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Viscom AG Interim / Quarterly Report 2007

Nov 13, 2007

468_10-q_2007-11-13_5fb28ec0-78f2-4c46-8bef-dcc78b5758f8.pdf

Interim / Quarterly Report

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Interim Report as at 30 September 2007

Viscom AG

Key Group Figures 3
Foreword by the Executive Board 4
Viscom's Shares 6
Consolidated Interim Management Report 8
Revenue and earnings 8
Net assets and financial position 9
Segment report 11
Opportunities/risks and outlook report 13
Significant transactions with related parties 13
General Information on the Company 14
IFRS Consolidated Interim Financial Statements 15
Income statement 15
Balance sheet 16
Cash flow statement 18
Statement of changes in shareholders' equity 19
Special Disclosures 20
Management Declaration of Accuracy 21
Financial Calendar 22
Credits 23

Key Group Figures

01.01.–30.09.2007 01.01.–30.09.2006
Revenue 33,553 K€ 38,023 K€
EBIT 677 K€ 6,101 K€
Financial result 756 K€ 400 K€
Income taxes -758 K€ -1,799 K€
Net profit for the period 675 K€ 4,702 K€
Number of shares 9.020.000 9.020.000
Diluted and undiluted earnings per share 0.07 € 0.52 €
Number of employees 376 334

Foreword by the Executive Board

Dear shareholders,

Ladies and gentlemen,

The third quarter 2007 saw the expected trend reversal for the Viscom Group. Following the disappointing first half-year, revenue increased to € 14.4 million in the months between July and September and is therefore 6.1 % above the comparable previous year's quarter. The level of incoming orders articulates an even clearer message: in the first three quarters of 2007, we received around 8 % more orders from our customers than in the corresponding previous year's period. This pleasing revenue and incoming orders trend is pointing the way forward. However, looking at the nine-month period, it cannot yet compensate for the less than good first half-year – the ninemonth revenue figure is less than that of the comparable previous year's period by 11.8 %.

The Viscom Group remains in a phase of expansion with high capital expenditure. However, in the third quarter of 2007, profitability reached a satisfactory level with an EBIT margin of 12 % and an EBIT of € 1.7 million. In the rising revenue we see potential for further substantial improvement in Viscom AG's profitability. In this context, it is decisive that the measures initiated with the IPO proceeds show first successes. Within the first nine months, the development of the Viscom Group's bases in Asia led to an increase in revenue of over 40 % as against the previous year's period in the region. In the same period, the number of incoming orders rose by as much as 50.1 %. The technological development of the Company is just as promising. We have already received several orders for the new 7056 high-end system. The first systems have now been delivered worldwide and are proving themselves in in-line operation for our customers.

By acquiring the MX product family of the American light source developer Phoseon Technology Inc., Viscom AG has made a decisive step towards opening up the semiconductor market in the third quarter. The MX product family comprises inspection systems for the high-quality inspection of semiconductors using a unique infrared light source. A new, innovative Infrared Products division has been founded within the Viscom Group for the integration of this product line. As a leading supplier for automatic optical and X-ray inspection systems with global presence and over 20 years' inspection experience, we bring the knowledge and experience required to develop a new range of inspection systems with the Phoseon technology, opening up new customer markets and growth areas.

All this is confirmation of our positive expectations for the future development of Viscom AG, allowing us to look forward with confidence. We thank you most sincerely for your interest in the Viscom Group. We are looking forward to your support along the way!

Sincerely yours,

Dr. Martin Heuser Volker Pape Ulrich Mohr

Viscom Shares

ISIN DE 000 7846867
Market segment Official Market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange
Prime Standard
Number of shares 9.02 million
Free float 40.1 %
Market capitalisation 78.56 million €
High 13.82 €
Low 8.55 €
Average trading volume 10.893
EPS 0.07 €
As of 30 September 2007

The development of the international capital markets was benign during the first nine months of 2007. Rising trading volume underlined the positive sentiment. While Viscom shares appeared extremely stable during the first half-year in this environment, the price performance from mid-August was characterised by a sustained downward trend. The reason for this development was Viscom AG's publication of its halfyear results. The Company has not yet realised the clear increase in revenue and earnings expected from the capital market. On 9 August 2007, the Management also reduced the revenue guidance of between € 57 million and € 60 million to between € 51 million and € 54 million. While the shares had moved within a range of € 11.65 and € 13.82 up to this point, within a month of the publication of the half-year report they fell by 23 % and reached a low of € 8.55 in mid-September. The low trading volume during this period of an average of just 8,420 shares a day in comparison with the average 11,492 during the months between January and August, underlines the current reserved behaviour displayed by shareholders.

