Meyer Burger Technology AG — Earnings Release 2007

Nov 15, 2007

News Details

Corporate | 15 November 2007 08:58

Roth & Rau AG presents third-quarter figures

Roth & Rau AG / Quarter Results

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Roth & Rau presents third-quarter figures
- Further strong sales and earnings growth
- Dynamic development of turnkey business
- Growth course supported by capital increase

Hohenstein- Ernstthal, 15 November 2007 – Roth & Rau AG maintained the
strong growth seen in the first half of the year in the third quarter as
well. The solar supplier generated record sales of EUR 42,333k in the third
quarter, more or less matching the sales reported for the entire 2006
financial year. In the period from January to September, sales quadrupled
from EUR 26,831k in the same period in the previous year to EUR 107,528k.
Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) showed comparably strong growth
in the first nine months of the financial year, rising by 257.8 % to EUR
10,577k (9 months 2006: EUR 2,956k), equivalent to an EBIT margin of 9.8 %.
The net surplus for the period grew disproportionately to EUR 7,961k, up
from EUR 1,805k in the previous year.

The key growth driver is the dynamic development of turnkey production
lines, the so-called turnkey business. Roth & Rau AG has further expanded
its market position in this field in recent months, developing into one of
the leading providers. Supported by the rapid growth of the solar industry,
there has also been a significant rise in demand for turnkey facilities
through the year, with a further major order also acquired in the third
quarter. The Indian company XL Telecom & Energy Ltd. ordered two 60 MWp
turnkey lines with a volume of EUR 25 million, which are to be installed in
2008.

This development is reflected in the sales volumes of the photovoltaic
segment. Traditionally the larger of Roth & Rau’s two business fields, this
segment accounted for 94.0 % of total sales or EUR 101,039k. The advanced
progress now made on the major project in Frankfurt/Oder has also left its
mark in this respect. The remaining 6.0 % of sales, or EUR 6,481k, was
attributable to the plasma and ion beam technology segment, where major
strategic projects were completed during the third quarter.

The outlook for the final months of the financial year also remains
positive. The company received new orders amounting to EUR 66,610k in the
third quarter. The volume of orders on hand therefore totalled EUR 145,165k
at the end of the first nine months, of which 80 % will be reflected in the
sales for the coming financial year. 'All indicators point to further
growth. The construction of our new photovoltaic location, where we
commenced operations at the end of October, means that we now have
additional production capacities available to meet the rising demand for
our products at the high quality our customers are used to', commented Dr.
Dietmar Roth, CEO of Roth & Rau AG.

Moreover, the company further improved its capital resources in the third
quarter. On 9 August 2007, Roth & Rau AG executed a capital increase from
authorised capital, involving the sale of 230,000 new shares to
international institutional investors. The proceeds on the issue, amounting
to EUR 36,340k, are to be invested in expanding the company’s capacities in
the short to medium term. 'The capital increase means that we are
excellently positioned in financial terms. We are keeping a close eye on
the market and could well imagine making an acquisition to complement our
portfolio', added company CFO, Carsten Bovenschen.

The Management Board affirmed its forecast for the 2007 financial year,
namely sales of at least EUR 135 million and EBIT of around EUR 12 million.

The quarterly report can be downloaded from the Investor Relations section
of the company’s website at www.roth-rau.de.

About Roth & Rau AG:
Roth & Rau AG (ISIN DE000A0JCZ51) develops and manufactures equipment and
process systems on the basis of plasma and ion beam technology and supplies
these to a global customer base in a wide variety of sectors. Roth & Rau’s
photovoltaic business field focuses on providing antireflective coating
facilities for crystalline silicon solar cells. With a global market share
(excluding Japan) of around 60 %, Roth & Rau one of the leading suppliers
in this area. The company’s second business field of plasma and ion beam
technology, which accounted for around 15 % of total sales in the past
financial year, develops equipment for the semiconductor and automotive
industries, as well as for research and development in various
sectors.

Contact:
Haubrok Investor Relations GmbH
Simone Gorny
Kaistraße 16
40221 Düsseldorf
Tel.: +49 (0) 211/30126-130
Fax: +49 (0)211/30126-172
E-Mail: s.gorny@haubrok.de

15.11.2007 Financial News transmitted by DGAP

Language: English
Issuer: Roth & Rau AG
Gewerbering 3 OT Wüstenbrand
09337 Hohenstein-Ernstthal
Deutschland
Phone: 0372349880
Fax: 03723 498825
E-mail: silvia.roth@roth-rau.de
Internet: www.roth-rau.de
ISIN: DE000A0JCZ51
WKN: A0JCZ5
Listed: Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, München, Stuttgart; Entry
Standard in Frankfurt

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