15 percent sales increase despite demanding market environment – Future core businesses developing favorably – Considerable loss at Display Technology and extraordinary items burden consolidated results – Proposed repayment of capital via reduction of par value in the amount of CHF 14 per share
Pfäffikon SZ, March22, 2005 – In the 2004 financial year, Unaxis recorded a 15 percent increase in sales to CHF 1,850 million (2003: CHF 1,610 million). With the exception of Data Storage Solutions, all segments contributed to this rise in sales by registering double-digit growth rates. Growth impulses came primarily from the Asian region, so that in 2004 Asia for the first time represented the most important sales region for Unaxis with a 44 percent share of consolidated revenues. Due to cyclical fluctuations in certain market segments, the CHF 1,778 million worth of orders received was roughly unchanged versus the prior-year level (2003: CHF 1,788 million).
Future core business developing favorably
The company’s future core business, related to Thin Film and Vacuum Technology, developed in a generally favorable manner during the past financial year. The relevant segments – Coating Services (Balzers), Vacuum Solutions (Leybold Vacuum), Data Storage Solutions as well as Components and Special Systems (Optics and Space Technology) – saw sales increase to CHF 1,283 million (2003: CHF 1,182 million) and on the whole recorded an operating profit of CHF 121 million (2003: CHF 119 million).
Coating Services (Balzers) in 2004 enjoyed a 16 percent increase in sales to CHF 367 million and, with an EBIT of CHF 57 million, once again registered good results (2003: CHF 43 million). Last year, the segment opened five new coating centers, thereby expanding its worldwide network to what is now a total of 61 locations.
Vacuum Solutions (Leybold Vacuum) achieved a 10 percent increase in sales to CHF 379 million last year, but its operating earnings of CHF 5 million (2003: CHF 11 million) did not meet expectations in terms of profitability. A restructuring of the manufacturing processes at the Cologne facility has had an initial positive impact on productivity.
Data Storage Solutions, following its outstanding results in the previous year, experienced a 29 percent decline to CHF 208 million in 2004 sales. Its operating earnings stood at CHF 14 million (2003: CHF 37 million). The segment recorded good sales of its PARAGON production system for DVD RW, as well as the FUSION DVD R replication line that was developed in collaboration with Mitsubishi Chemicals.
Components and Special Systems can look back on an extremely good 2004 financial year, mainly thanks to the achievements at the Optics division. Sales rose by 44 percent to CHF 328 million and operating earnings increased to CHF 44 million (2003: CHF 28 million). Optics benefited in particular from the ongoing boom in demand for rear-projection televisions. Space Technology (Contraves Space), despite the generally difficult market environment, can be satisfied with the past financial year. Once again, Space Technology contributed significantly to a number of European outer space missions, among others the successful Cassini / Huygens research voyage to Saturn’s moon Titan.
Significant operative progress at future Semiconductor Equipment segment
Unaxis’ future Semiconductor Equipment segment, comprised of the Wafer Processing and Assembly & Packaging (ESEC) divisions, increased its sales by 42 percent to CHF 462 million. Before restructuring costs and impairments, the segment recorded a nearly breakeven operating result of CHF –5 million (2003: CHF –73 million). The segment will be restructured and developed into an independent supplier of semiconductor manufacturing equipment so that it can independently exercise its strategic and operative options. Wafer Processing in 2004 once again focused its business activities on profitable niches. Thus its market share in photomask etching equipment continued to expand, and the VERSALINE deposition and etching system for laboratory applications and medium-scale production runs was successfully introduced to the market. Operating efficiency was heightened through the use of unified product platforms and the division’s new procurement strategy. Assembly & Packaging enjoyed strong sales during the first half of 2004, particularly in the area of die attach. However, Assembly & Packaging was confronted in the second half with both a market-related downturn in demand and considerable pressure on prices.
Heavy loss due to Display Technology and extraordinary items
The financial risks associated with the display-related projects, which were significantly higher than originally expected, placed a heavy burden on the company’s 2004 financial results. Before restructuring costs and impairments, Unaxis incurred an operating loss of CHF –137 million for the 2004 financial year. Including restructuring costs of CHF 40 million, goodwill impairments of CHF 150 million related to Assembly & Packaging, as well as impairment charges at Display Technology amounting to CHF 39 million, an EBIT loss of CHF –366 million (2003: CHF 16 million) resulted at the Group level. Display Technology will be restructured and potentially sold.
