Talenthouse AG

Earnings Release • Apr 27, 2009

News Details

Corporate | 27 April 2009 11:32

3S Industries AG announces the fiscal year results

NEW VALUE AG / Miscellaneous

Release of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory
AG.
The issuer / publisher is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

---

New Value's portfolio company 3S Industries AG quadrupled sales and
achieves global market leadership in equipment for solar module production

3S Industries AG, Lyss, a portfolio company of New Value (SIX: NEWN), has
released the fiscal year results 2008 today in an ad-hoc announcement. Net
sales quadrupled to CHF 109 million and EBIT quintupled to CHF 12.5
million. Being the market leader in the production of equipment for the
manufacture of solar modules, the solar concern 3S Industries is in an
outstanding position. For the current fiscal year, 3S Industries is also
confident and expects a further substantial sales increase of +37% to CHF
150 million.

The solar concern 3S Industries, listed at the Berne eXchange (BX: SSS;
www.3-s.ch), covers the entire value-creation chain of solar module
production and combines the key competences in the fields of soldering,
laminating and testing under a single roof. New Value holds a share of
10.9% in 3S Industries capital. 3S has successfully implemented its
strategic objectives. The solar concern advanced in 2008 to become the
world's market leader in equipment for the production of solar modules. In
the 2008 financial year, 3S Industries again recorded strong growth in
sales and profit. In the reporting year, gross sales quadrupled in
comparison with the previous year to CHF 108.7 million (previous year CHF
26.3 million). The operating profit (EBIT) was at a record level of CHF
12.5 million (previous year 2.6 million) and thus practically quintupled;
the EBIT margin related to net sales was 12.3% (previous year 10.4%). With
the acquisition of Somont, the solar concern covers all the key
technologies which are important for the manufacture of solar modules. For
2009, 3S Industries expects sales of CHF 150 million and an EBIT of CHF 15
million.

Global market leader
3S Industries is today the global market leader for equipment for the
production of solar modules. The Group's lead over its competitors is
attributable primarily to its unique technology, comprehensive process
know-how and many years of experience in the solar industry. With the
production installations from the Swiss concern, customers are achieving
the highest quality demanded today around the globe at lowest production
costs. In their respective fields of core competence in solar module
production, 3S Swiss Solar Systems (laminating lines) and Pasan (testers)
have already been the technological leaders for years. As this also applies
for Somont (automatic string soldering machines), 3S Industries acquired
the successful German company in 2008 and thus completed the value-creation
chain in equipment for the production of solar modules. All three Group
companies grew more quickly than the overall market in the reporting year.

With the expansion of the international presence, the use of synergies,
joint developmental work within the Group and constant further development
of their innovative products, the companies of the 3S Group consistently
pursue the objective of further lowering the production costs for solar
modules. The acquisition of Somont and the associated formation of the
solar concern 3S Industries, the strong focus on growing, international
markets and the development of the product portfolio after entering into
the business with turnkey, automatic lines sustainably strengthened the
competitiveness of the organisation in 2008.

Further growth in 2009
The long-term growth prospects for photovoltaic are intact, even though the
market is currently no longer recording the enormous growth rates of the
last few years due to the financial crisis. As the market leader in the
production of equipment for the production of solar modules, the 3S solar
concern is in an outstanding position. In particular the demand for
automatic lines is developing very pleasantly. 3S Industries completed the
2008 financial year with significantly improved key financial figures. The
organisation has a strong balance sheet with an equity ratio of 58% and a
comfortable reserve of liquidity. For the 2009 financial year, 3S
Industries expects a net income of CHF 150 million, which corresponds to a
growth of over 37%.

Information about New Value AG
New Value, officially listed at the SIX Swiss Exchange, invests directly in
promising private companies in Switzerland and neighbouring German-speaking
countries with above-average market and growth potential. As an investment
company, New Value promotes innovative business models with venture capital
and accompanies those to market success. The portfolio covers companies of
different stages of development, starting with the market introduction
phase up to medium-sized enterprises with stable profits. A broad
investment approach is deliberately followed regarding industry sectors.
The portfolio contains companies active in renewable energy, medical
technology, health, information technology and new materials. New Value
assigns great value to ethical business concepts and good corporate
governance while selecting their portfolio companies. Criteria such as
meaningfulness, social responsibility and ecological sustainability are
considered by New Value as decisive competitive advantages, which affect
and enhance the quality of products and services offered and thus,
facilitate an above average increase of value potential. Since the
formation of New Value, EPS Value Plus AG, Zurich, has served as investment
manager.

Contact:
Marcel Rogenmoser

27.04.2009 Financial News transmitted by DGAP

Language: English
Issuer: NEW VALUE AG
Bodmerstrasse 9
8027 Zürich
Schweiz
Phone: +41-43-344 38 38
Fax: +41-43-344 38 39
E-mail: info@newvalue.ch
Internet: www.newvalue.ch
ISIN: CH0010819867
WKN: 552932
Listed: Freiverkehr in Berlin, Stuttgart, München, Düsseldorf; Open
Market in Frankfurt; Foreign Exchange(s) SWX

End of News DGAP News-Service

---