Pfäffikon SZ, April 27, 2004 - The ongoing recovery in IT markets, particularly in the Asian region, had a favorable impact on the course of business at Unaxis during the first quarter of 2004. The company received orders totaling CHF 579 million, a 55 percent increase over the comparable prior-year period. This gratifying flow of orders testifies to the competitiveness of Unaxis’ product portfolio. Sales also rose in comparison to the previous year. The 28 percent gain to CHF 469 million was mainly attributable to the Asian region, where the company recorded a significant 64 percent increase in revenues, which now represent a 46 percent share of Unaxis’ total sales. In comparison to the previous quarter, the volume of incoming orders remained at a high level but slightly lagged the total for the fourth quarter of 2003, which was driven by several large-scale orders. On the other hand, total sales witnessed a modest increase versus the previous quarter. Fierce competition as well as persistent weakness in the US dollar continued to put pressure on margins.
Semiconductor Equipment segment:
Renewed year-on-year increase in orders received and sales
Yet again in the first quarter of 2004, the Semiconductor Equipment segment enjoyed increasing demand for semiconductor production systems. In comparison to the comparable prior-year quarter, the value of orders received surged by 155 percent to CHF 220 million. Sales totaling CHF 163 million stood 47 percent higher than in the previous year. Thanks to its leading technology, the Wafer Processing division booked a significant number of orders for the MASK ETCHER and was also able to benefit from growing demand for etching systems used in the telecommunications industry. Business activities continued to develop favorably at the Assembly & Packaging (ESEC) division, which once again received high-volume orders for die bonding equipment and concluded initial follow-up sales of the “Tsunami“ wire bonder. The division also managed to win a major order for flip chip bonders from a Taiwanese customer. The Display Technology division received significant orders yet again in the first quarter of 2004, among others initial bookings for the latest Generation 7 PVD systems used in the production of largesurface flat panel TV screens. Due to the two large-scale orders it received during the fourth quarter of 2003, Display Technology’s first-quarter bookings stood 27 percent lower on a quarterly basis. Nonetheless, the entire segment saw its total sales increase by 25 percent in comparison to the previous quarter.
Data Storage Solutions segment:
Significant year-on-year rise in sales
The CHF 66 million worth of orders received by the Data Storage Solutions segment during the first quarter of 2004 represented an 11 percent decrease in comparison to the extremely strong bookings recorded in the prior-year period. However, its total sales rose an impressive 89 percent to CHF 66 million. This positive course of business is mainly attributable to strong demand for production systems used to manufacture rewritable data storage media (DVD RW). Also, the segment received additional orders for the DVD R production line that was developed in collaboration with Mitsubishi Chemicals, as well as for its new DVD-9 line. In comparison to the previous quarter, Data Storage Solutions registered a 3 percent increase in orders received, while its total sales declined by 17 percent.
Coating Services segment:
Renewed increase in sales and gratifying progress achieved in growth markets
The Coating Services (Balzers) segment put in a solid Q1 2004 showing. Its sales rose to CHF 88 million, representing a 13 percent increase year-on-year and 9 percent in comparison to the previous quarter. The segment’s favorable course of business was mainly attributable to its heightened degree of market penetration in Asia and South America, as well as to the fine results achieved in its equipment business.
Vacuum Solutions segment:
Orders and sales rise again in comparison to previous year
In comparison to Q1 2003, orders received by the Vacuum Solutions (Leybold Vacuum) segment during the first three months of 2004 increased by 6 percent to CHF 94 million, while sales rose 9 percent to the CHF 91 million level. In particular, the segment’s turbomolecular pumps and new “ScrewLine” dry fore-vacuum pumps witnessed favorable developments in the market this past quarter. Compared to the previous quarter, order flows remained essentially unchanged and sales improved by a slight margin.
Components and Special Systems segment:
Clearly stronger order flow versus previous year
The Components and Special Systems segment booked CHF 112 million worth of orders, representing a significant 147 percent year-on-year increase. Sales also rose in comparison to Q1 2003 by 8 percent and amounted to CHF 62 million. Above all, the Optics division enjoyed continuing strong Asian demand for its front- and rear-projection optical components, as well as favorable trends in its “Lighting & Sensors“ and “Instrumentation“ business areas. The Space Technology division was able to win development contracts from ESA for the new VEGA launch vehicle and SMOS Earth-observation project. In comparison to the previous quarter, orders received by the segment exceeded the already strong fourth quarter of 2003. Total sales eased, however, due to the postponement of orders on hand at Space Technology (Contraves Space).
Outlook for 2004
Continuing favorable market trends anticipated
From today’s vantage point, it would appear that the market will continue to develop favorably, particularly in Asia. For 2004, further buoyant demand is expected at the Semiconductor Equipment and Data Storage Solutions segments. Given a sustained economic recovery, the Coating Services, Vacuum Solutions and Components and Special Systems segments should also continue to develop favorably. However, particularly for the Semiconductor Equipment segment, the otherwise positive market dynamic stands in direct contrast to relentless margin pressure that is being exacerbated by the weak US dollar. Going forward, the markets in which Unaxis is active will to the greatest extent remain cyclical, but the company is meeting the related challenges through its increased flexibility to make rapid adjustments to production capacity.
Attachment: Key figures tables
This media release is based on information currently available to management. The forward-looking statements contained herein could be substantially impacted by risks and influences that are not foreseeable at present, so that actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, expected or projected.