Investments in product innovation and market development
In 2004, Unaxis spent CHF 180 million on research and development, a 17 percent increase over the previous year. Investments in fixed and intangible assets rose to CHF 240 million (2003: CHF 98 million), mainly due to the expansion of Coating Services’ global network of coating centers as well as to the additional goodwill resulting from the merger with ESEC (CHF 109 million).
Healthy balance sheet and substantial net liquidity
Unaxis in 2004 generated positive cash flow from operating activities in the amount of CHF 102 million. Due to the net investment outflow of CHF 123 million as well as dividend payments, net liquidity declined by CHF 57 million to stand at CHF 625 million on 12/31/2004 (12/31/2003: CHF 682 million). Shareholders’ equity eased to CHF 1,216 million (2003: CHF 1,488 million), which represents an equity ratio of 50 percent.
Despite the unsatisfactory financial results for 2004, Unaxis remains on course in the majority of its business activities. The Board of Directors and Executive Board are convinced that the strategic and operative measures introduced to date are laying the foundation for the profitable and sustainable development of the Group.
Outlook for the 2005 financial year
In 2005, the markets for Unaxis’ future core business of Thin Film and Vacuum Technology should develop in a generally favorable manner. These activities are to be broadened and made more profitable through geographic expansion, increased organic growth and the development of new areas of application.
Coating Services will benefit from continuing demand for coating services and thereby expand its market position even further in 2005. The segment plans to open eight new centers this year as well as launch three new coating products. Vacuum Solutions expects to grow at an above-average pace and, with the goal of achieving a significant increase in profitability, will initiate a restructuring project. Data Storage Solutions anticipates that market demand will recover in the second half of 2005. During the course of the year, the segment intends to introduce new technologies such as DVD R Double Layer, as well as expand its position in the hard disk area by offering an improved range of products. Due to an anticipated decline in the assembly business for Optics, the Components and Special Systems segment reckons that its course of business in 2005 will be slower than in the very good previous year. Nevertheless, Optics will solidify its leading market position in projection display by achieving a higher level of efficiency, as well as expand its position in the market segments for lighting as well as sensors and instruments through the introduction of new applications. Space Technology in 2005 will continue to develop its core payload fairings business and strengthen its position in the commercial market by means of new projects.
he Semiconductor Equipment segment reckons that 2005 will witness stagnation in the semiconductor market, a tendency that is likely to have an impact on the course of business particularly at Assembly & Packaging. On the other hand, the market segments of relevance to Wafer Processing should continue to develop favorably. Assembly & Packaging is going on the assumption that demand for die bonders will remain weak in 2005, but that some of the slack will be taken up by increased sales of wire bonders. The division’s competitiveness is to be further improved through the phased build-up of production capacity in Asia. The prospects for Unaxis’ semiconductor-related activities remain intact over the long term.
Proposals to the General Meeting
Due to the heavy consolidated loss incurred in the 2004 financial year, the Board of Directors will propose at the upcoming General Meeting that payment of a dividend be waived. However, in view of the company’s high level of liquidity, the Board will propose a reduction of par value of each Unaxis share from CHF 20 to CHF 6 and that shareholders in turn receive a payment of CHF 14 per share. This reduction in par value is a means of capital repayment that is advantageous for shareholders from a tax point of view.
Unaxis’ currently valid corporate statutes release shareholders who own more than 33 1/3 percent of its outstanding voting rights from the obligation under Article 32 of Stock Exchange Act to make a public tender offer for the remaining shares of the company ("Opting Out"). The Board of Directors is of the view that opting out is no longer compatible with modern corporate governance practices and therefore will propose that the afore-mentioned clause be abrogated. The intent in so doing is to enhance the attractiveness of Unaxis’ shares, which ultimately is in the best interest of all shareholders. Unaxis is the only company included in the Swiss Market Index (SMI) to have an Opting Out clause.
After their terms of office expire, Dr. Willy Kissling and Dr. Pius Baschera will not stand for reelection to the Board of Directors. As of the general meeting of shareholders on April 26, 2005, the former Vice Chairman, Dr. Markus Rauh, will take over as Chairman of the Board. The Board of Directors will present a proposal at the General Meeting for the election of additional Board members and publish this proposal accordingly.