Open and fair communication with all capital market participants is the basis of Viscom Group's investor relations work. Especially during critical periods, this approach takes on even greater importance and the Company is available for open dialogue at all times. In addition, all information relating to Viscom's shares is published in a timely manner on the Company's website at www.viscom.com/en_ir. From the numerous talks we had with our analysts and investors in Germany and abroad during the course of the year, we recognised that many capital market participants are currently waiting for an opportunity to change their reserved stance towards Viscom shares. We are assuming that the Viscom AG's positive order book represents such an opportunity.

On 15 June 2007, Viscom held its first Annual General Meeting following the IPO. The payment of a dividend of € 0.50 per share was resolved with 99.99 % of the share capital represented. This dividend represents a pay-out ratio of approximately 54 % on the Group's net profit for 2006. The next Annual General Meeting will take place on 12 June 2008 in Hanover. Viscom AG is aiming to maintain a pay-out ratio of around 50 %.

Four investment houses are currently cover and value Viscom shares. With their recommendation, they are presently covering the whole spectrum of 'Buy', 'Hold' and 'Sell'. The price targets are within the range of € 9 to € 15, in which all analysts of Viscom shares see upside potential. The consensus estimate for 2007 revenue is currently € 51.3 and therefore at the lower end of the guidance published by Viscom.

The Viscom AG shareholder structure mirrors the strong participation of both company founders and Executive Board members of Viscom AG. A total of 59.9 % of the shares are in the hands of the company founders and will remain held there in the long term. The free float of 40.1 % is divided between investors, primarily in Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Only two shareholders hold more than 3 % of Viscom shares in addition to the company founders. Viscom AG's aim is as broad a diversification of free float as possible to generate as much liquidity as possible in the shares despite the comparatively low number of freely tradable shares.

Consolidated Interim Management Report

Revenue and earnings

During the third quarter of 2007, Viscom AG's revenue situation revived, following the rather disappointing first half of 2007 with regard to revenue. In the months between July and September, revenue climbed to K€ 14,374, 6.1 % above the figure from the comparable quarter of last year. As in previous years, the second half of the year is proving stronger in terms of revenue for Viscom AG than during the months between January and June. The positive development of the third quarter compared to the previous quarter is however not yet sufficient to generate an increase in revenue over last year, even at year-to-date level. Revenue for the first nine months of 2007 reached K€ 33,553 and was therefore 11.8 % below the comparable previous year's figure of K€ 38,023.

The reduction in revenue seen for the whole of the nine-month period is due to the weak first half-year of 2007. This was due not only to seasonal fluctuation, but was also a result of the temporarily reduced investment activity of several large customers of the Viscom Group. Viscom AG generates around 50 % of its revenue with its three largest customers, which is why there is a notable dependency on these customers' order behaviour. It is therefore an aim of high priority for the Viscom Group to reduce its dependency on a few large customers and to develop new customers and key accounts on an international basis. While the markets in Europe are already saturated, meaning above-average growth can no longer be expected, Viscom sees promising opportunities for developing new customer bases, primarily in the steadily growing Asia regions.

The level of incoming orders and orders on hand are particularly pleasing in the reporting period. Orders amounting to € 41.1 million were received from customers of Viscom AG in the first nine months of 2007 – up 7.9 % compared to the comparable previous year's period. The orders on hand at the end of the third quarter of 2007 amounted to € 16.1 million and therefore exceeded the previous year's figure by 76.9 %. These figures clearly reflect the success of the Viscom Group's expansion measures, especially in the Asia region.

