Viscom AG — Earnings Release 2008

Mar 27, 2009

News Details

Corporate | 27 March 2009 07:36

Viscom AG:Key Company Figures 2008 – Global Economic Crisis Reaches Hanover Inspection System Manufacturer

Viscom AG / Final Results

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• At KEUR 49,915 revenues for 2008 below previous year's level (KEUR
  51,986)
• EBIT down to KEUR -1,586 (previous year: KEUR 4,482) after weak second
  half year
• Earnings per share at EUR -0.19 (previous year: EUR 0.39)

Hanover, 27 March 2009 - The business year 2008 did not proceed as
anticipated for the Viscom AG, European market leader for automated optical
inspection systems for the electronics industry - even though revenue
development during the first half year was very positive and raised hopes
that 2008 would yield record revenues. Viscom did achieve revenue of KEUR
28,446 during the first half year 2008, an increase of 48.3 % compared to
the previous year (KEUR 19,179). During the second half year, and most
especially in the fourth quarter, the global economic crisis reached the
Hanover manufacturer of inspection systems. Against a backdrop of
drastically reduced production in the automotive and automotive supply
industries - one of the key customer segments for the Viscom AG - drastic
revenue losses were posted. With KEUR 8,799, fourth quarter 2008 revenues
decreased 52.3 % against the previous year (KEUR 18,433). Thanks to the
vigorous first half year 2008, however,revenues of KEUR 49,915 could be
achieved for the entire business year 2008 (previous year: KEUR 51,986). 'A
majority of our customer base is in the automotive manufacturer and supply
sector, exactly where investment in new
installations or new technologies has fallen off sharply,' comments Dr.
Martin Heuser, Executive Board member and company founder of the Viscom AG.
'Currently, there is considerable uncertainty regarding the future
development in this market.'

The EBIT margin, with -3.2 % (previous year: 8.6 %), has landed in the
negative range; in absolute terms, EBIT reached a value of KEUR -1,586
(previous year: KEUR 4,482). In addition to fallen revenues, investment for
worldwide expansion and a weakened US dollar with subsequently lowered
margins, especially in Asia, resulted in a diminished EBIT compared to the
previous year.

During 2008, the Viscom AG also focused on technologies for the future:
photovoltaic inspection, computed tomography, 3-D inspection. In 2008,
approximately 10 % of revenue was invested in research and continued
development of the inspection systems. 'Customers value our technological
advantage, which we intend to develop. This is also a sound strategy when
navigating in stormy waters,' emphasizes Volker Pape, Executive Board
member and company founder of the Viscom AG.

At KEUR -1,707 (previous year: KEUR 3,559), net profit for the past
business year clearly did not meet the expected level. 'Fortunately, our
liquidity is very good. Nonetheless, short to medium term predictions do
not indicate a definite recovery in the market. This is why we have
introduced comprehensive measures to lower our costs' states Ulrich Mohr,
Executive Board member and financial officer of the Viscom AG. 'Operating
expenses worldwide were cut; in addition we were compelled to reduce the
number of our employees.'

Order backlog at year end 2008 stood at KEUR 6,198 (previous year, KEUR
14,200). Incoming orders, at KEUR 41,913, were evidently below the previous
year's level (KEUR 57,700). Reduction in these two key figures can be
attributed to the investment reluctance prevailing amongst our customers at
present.

At the Annual General Meeting on 18 June 2009, the Executive Board and the
Supervisory Board will recommend that no dividends will be distributed for
the business year 2008.

The difficult economic position and unpredictable market development
prevent the Executive Board of the Viscom AG from issuing a reliable
forecast for the business year 2009.

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 update the statements conveyed within this
notice.

Key figures of the Viscom AG

Company information

Key figures (KEUR) FY 2008 FY 2007
Revenue 49,915 51,986
EBIT -1,586 4,482
EBIT margin -3.2 % 8.6 %
Financial result 314 1,006
Income taxes -435 -1,929
Net profit for the period -1,707 3,559
Earnings per share -0.19 0.39
Number of shares 9,020,000 9,020,000
Number of weighted shares 8,895,078 9,020,000
Number of employees 412 376

Segment information

Key figures (KEUR) FY 2008 FY 2007
Europe
Revenue 34,629 33,737
EBIT -1,220 3,587
EBIT margin -3.5 % 10.6 %
Asia
Revenue 6,643 10,280
EBIT -767 511
EBIT margin -11.6 % 5.0 %
Americas
Revenue 8,643 7,969
EBIT 392 384
EBIT margin 4.5 % 4.8 %

Contact:
Viscom AG
Investor Relations
Sandra Göde
Carl-Buderus-Str. 9-15
30455 Hannover
Tel.: +49-511-94996-861
Fax: +49-511-94996-555
sandra.goede@viscom.de

27.03.2009 Financial News transmitted by DGAP

Language: English
Issuer: Viscom AG
Carl-Buderus-Strasse 9-15
30455 Hannover
Deutschland
Phone: +49 (0) 511 94 996 850
Fax: +49 (0) 511 94 996 555
E-mail: sandra.goede@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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