Meyer Burger Technology AG — Earnings Release 2007

Feb 27, 2008

News Details

Corporate | 27 February 2008 08:27

Roth & Rau AG: Preliminary FY 2007 figures exceed forecast

Roth & Rau AG / Preliminary Results

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• Sales grow 241.2 percent to Euro 146.2 million
• EBIT rises 207.4 percent to Euro 13.9 million
• Orders on hand improve 96.7 percent to Euro 201.0 million

Hohenstein-Ernstthal, February 27, 2008 – Roth & Rau AG’s preliminary FY
2007 figures show marked sales and earnings growth. Sales revenues
increased by 241.2 percent from Euro 42.9 million to Euro 146.2 million,
thereby exceeding the forecast figure of Euro 135.0 million. 'The past year
saw renewed strong growth in demand for our main products, the SiNA series
of equipment for antireflective coating of crystalline silicon solar cells.
Our business in fully automated turnkey lines for the production of solar
cells was another key growth driver. Last year we established ourselves as
a leading supplier in this area, which gave us even more effective exposure
to the ongoing growth in the photovoltaic sector,' said CEO Dr. Dietmar
Roth when commenting on the development.

In addition to expanding its sales, Roth & Rau also achieved considerable
earnings growth. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) grew by 207.4
percent to Euro 13.9 million compared to Euro 4.5 million in the previous
year. This means that both EBIT and the EBIT margin of 9.5 percent exceeded
the own expectations. Net profit for the year rose by 302.2 percent to Euro
11.7 million (2006: Euro 2.9 million). 'Against the background of our high
investments in the expansion of our production capacities and our headcount
we are more than satisfied with this result,' said CFO Carsten Bovenschen.

The Management Board expects continued growth in fiscal 2008, leading to
sales revenues of at least Euro 235 million. Factors supporting this
expectation include orders on hand worth Euro 201.0 million (2006: Euro
102.2 million) on December 31, 2007 as well as high incoming orders during
early 2008.

The finalised 2007 annual accounts as well as more information on the
course of business will be published in the company’s annual report on
March 31, 2008.

About Roth & Rau AG:
Roth & Rau AG based in Hohenstein-Ernstthal (ISIN DE000A0JCZ51) is a
supplier of plasma process systems for the photovoltaics industry. The
company is a leading supplier in terms of market share in this industry.
Furthermore Roth & Rau supplies components and process systems based on
plasma and ion beam technology for other sectors. Developed by Roth & Rau,
these products are manufactured and distributed worldwide through the
company’s photovoltaic and plasma and ion beam technology divisions. In
fiscal 2006 Roth & Rau achieved EBIT of Euro 4.5 million on sales of Euro
42.9 million, employing an average of 114 people. Roth & Rau’s photovoltaic
division focuses on providing antireflective coating facilities as well as
fully automated manufacturing lines (turnkey lines) for the production of
crystalline silicon solar cells. Another focus is on the production of
equipment for the coating of thin film solar modules. The plasma and ion
beam technology division, which accounted for around 15 percent of total
sales in the financial year 2006, produces plasma sources and ion beam
sources as well as process systems for thin film and surface technology.
Customers served by this division include, in particular, companies in the
semiconductor and automotive industries, R&D departments in various
industries including photovoltaics as well as research institutes and
universities.

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

27.02.2008 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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