EBIT from the first three quarters reached K€ 677, significantly below the previous year's value of K€ 6,101. The reason for the reduction in profitability was primarily Viscom AG's reduced revenue in the first six months of the year. In particular, personnel costs drive the high fixed operating expenses which are essential in bringing the Viscom AG's innovative new systems onto the global market. Particularly in the Asia region, the Viscom Group operates in a growth market, where the electronic industry especially is booming. Building on this growth in a targeted fashion with innovative products and a proactive approach is the declared objective of the Viscom Group. Stronger service, sales and development capacities are the basic requirements for achieving this target and an investment that will pay off soon. The comparison with the previous quarter already shows the initial, positive development trend. EBIT climbed to K€ 1,730 in the third quarter of 2007 from K€ -945 in the second quarter of the year.

To the end of the reporting period, Viscom generated an after-tax profit of K€ 675 compared to K€ 4,702 at the end of the third quarter of 2006. While the tax rate was 27.7 % in the first nine months of last year, it is now 52.9 %. The reason for the low tax rate compared with the previous year's period is the tax-optimising investment of the issue proceeds. The expected tax rate for 2007 is between 36 % and 39 %, depending on the share of profits generated in Asia and the lower corporation tax there. The current clearly higher tax rate is a result of the preliminary costs of the Shanghai branch which are not tax deductible.

Net assets and financial position

Cash flow from operating activities reached K€ -8,982 in the first nine months of 2007 after K€ -36,295 in the comparable previous year's period. In addition to the net profit for the period, reduced to K€ 675 (previous year: K€ 4,702), the important influencing factors here are the change in the items inventories, receivables and other assets (K€ -5,597 compared to the previous year: K€ -66,250) and the change in the liabilities (K€ -1,392 compared to the previous year: K€ 27,949). At around € 60 million, inventories, receivables and other assets reported for the previous year predominantly reflected the loaned securities reported primarily in connection with the investment of issue proceeds.

The clear change in cash flow from investing activity of K€ -718 to K€ -3,152 is due to the acquisition of intangible assets in connection with the acquisition of the MX product family of the American light source developer Phoseon Technology Inc. Viscom AG acquired the product family as part of an asset deal on 21 August 2007.

The payments from the acquisition currently amount to K€ 1,868, including the transaction costs.

There was a significant change in cash flow from financing activity from K€ 34,667 for the first nine months of 2006 to K€ -3,706 for the months January to September of 2007. This represented proceeds of K€ 42,550 from the company IPO of 10 May 2006. The dividend distribution on 18 June 2007 of K€ 4,510 was substantially below last year's distribution of K€ 8,381. Interest received rose to K€ 761 (previous year: K€ 129) in the reporting period. On the one hand, this is due to a higher interest rate of the cash deposited, on the other, in the first five months of the 2006 financial year there was no cash deposited to attract interest.

Working capital came to K€ 53,012 after the first nine months of 2007 as against K€ 59,518 at year-end 2006. The reason for this reduction is essentially a decline in cash and cash equivalents from K€ 40,144 at yearend 2006 to K€ 24,199 at the end of September 2007. The strategic implementation of the investments in the growth markets of Asia and America and the acquisition of the MX product family lead to a reduction in cash and cash equivalents. Furthermore, inventories increased from K€ 12,997 to K€ 18,681, receivables and assets increased from K€ 520 to K€ 5,547 and current income tax liabilities declined from K€ 4,376 to K€ 96.

Viscom AG's equity ratio increased to 84.4 % by the end of the reporting period. It therefore stands 2.4 % above the figure as at 31 December 2006 (82%). This was a consequence of the decline in total assets for the Viscom Group from K€ 76,315 as at 31 December 2006 to K€ 69,494.

The Viscom Group workforce numbered 376 employees worldwide at the end of the third quarter of 2007, a 12.6 % increase over the figure at the end of September 2006. Compared to the previous year's quarter, hiring was concentrated in Asia, where employees have been added – an increase of 22 people over the corresponding previous year's quarter. This expanded the Company's service and sales capacity in this key growth region considerably.

Status: 30 September 2007 Europe Asia USA Total
Total 318 39 19 376
of which: full-time 305 38 19 362
of which: part-time 13 1 0 14
plus trainees 15 0 0 15

Europe Segment report

With a share of 68.1% of overall revenues, Europe remains the strongest region for the Viscom Group. During the reporting period, Viscom AG generated revenue of K€ 22,854 in Europe (previous year: K€ 26,763). The reduction of 14.6 % was the result of the first two quarters.

