STUTTGART/Germany, 12.12.2007.
The high-tech Carl Zeiss Group has brought fiscal year 2006/07 to a very successful close, with further increases in revenues and EbIT (Earnings before Interest and Taxes) compared to the very good figures reported the previous year. At its traditional December press conference in Stuttgart, the company announced its first provisional figures for the fiscal year that ended on September 30.
Sales revenues of the Carl Zeiss Group rose by seven percent to EUR 2,604 million (last year: EUR 2,433 million). This increase was achieved primarily through organic growth. After adjustment for currency influences, this represents an increase of as much as nine percent. The company generated around 83 percent of its revenues outside Germany and grew in Europe and Asia in particular in fiscal year 2006/07. With a total of EUR 2,704 million, incoming orders reached a record level and have risen by seven percent over the good value recorded last year.
The growth posted for EbIT was even stronger: it increased by 26 percent to EUR 394 million (last year: EUR 313 million). “The Carl Zeiss Group can look back on an excellent fiscal year. We have increased both our revenues and earnings. Therefore, we are continuing the series of successes that has lasted for four years now,” summarized Dr. Dieter Kurz, President and CEO of Carl Zeiss AG. This also includes the repeated improvement in the EbIT margin which now totals 15 percent.
A considerable increase in the cash flow before income taxes was once again achieved: this totaled EUR 549 million (last year: 410 million), the equivalent of 21 percent of sales. “The continuous rise in EbIT and cash flow in the past few years clearly underscores the company’s successful and sustained focus on value enhancement,“ CFO Dr. Michael Kaschke emphasized. Cash funds totaled EUR 962 million on the balance sheet date, giving the company scope for further growth (net liquid assets: EUR 612 million).
In fiscal year 2006/07 Carl Zeiss invested a total of EUR 107 million in property, plant and equipment (last year EUR 118 million). This compared to depreciations totaling EUR 114 million (last year: EUR 99 million).
The equity ratio rose by eight percentage points to 30 percent and therefore reached the set mid-term target. The corporate value also clearly exceeded the equivalent figure of the year before. Measured with the EVA® (Economic Value Added) performance indicator, the value rose to EUR 133 million (last year: EUR 82 million).
Research and development strengthened
Spending on research and development rose to EUR 290 million (last year: EUR 254 million) or eleven percent of revenues. “We generate almost 60 percent of our revenues with products that are no older than five years. In other words, we succeed in quickly turning our ideas into market success“, Kurz explained.
More than 500 new jobs
On the balance sheet date (30 September), the Carl Zeiss Group had 12,257 employees (last year: 11,249) across the globe, of whom 4,292 (last year: 3,406) worked outside Germany. This equates to 1,000 (nine percent) more than last year. 470 employees in this figure were the result of changes to the scope of consolidation.
During fiscal year 2006/07, Carl Zeiss created more than 500 new jobs worldwide, including around 360 in Germany. On the balance sheet date, the Carl Zeiss Group in Germany had 417 trainees.
Portfolio optimized
In fiscal year 2006/07 Carl Zeiss further optimized its portfolio: in December 2006 the company sold Prontor GmbH, Bad Wildbad, to the Munich-based enterprise VTC Industrieholding. Its integration into the VTC group of companies opens up good prospects to Prontor GmbH for the future. VTC retained all 270 employees.
In March 2007 the Microscopy Group acquired the equipment business of the US company Clarient Inc., Aliso Viejo/California, thus strengthening its commitment to the promising field of clinical cancer diagnostics and cancer research.
In June 2007 the Semiconductor Technology Group acquired Leospore Pte. Ltd., Singapore. The company now operates under the name Carl Zeiss SMT SEA Pte. Ltd. and will control direct sales in the South-East Asia region in the future. This will enable Carl Zeiss to enhance its on-site customer care. In addition, the technical maintenance and service offering will be expanded.
In July 2007 Carl Zeiss Optronics GmbH acquired a 70 percent interest in the South African company DENEL Optronics (Pty.). Ltd., Irene/Centurion. This will allow Carl Zeiss to further sharpen its competitive edge.
On 1 October 2007, directly after the end of fiscal year 2006/07, the Industrial Metrology Group completely acquired the company Dr. Wolf & Beck GmbH, Wangen, near the German city of Göppingen. Carl Zeiss has held a majority interest in this company since 2002. Also on 1 October 2007, the business group acquired a 75 percent stake in Junker & Partner GmbH, a firm headquartered in Tholey in the Saarland region of Germany. This has permitted Carl Zeiss to expand its product portfolio and gain access to new customer segments.
At the beginning of October 2007 the publicly listed company Carl Zeiss Meditec AG acquired the enterprise *Acri.Tec® AG based in Hennigsdorf, Germany. This has enabled Carl Zeiss Meditec to considerably strengthen its market position in Germany and expand its offering in the growing market segment of eye surgery.
Continue with  December Press Conference 2
Marc Cyrus Vogel
Vice President Corporate Communications
Carl Zeiss AG
Phone: +49 7364 20-3242
Fax: +49 7364 20-3122
E-Mail: 
vogel@zeiss.de
Number: 245/07 CC
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