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| Carl Zeiss Group presents half-yearly figures Successful end to first six months of 2007/08: revenues total EUR 1,451 million – 360 new jobs created around the globe – EUR 161 million invested in research and development | RTF Documents
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| STUTTGART/Germany, 29.05.2008. After the first six months of fiscal year 2007/08 (1 October 2007 to 31 March 2008) the Carl Zeiss Group has now presented its interim balance sheet: revenues reached EUR 1,451 million, an increase of eleven percent over the comparable value of the previous year (first half of 2006/07: EUR 1,303 million). After adjustment for currency influences, this growth was as high as 14 percent. In the first half of the fiscal year Carl Zeiss also successfully asserted its position in the international arena. In Europe and Asia in particular, the company posted increases in revenues over last year. After allowing for currency influences, a positive development was also observed in the US market despite the uncertainties currently evident there. Foreign business accounted for 85 percent of total sales. EBIT (Earnings before Interest and Taxes) rose by 28 percent – and by as much as 32 percent when adjusted for currency influences – to EUR 242 million (first half of 2006/07: EUR 189 million). Net income totaled EUR 149 million, an increase of 55 percent over the comparable period in the previous year (first half of 2006/07: EUR 96 million). At the press conference held on 29 May 2008 in Stuttgart, Dr. Dieter Kurz, President and CEO of Carl Zeiss AG, commented: “Our half-yearly figures show that we are on track to further success. In international business we have maintained our hold on the markets and – despite the strong euro – have also posted increases in revenues outside Germany.” Further increase in equity ratio The equity ratio reached 32 percent and has risen five percentage points compared to the first six months of 2006/07 (first half of 2006/07: 27 percent). Therefore, the Carl Zeiss Group has further expanded its financial stability and independence. Cash flow before income taxes reached EUR 302 million. This corresponds to 21 percent of revenues (first half of 2006/07: EUR 191 million; 16 percent of revenues). “Our earning power also has a positive effect on pre-tax cash flow. This has led to a further increase in net liquid assets which reached a total of EUR 670 million on 31 March 2008. This improves our good starting position for the implementation of our long-term growth strategy,“ explained CFO Dr. Michael Kaschke. Clear improvement in corporate value With an EVA® (Economic Value Added) of EUR 110 million, the Carl Zeiss Group once again clearly improved its corporate value during the first six months (first half of 2006/07: EUR 62 million). This corresponds to an increase of 79 percent. Carl Zeiss seeks new recruits On 31 March 2008, Carl Zeiss had a global workforce of 12,844 people, including 8,392 (65 percent) at the German sites. This means that the number of employees has risen by eleven percent compared to the first six months of 2006/07 (11,586 employees). The increase in manpower is attributable not only to changes in the scope of consolidation, but also to new recruits: in the first half of the current fiscal year Carl Zeiss created over 360 new jobs across the globe, more than half of which were in Germany. This trend is continuing: in Germany alone, the company is currently seeking over 100 new employees. Research and development: investment in the future In the first six months Carl Zeiss invested EUR 161 million in research and development activities (first half of 2006/07: EUR 137 million). Therefore, Carl Zeiss is utilizing eleven percent of revenues for the research and development of new technologies, products and solutions. The innovation rate shows that these investments are worthwhile: the company generates more than 60 percent of its revenues with products not older than five years. “With our high level of spending on research and development, we are investing in our future and in the constant expansion of our technology leadership. This also motivates our employees to strive passionately for innovations,” stressed Dr. Dieter Kurz. Portfolio strengthened In the first six months of fiscal year 2007/08 the company further strengthened its portfolio: in October 2007 the Medical Systems area of Carl Zeiss acquired the implant business of *Acri.Tec® AG, Hennigsdorf (Germany). The company has a leading position in the field of implants for eye surgery. With this move, Carl Zeiss is expanding its offering in the growing market segment of eye surgery. The acquisition marked an important milestone in the expansion of the company’s position in ophthalmology which, in addition to neuro and ENT surgery, is one of the two mainstays of its medical technology business. The Industrial Metrology Group has completely acquired the company Dr. Wolf & Beck GmbH, Wangen (Germany). Carl Zeiss has held a majority interest (75 percent) in this company since 2002. The core competency of the company focuses on the development, production and integration of non-contact optoelectronic sensors for coordinate measuring machines and on software solutions for optical metrology. At the beginning of the fiscal year the Industrial Metrology Group also acquired a 75 percent stake in Junker & Partner GmbH, Tholey (Germany). This has permitted Carl Zeiss to expand its product portfolio in the field of measuring devices for the automotive industry and gain access to new customer segments. Jörg Nitschke Vice President Corporate Communications Carl Zeiss AG Phone: +49 7364 20-3242 Fax: +49 7364 20-3122 E-Mail: 
j.nitschke@zeiss.deNumber: 0109-2008-ENG CC Number of Words: 933 Number of Characters: 6168 |
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