EBIT for the Europe region amounts to K€ 698 in the first nine months of the year (previous year: K€ 5,376). A large part of the reduction in EBIT was due to the decline in revenue reported. To be added to this are the unchanged high fixed operating expenses, due primarily to high personnel expenses and other operating costs. The increased costs impact the further technological expansion of the Viscom Group especially in the Europe region, since the entire production and development of the Company takes place at the founding location of Hanover.

Europe 01.01.–
30.09.2007
01.01.–
30.09.2006
Revenue (K€) 22,854 26,763
EBIT (K€) 698 5,376
EBIT margin (%) 3.1 20.1
Employees 318 300
Representatives 17 17

Asia

The Asia region displayed a sharp upward trend during the first nine months of the year. Revenue rose from K€ 4,416 in the comparable previous year's period to a current K€ 6,190, up by 40.2 %. An increase of around 50 % in incoming orders was reported from the Asia region. The effect of the new Application Centre in Shanghai is reflected in this development. In the first quarter of the year, revenue for the Asia region was still approximately at the level of the previous year. Greater changes in incoming orders and revenue are evident only since the opening of the centre in May 2007. Looking at revenue in the third quarter of 2007 separately, there was an upturn of as much as 119.3 % compared to the corresponding previous year's quarter.

Development costs for the restructuring continue to impact EBIT in the Asia region. The main reason is increased personnel costs. A total of 39 people are operating across the large area, above all in service and sales – 22 employees more than in the corresponding previous year's period. The EBIT margin of 1.4 % may well be well below the long-term target for profitability, but is in line with expectations for the current phase of expansion.

Asia 01.01.–
30.09.2007
01.01.–
30.09.2006
Revenue (K€) 6,190 4,416
EBIT (K€) 89 106
EBIT margin (%) 1.4 2.4
Employees 39 17
Representatives 7 7

Americas

Initial successes can be reported in the America region following the opening of the new Application Centre in San Jose. While the market overall is still suffering from several large customers' persistent buying constraint, and the accumulated nine-month revenue of the region has sunk by 34.1 % to K€ 4,509 (previous year: K€ 6,844) as a result, the third quarter was already positive with a sharp rise in revenue of 11.2 % as against the corresponding previous year's quarter.

In addition to the clear decline in revenue, EBIT also reflected increased expenses for the development of the service and sales capacities in the region. In the first nine months of the year, EBIT amounted to K€ -110 compared to K€ 619 in the corresponding previous year's period.

Americas 01.01.–
30.09.2007
01.01.–
30.09.2006
Revenue (K€) 4,509 6,844
EBIT (K€) -110 619
EBIT margin (%) -2.4 9.0
Employees 19 17
Representatives 13 15

Opportunities/risks and outlook report

Viscom systems are state-of-the-art technological products, which are used successfully across the globe for the improvement of efficiency and quality in electronics production. They are employed in nearly all branches of the electronics industry from the automobile industry to aviation and aeronautics, through to the sharply growing consumer and communications sectors. With its expansion in the Asian market, the Viscom Group is increasingly opening up interesting customer groups in a region of strong growth.

In the new X7056, Viscom has brought a new machine onto the market which has long been anticipated by customers and which represents a further technological advance for the Company. Various orders for the system are already in inline operation and many more are expected for the coming months.

With the acquisition of the MX product family of Phoseon Technology Inc., Viscom is opening up new markets, customer bases and growth potential. These effects should impact very positively in the medium term on the revenue performance of Viscom AG.

The Company has implemented a risk management system in line with Article 91, Paragraph 2 of the German Stock Corporation Act. The corporate risk management strategy revolves around fully informing decision-makers as quickly as possible with regard to material risks and risk events, allowing timely proactive and reactive steps to be implemented. Managerial staff regularly meet to discuss the current status of risk issues that have been identified.

Viscom AG has identified exposure above all to customer risk until the end of the year. This risk is apparent on the one hand from the Viscom Group's sensitivity to the purchasing behaviour of major customers and on the other from the general order behaviour of customers in the Viscom Group's markets. Viscom is addressing this risk by vigorously pursuing the acquisition of new key accounts worldwide to reduce dependency on a handful of large buyers and individual regions. In addition, Viscom is broadening its customer base and is continually gaining new, and smaller, companies as customers.

