Viscom AG — Earnings Release 2007

Nov 13, 2007

News Details

Corporate | 13 November 2007 07:31

Viscom AG: Trend reversal beginning in Q3

Viscom AG / Quarter Results

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Viscom AG: Trend reversal beginning in Q3

• Q3 revenues rise 6.1 % year on year

• Strong revenue surge in Asia: +40.2 % compared to 9M/06

• Customers placed 8% more orders with Viscom during report period

• Order intake in Asia up 50.1% compared to 9M/06

• Encouraging trend: 9M EBIT a positive €677 thousand

• Q3 EBIT already back at €1,730 thousand

Hanover, 13 November 2007 – The third quarter marked the expected trend
reversal for the Viscom AG, European market leader in automatic optical
inspection systems for the electronics industry: after a rather
disappointing first half year, revenues for the months July through
September rose to €14.4 million, 6.1 % year on year. 'This very positive
revenue development indicates the future trend,' states Volker Pape, board
member and company founder of the Viscom AG. 'With an 8 % rise over last
year's third quarter, incoming orders in particular clarify the positive
trend.' The strong third quarter cannot however entirely offset the less
positive first half year – revenues at the nine-month mark remain 11.8 %
down, year on year. The high order backlog of €16.1 million at the end of
the report period casts an optimistic light on future development of the
company, corresponding as it does to a 75 % spike compared to last year's
third quarter (€9.1 million).

With an EBIT margin of 12 %, profitability of the Viscom Group remains at a
satisfactory level during this third quarter. EBIT after the first nine
months however continues to reflect the intensive investment activity of
the Viscom AG during its current phase of expansion, coupled with reduced
revenues for the first half year – the 9M EBIT margin reached 2 %. 'Now
that revenues show an unmistakable upturn, we see definite potential for
continued improvement in our company's earning strength over the short to
medium term,' explains Ulrich Mohr, financial officer and board member at
the Viscom AG.

The decisive factor behind the Viscom Group's continued revenue growth is
the success of measures initiated with share issue proceeds, which is now
manifest as higher incoming orders: 50.1 % during these first nine months
for the Asia region alone. This surge is due to expansion of support
centers in this region. The technological development of the company is
also quite promising. 'Our customers have already responded to the new
high-end system X7056 with several orders,' remarks Dr. Martin Heuser,
board member and company founder of the Viscom AG.

Earnings after taxes for the Viscom Group reached € 675 thousand for the
months January to September this year, as compared to €4,702 thousand at
the end of the third quarter last year. Whilst the tax rate for the first
nine months 2006 was 27.7 %, it is now 52.9 %. For the entire year 2007, a
tax rate between 36 and 39 % is expected.

Management narrows the guidance for the entire year 2007 down to revenues
of €51 to 52 million (€ 51 million to € 54 million) and an EBIT margin of 6
to 7 % (6 to 9%). At present, company management continues to affirm this
projection. Attaining this goal is contingent on the investment bearing of
Viscom Group customers as well as production capacity. In light of the
factors noted, Viscom AG management views perspectives for the short to
medium term with full optimism.

Insofar as this notice contains prognoses or expectations or concerns
statements regarding the future, these statements may be marked by risk and
uncertainty. Thus we cannot guarantee that the expectations will prove
themselves correct. Actual events and developments may deviate
significantly from the expectations and assumptions expressed herein. Among
the factors which may cause deviation are changes in the general economic
situation, the competitive situation, exchange rates, interest rates and
changes in national and international laws, among others. Thus the company
assumes no responsibility to realize the statements conveyed within this
notice.

Key figures of the Viscom AG

Company information

9M 2007

Key figures Jan.- Sept. 2007 Jan.- Sept. 2006
Revenue 33,553 38,023
EBIT 677 6,101
EBIT margin 2.0 % 16.0 %
Financial result 756 400
Taxes on income -758 -1,799
Net profit for the period 675 4,702
Earnings per share 0.07 0.52
Number of shares 9,020,000 9,020,000
Number of employees 376 334

Key figures of the Viscom AG

Segment information

9M 2007

Key figures Jan.- Sept. 2007 Jan.- Sept. 2006
Europe
Revenue 22,854 26,763
EBIT 698 5,376
EBIT margin 3.1 %. 20.1 %
Financial result 742 414
Taxes on income -705 -1,537
Net profit for the period 735 4,253
Asia
Revenue 6,190 4,416
EBIT 89 106
EBIT margin 1.4 % 2.4 %
Financial result 8 0
Taxes on income -98 -21
Net profit for the period -1 85
Americas
Revenue 4,509 6,844
EBIT -110 619
EBIT margin -2.4 % 9.0 %
Financial result 6 -14
Taxes on income 45 -241
Net profit for the period -59 364

Contact:
Viscom AG
Investor Relations
Katharina Blanke
Carl-Buderus-Str. 9-15
30455 Hannover
Tel.: +49-511-94996-861
Fax: +49-511-94996-555
katharina.blanke@viscom.de

13.11.2007 Financial News transmitted by DGAP

Language: English
Issuer: Viscom AG
Carl-Buderus-Strasse 9-15
30455 Hannover
Deutschland
Phone: +49 (0) 511 94 996 861
Fax: +49 (0) 511 94 996 555
E-mail: katharina.blanke@viscom.de
Internet: www.viscom.com
ISIN: DE0007846867
WKN: 784686
Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard), Hannover;
Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, München, Stuttgart

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