Research and Development expenses balanced -650 -975
Other income 699 373
Operating results 918 1,171
Interest results -119 -100
Result before income taxes 799 I ,07 I
Income taxes -401 -402
Group net income for period 398 669
Number of shares 3,500,000 3,500,000
Result per share 0.11 0.19
Number of shares (diluted) 3,714,285 3,714,285
Dilution effect out of corporate bond 19 19
Fully diluted result per share 0. 0.19

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow

as of 31.03.2006 according to IFRS*

in TE
01.01. - 31.03.2006 01.01. - 31.03.2005
Group net profit 397 669
Deprecation of fixed and intangible assets 1,195 996
Payments for interests 54 O
Increase/decrease in provisions -86 -947
Changes in deferred taxes 329 383
Invalid payment changes in shareholder's equity -3 -4
Result from disposal of equipment - 9
Inventories -1,083 463
Trade accounts receivable 1,831 -1,713
Other assets, which are not assigned to investing
or financing activities -112 । ୧୨
Advanced payments received 252 -403
Accounts payable -149 -470
Notes payable to shareholders 0 0
Other liabilities, witch are not assigned to investing
or financing activities -447 । 85
Cash Flow from operating activities 2,179 -663
Revenue from disposal of equipment 6 38
Purchase of equipment -2,300 -2,263
Cash Flow from investing activities -2,294 -2,225
Increase in cash received by bank loan -600 1.500
Payments of interests -54 O
Proceeds from convertible bond 0 O
Cash Flow from investing activities -654 1,500
Net change in cash -769 -1,388
Cash at beginning of period 3,326 3,291
Cash at at end of period 2,557 1,903
Changes in cash and cash equivalents at end of period
Paid out for interests 2,557 1,903
Paid out for taxes 0 O

Consolidated Balance Sheet

as of 31.03.2005 according to IFRS*

Assets in € thousand
as at 3 .03.2006 as at 3 . 2.2005
Long-term assets
Fixed assets 0 0
Tangible assets 2.62 2.643
Other intangible assets 1.188 1.117
Capitalization of development 11.846 10.785
Total fixed assets 15.655 14.545
Deferred fixed assets 8.905 8.613
Total long-term assets 24.560 23.158
Short-term assets
Cash and cash equivalents 2.557 3.326
Short-term accounts
Trade receivables 4.408 4.908
Percentage of Completion receivables 1.773 3.104
Total short-term receivables 6.181 8.012
Inventories
Finished goods and commodities 1.474 1.282
Work in process and semi-finished goods 1.135 736
Raw materials and supplies 4.350 3.859
Merchandise 256 253
Total inventories 7.215 6. 30
Other accounts and financial assets 7 4 ર્ભ રિ
Total short-term assets 16.667 18.083

Consolidated Balance Sheet

as of 31.03.2006 according to IFRS*

Liabilities in € thousand
as at 3 .03.2006 as at 31.12.2005
Shareholder's equity
Subscribed capital 3,500 3,500
Capital reserve 1,268 1,268
Equation of currency exchange વે રે 97
Accumulated earnings 17,503 17,106
22,366 21,971
Liabilities
Long-term liabilities
Silent partnership 1,023 1,023
Convertible bond 2,727 2,727
Long-term loans 529 526
Long-term liabilities to shareholders 30 30
Other long-term liabilities = O
Deferred tax liabilities 6,371 5,751
10,691 10,057
Short-term liabilities
Short-term liabilities to banks 3,500 4,100
Notes payable to shareholder's equity 109 36
Advanced payments received 780 528
Trade accounts payable 1,432 1,592
Other liabilities 462 884
Tax provisions 460 436
Provisions 1,427 1,537
8,170 9,213
18,861 19,270
Total liabilities 41,227 41,241

Primary Group Segment Information according to IFRS*

First Quarter 2006

Vision Systems Vision Components Reconciliation Group
in € thousand
Q1/2006 Q1/2005 Q1/2006 Q1/2005 Q1/2006 Q1/2005 Q1/2006 Q1/2005
Segment revenues 4.737 7.010 5.338 3.455 0 O 10.075 10.456
Segment results (EBIT) -457 577 1.466 611 -92 93 917 1.28
Segment assets 16.019 17.017 10.165 8.111 2.867 9.313 29.05 I 34.44
Segment liabilities 813 1.019 0 6 2.826 5.150 3.639 6.175
Segment investments 1.212 1.223 885 805 203 ા રેટ 2.300 2.193
Segment depreciations 610 579 391 239 194 177 1.195 વેવે

* unaudited

Secondary Group Segment Information according to IFRS*

First Quarter 2006

Europe Reconciliation Group
in € thousand
Q1/2006 Q1/2005 Q1/2006 Q1/2005 Q1/2006 Q1/2005
Segment revenues 10.075 10.465 O 0 10.075 10.465
Segment assets 26. 184 25.128 2.867 9.313 29.05 34.441
Segment investments 2.097 2.028 203 65 2.300 2.193

* unaudited

Consolidated Changes in Statement of Shareholder's Equity as of 31. 03. 2006 according to IFRS*

in € thousand Nominal
capital
Capital
reserve
Equation of
currency exchange
Accumulated
earnings
Sum
Shareholder's equity as of 31.12.2005 3,500 1,268 90 14,726 19,584
Difference from currency conversion - 19 - 9
Group net profit for year 669 669
Shareholder's equity as of 31.03.2005 3,500 1,268 7 15,395 20,234
Difference from currency conversion 26 26
Group net profit for year 1.711 1.711
Shareholder's equity as of 31.12.2005 3,500 1,268 97 17,106 21,971
Difference from currency conversion -2
Group net profit for year 397 397
Shareholder's equity as of 31.03.2006 3,500 1,268 ਰੇ ਦ 17,503 22,366

Notes:

ww.baslerweb.com

Basler AG - Headquarter An der Strusbek 60 - 62 D-22926 Ahrensburg/Germany Tel.: +49 4102 463-0 Fax: +49 4102 463-109

Basler, Inc. 740 Springdale Drive Exton, Pa 19341, USA Tel.: +1 610 280-0171 Fax: +1 610 280-7608 Basler, Asia Pte.Ltd. 25 International Business Park # 02 - 06 German Center Singapore 609916 Tel: + 65 6425 0472
Fax: + 65 6425 0473

Basler Vision Technologies, Taiwan Inc. 3F, No.87-6, Guangming 6th Rd.

Jhubei City, Hsinchu County 302,

Taiwan/R.O.C. Tel: +886 3 5583955 Fax: +886 3 5583956

Basler Shanghai

Representative Office Room # I 2H, No. 288, Cao Xi Bei Road, Xu Hui District Shanghai, 200030 China Tel.: + 86 21 64 31 11 88
Fax: + 86 21 64 31 11 88

Basler Korea

Representative Office
889-2 Ssang Yong-dong 7th Floor at Deawoo Tower ChungNam, Choon ChungNam-do Tel.: + 82 41 578 27 17

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