Another risk for the Viscom Group lies in production capacity. Due to the high utilisation of production, delays in processing the high order backlog can arise. Management narrows the revenue and EBIT margin targets down to € 51 to 52 million and 6 to 9 % respectively. Achieving targets depends on the order behaviour of customers and production capacity.

Significant transactions with related parties

Lease contracts are in place between the Company and the organisations Dr. Martin Heuser/Petra Pape GbR, Hanover, Marina Heuser/Petra Pape GbR, Hanover and HPC Vermögensverwaltung GmbH, Hanover for six properties located on Carl-Buderus-Strasse in Hanover. These organisations all represent related parties as per IAS 24.

The Viscom Group has also concluded operating leases, primarily for company vehicles, with HPC Vermögensverwaltung GmbH.

General Information on the Company

Viscom AG is headquartered in Hanover, Germany, where it is registered under record number HR B 59616. The business address is Viscom AG, Carl-Buderus-Str. 9 - 15, 30455 Hanover.

The Company's business activities consist of the development, manufacture and sale of automated inspection systems for industrial production. Inspection is performed by the computer-based optical and/or X-ray comparison of the inspected objects with the specifications defined in the inspection system.

IFRS Consolidated Interim Financial Statements as at 30 September 2007 Income Statement

Consolidated income statement 01.07.– 01.07.– 01.01.– 01.01.–
30.09.2007
K€
30.09.2006
K€
30.09.2007
K€
30.09.2006
K€
Revenue 14,374 13,549 33,553 38,023
Other operating income 330 123 724 556
14,704 13,672 34,277 38,579
Changes in finished goods and work in progress 2,072 355 5,419 3,205
Cost of materials -7,625 -5,795 -17,649 -16,773
Staff costs -4,673 -3,994 -13,932 -11,613
Depreciation and amortisation expense -216 -197 -605 -536
Other operating expenses -2,532 -2,031 -6.833 -6,761
Total operating expenses -12,974 -11,662 -33,600 -32,478
Operating profit/loss 1,730 2,010 677 6,101
Interest income 215 395 781 669
Interest expense -5 -179 -25 -269
Taxes on income -632 -133 -758 -1,799
Net profit for the period 1,308 2,093 675 4,702
Earnings per share (diluted and undiluted) in € 0.15 0.23 0.07 0.52

Balance Sheet: Assets

Assets 30.09.2007 31.12.2006
K€ K€
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents 24,199 40,144
Trade receivables 15,395 17,186
Current income tax assets 0 2,412
Inventories 18,681 12,997
Other receivables and assets 5,547 520
Total current assets 63,822 73,259
Noncurrent assets
Property, plant and equipment 2,228 2,142
Intangible assets 2,511 139
Goodwill 79 0
Loans originated by the Company 19 91
Deferred tax assets 624 684
Other noncurrent assets 211 0
Total noncurrent assets 5,672 3,056
Total assets 69,494 76,315

Balance Sheet: Liabilities and shareholders' equity

Liabilities and shareholders' equity 30.09.2007
K€
31.12.2006
K€
Current liabilities
Trade payables 2,062 2,035
Advanced payments received 334 0
Provisions 3,265 3,240
Current income tax liabilities 96 4,376
Other current liabilities 5,053 4,090
Total current liabilities 10,810 13,741
Noncurrent liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities 0 0
Total noncurrent liabilities 0 0
Shareholders' equity
Subscribed capital 9,020 9,020
Capital reserves 42,170 42,082
Retained earnings 7,643 11,478
Exchange differences -149 -6
Total shareholders' equity 58,684 62,574
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity 69,494 76,315

