Meyer Burger Technology AG — M&A Activity 2008

Feb 25, 2008

News Details

Corporate | 25 February 2008 09:59

Roth & Rau establishes joint venture in automation technology sector

Roth & Rau AG / Joint Venture

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Hohenstein-Ernstthal, February 25, 2008 – Roth & Rau AG has teamed up with
assembly technology and handling specialist USK Karl Utz Sondermaschinen
GmbH, Limbach-Oberfrohna, to establish a joint venture for the production
of automation technology products for the manufacture of solar cells. Roth
& Rau and USK hold 51 percent and 49 percent, respectively, of the shares
in the new company incorporated as SLS Solar Line Saxony GmbH (SLS). Going
forward, Roth & Rau will be supplied on a preferred basis by SLS with
automation equipment for solar cell production.

'This strategic cooperation gives us access to components which are key to
the automation of our plants and turnkey lines. In terms of market share,
we are today a world-leading supplier of equipment for the production of
crystalline silicon solar cells. By expanding our value chain into this
specific area, we can consolidate our market position,' said Dr. Dietmar
Roth, CEO of Roth & Rau AG.

The automation technology required for the production of Roth & Rau AG’s
plants is sourced from a variety of suppliers and SLS will be an additional
source of equipment. 'The joint venture enables us to push ahead the
standardisation of the products and interfaces marketed by our company. In
addition, more efficient purchasing will allow to unlock cost advantages
which will have a positive effect on the medium-term development of our
margins,' commented CFO Carsten Bovenschen who is also in charge of supply
chain management at Roth & Rau.

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 EUR 4.5 million on sales of EUR
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

25.02.2008 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

End of News DGAP News-Service

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