Cash flow Statement

Cash flow Statement 01.01.–30.09.2007 01.01.–30.09.2006
K€ K€
Cash flow from operating activities
Net profit for the period after interest and taxes 675 4,702
Adjustment of net profit for income tax expense (+) 760 1,799
Adjustment of net profit for interest expense (+) 46 269
Adjustment of net profit for interest income (-) -792 -669
Adjustment of net profit for depreciation and amortisation expense (+) 614 536
Increase (+) / Decrease (-) in provisions 20 -24
Gains (-) / Losses (+) on the disposal of noncurrent assets -53 -14
Increase (-) / Decrease (+) in inventories, receivables and other assets -5,597 -66,250
Increase (+) / Decrease (-) in liabilities -1,392 27,949
Income taxes paid (-) -3,263 -4,593
Net cash used in/from operating activities -8,982 -36,295
Cash flow from investing activities
Proceeds (+) from the disposal of noncurrent assets 104 28
Acquisition (-) of property, plant and equipment and noncurrent
intangible assets
-1,388 -746
Payments from company acquisition (-) -1,868
Net cash used in investing activities -3,152 -718
Cash flow from financing activities
Proceeds (+) form issue of shares 0 42,550
IPO costs* (-) 0 -1,299
Dividend distribution (-) -4,510 -8,381
Appropriation of income from deferred receivables to capital reserve (+) 87 1,811
Repayment (-) of loans 0 -49
Interest paid (-) -44 -94
Interest received (+) 761 129
Net cash from/used in financing activities -3,706 34,667
Changes in cash and cash equivalents due to changes in interest rates -105 -124
Cash and cash equivalents
Changes in cash and cash equivalents -15,840 -2,346
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January 40,144 11,286
Total cash and cash equivalents 24,199 8,816
* costs for the initial public offering

Statement of changes in Shareholders' Equity

Shareholders' Equity Subscribed
capital
Capital
reserves
Exchange
differences
Retained
earnings
Total
K€ K€ K€ K€ K€
Shareholders' equity at 1 January 2006 67 7,913 174 12,177 20,331
Exchange differences 0 0 -122 0 -122
Appropriation of income from deferred
receivables to capital reserve (+)
0 1,811 0 0 1,811
= Non-operating loss 0 1,811 -122 0 1,689
Capital increase out of company funds 6,653 -6,653 0 0 0
+ Net profit for the period 0 0 0 4,702 4,702
- Dividends 0 0 0 -9,072 -9,072
+ Capital increase from retained earnings 2,300 38,952 0 0 41,251
Shareholders' equity at 30 September 2006 9,020 42,022 52 7,807 58,901
Shareholders' equity at 1 January 2007 9,020 42,082 -6 11,478 62,574
Exchange differences 0 0 -143 0 -143
Appropriation of income from deferred
receivables to capital reserve (+)
0 88 0 0 88
= Non-operating loss 0 88 -143 0 -55
+ Net profit for the period 0 0 0 675 675
- Dividends 0 0 0 -4,510 -4,510
Shareholders' equity at 30 September 2007 9,020 42,170 -149 7,643 58,684

Special Disclosures

Declaration of compliance

These interim financial statements produced at the end of the third quarter of 2007 were produced through the uniform application of and in accordance with all International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and International Accounting Standards (IAS), including in particular IAS 34 (Interim Reporting), applicable as at the 30 September 2007 statement date.

Basic principles of preparation

The IFRS interim financial statement was produced in euro (€) denomination. Most figures are presented as euro thousands (K€).

The same accounting, measurement and computational methods were employed as with the 2006 consolidated financial statements.

The income statement was prepared in accordance with the nature of expense method.

Pursuant to IAS 1, assets and liabilities carried on the balance sheet are classified as either current or noncurrent. Current assets or liabilities are those designated for disposal/redemption within a one-year time horizon.

The consolidated financial statements contain certain estimates and assumptions that have an impact on the recognition and carrying amounts of assets, liabilities, income, expenses and contingent liabilities. Actual amounts may differ from these estimates.

Notes to the assets and liabilities

Viscom AG acquired the Inspection Systems division from Phoseon Technology Inc. as part of an asset deal on 21 August 2007. The costs, which lie within the range of € 2.5 million and € 3 million, were exclusively costs allocated essentially to intangible assets (including acquired patents), and to a lesser extent to tangible assets. In addition, derivative goodwill of K€ 78 was also capitalised. In accordance with IFRS 3.62, reporting of the company acquisition is provisional, since the fair value measurement has not yet been concluded and the intangible assets to be taken into consideration in the allocation of the purchase price have not yet been finally determined.

(A1) Intangible assets

The Phoseon acquisition appears in intangible assets at a value of K€ 2,377. This is essentially assumed patents.

(P1) Other current liabilities

Other current liabilities include temporary liabilities of K€ 692 for the acquisition of the MX product family of Phoseon Technology Inc.

Events after the balance sheet date

No significant events occurred after the end of the third quarter of 2007.

Seasonality

The Viscom Group's business is seasonal in nature to a significant degree. More revenue tends to be generated in the second half of the year than in the first six months. The fourth quarter is typically the strongest quarter in terms of revenue.

Dividends

On 18 June 2006, Viscom AG distributed K€ 4,510 in dividends. This represents approximately 54 % of consolidated profits totalling K€ 8,373.

Audit of the accounts

As was the case with previous quarterly accounts, the quarterly accounts as at 30 September 2007 were neither examined by an auditor according to 320 HGB, nor were subjected to an audit review.

Disclosures on the Group's Europe Asia
Americas
Total
geographical segments bro
ken down by sales market
(in € thousands)
01.01.–
30.09.
2007
01.01.–
30.09.
2006
01.01.–
30.09.
2007
01.01.–
30.09.
2006
01.01.–
30.09.
2007
01.01.–
30.09.
2006
01.01.–
30.09.
2007
01.01.–
30.09.
2006
Revenue 22,854 26,763 6,190 4,416 4,509 6,844 33,553 38,023
EBIT 698 5,376 89 106 -110 619 677 6,101
plus financial result 742 414 8 0 6 -14 756 400
less income taxes -705 -1,537 -98 -21 45 -241 -758 -1,799
Net profit for the period 735 4,253 -1 85 -59 364 675 4,702

Responsibility Statement

To the best of our knowledge, and in accordance with the applicable reporting principles for group interim financial reporting, the group interim consolidated financial statements give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Group, and the Group interim management report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Group, together with a description of the principal opportunities and risks associated with the expected development of the group for the remaining months of the financial year.

Dr. Martin Heuser Volker Pape Ulrich Mohr

21

Financial Calendar

13 November 2007 Publication of interim report on the third quarter, conference call Hanover
13–16 November 2007 Productronica trade fair Munich
05–07 December 2007 Semicon trade fair Japan
20/21 February 2008 Technology Forum (Viscom AG) Hanover
27 March 2008 Annual Report 2007/Accounts Press Conference Hanover
28 March 2008 Analysts and Investors' Conference Frankfurt
12 June 2008 Annual General Meeting Hannover

Viscom AG

Supervisory Board Dr. Jürgen Knorr (Chairman)
Hans E. Damisch (Deputy Chairman)
Prof. Dr. Claus-Eberhard Liedtke
Executive Board Dr. Martin Heuser
Volker Pape
Ulrich Mohr
Head office Carl-Buderus-Str. 9–15, 30455 Hannover
Commercial Register of Hanover Local Court HR B 59616
Subsidiaries of Viscom AG Viscom France S.A.R.L., Cergy Pontoise Cedex, France
Viscom Inc., Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Viscom Machine Vision Pte Ltd., Singapore
Subsidiary of Viscom Machine Vision Pte Ltd.,
Singapore
Viscom Machine Vision (Shanghai) Trading Co., Ltd.

Credits

Published by Viscom AG, Carl-Buderus-Str. 9–15, 30455 Hanover, Germany
Tel. +49 511 94996-0, Fax +49 511 94996-900
[email protected], www.viscom.de
Responsibility Viscom AG, represented by the Executive Board
Editors Dr. Martin Heuser (Executive Board)
Volker Pape (Executive Board)
Ulrich Mohr (Executive Board)
Katharina Blanke (Investor Relations Manager)
Layout and design/Photography corinna.lorenz.grafik.design., Viscom AG
Fotografie Claudia Rump, www.claudiarump.de
Printing and production Druckhaus Benatzky, www.benatzky.de
Commercial register and registration number Court of registration: Hanover Local Court, Registration num
ber: HR B 59616, VAT ID number in accordance with section 27a
of the German VAT Act: DE 115675169
Copyright notice All photographs and text contained in this report are protected
by copyright. Reproductions of any kind require the express
written permission of Viscom AG.

Head office

Viscom AG Carl-Buderus-Str. 9–15 30455 Hanover Germany Tel.: +49 511 94996-0 Fax: +49 511 94996-900 [email protected]

Investor Relations

Viscom AG Katharina Blanke Carl-Buderus-Str. 9–15 30455 Hanover Germany Tel.: +49 511 94996-861 Fax: +49 511 94996-555 [email protected]

www.viscom.com