Pfäffikon SZ, October 20, 2005 − Unaxis saw consolidated sales of CHF 1,111 million for the first nine months of the current fiscal year. Before accounting for one-time restructuring costs, Unaxis achieved EBIT of CHF 47 million in the third quarter of 2005. Operating result (EBIT) after restructuring costs amounted to CHF 22 million. This means Unaxis is showing profit again, the first time since the third quarter of 2004.
Unaxis increased its third quarter sales by 12 percent versus the previous quarter, to CHF 409 million (Q2 2005: CHF 364 million). The level of orders received declined by 3 percent from the previous quarter, to CHF 373 million (Q2 2005: CHF 384 million). Business development was especially pleasing at the Coating Services segment (Balzers), which was able to further extend its market position, and at the Assembly & Packaging division (ESEC), where orders received rose by 68 percent. On the other hand, Data Storage Solutions, along with the Wafer Processing and Optics divisions, were still affected by cyclically related low market demand and correspondingly strong pressure on prices.
Operational trend reversal thanks to strict cost controls and efficiency increases
“Our positive operating result for the third quarter of 2005 means, Unaxis is returning to profit. This success is primarily the result of our resolute focus on cost controls in the second half of 2005,” said Unaxis CEO Thomas Limberger. The new management has enforced stringent budgets with clear objectives and performance assessment parameters. These led to economies in purchasing, production, and administration at all of the divisions. An efficiency-boosting program introduced at Marketing and Sales is beginning to show results. The restructuring program introduced at Vacuum Solutions (Leybold Vacuum) already took hold in the third quarter of 2005, while the outflow of funds at the Display Technology division could be reduced significantly. Unaxis has defined its investment policy priorities and postponed non-critical projects. In future, research and development activity will focus firmly on customer-oriented technologies with future potential.
Coating Services (Balzers): Further expansion of market presence
Coating Services (Balzers) increased its sales by 4 percent in the first nine months of 2005, to CHF 282 million (Q1–Q3 2004: CHF 270 million). Sales for the third quarter of 2005 showed a slight decline, to CHF 91 million (Q2 2005: CHF 100 million). Balzers achieved high growth rates of 25 to 40 percent in South America, Eastern Europe, and Asia, whereas sales increases in more mature markets lay in the single-digit range as a consequence of growing price pressure. Balzers further expanded its geographical market presence and opened two new in-house coating centers in Thailand and Brazil. BALINIT® HELICA, a new coating product for use in drilling applications, was launched to a positive customer response.
Vacuum Solutions (Leybold Vacuum): Cost-reduction program presses ahead
Vacuum Solutions (Leybold Vacuum) was able to maintain its business volume at levels similar to the prior-year period, with sales of CHF 281 million (Q1–Q3 2004: CHF 291 million) and orders received worth CHF 284 million (Q1–Q3 2004: CHF 279 million). Sales for the third quarter of 2005 rose versus the second quarter to CHF 95 million (Q2 2005: CHF 91 million), while orders received fell back slightly to CHF 92 million (Q2 2005: CHF 95 million). The broad-based business portfolio again proved its worth in the third quarter of 2005: Leybold Vacuum profited from good development in the process industry market segment, while the IT and Data Storage segments continued to suffer from cyclically weak demand. There was a sustained growth trend in Asia, where Leybold Vacuum launched several new products. The negative result is mostly the consequence of CHF 14 million in restructuring costs. Third quarter activity centered on the introduction of a new marketing organization, consolidation of locations, and reducing procurement and manufacturing costs. Linked to this was a reduction in the number of personnel. Leybold Vacuum intends its costreduction program to achieve savings of the order of CHF 50 million by 2007.
Data Storage Solutions: Continuing cyclical weakness in demand
Data Storage Solutions reported lower sales of CHF 96 million for the first nine months of 2005 (Q1–Q3 2004: CHF 179 million). Orders received amounted to CHF 107 million (Q1–Q3 2004: CHF 152 million). Sales showed a quarter-on-quarter decrease of 17 percent to CHF 35 million (Q2 2005: CHF 42 million). Orders received reduced by 45 percent to CHF 28 million (Q2 2005: CHF 51 million). Cyclically weak demand in the market for data storage systems continued unabated throughout the third quarter of 2005. Customers are further postponing their investments in new production equipment as a consequence of price pressure on end products, and the general competitive situation. Data Storage Solutions has pressed ahead with product development for new disc formats: the first production system for High Definition DVD has been launched, and a test system for Blu Ray was delivered to a key customer. With a view to increasing operational efficiency, Data Storage Solutions has intensified its procurement of materials in Asia and restructured its sales and service organization. This made it possible to improve margins on newly launched products.
Components and Special Systems: weighed down by business slump at Optics
Components and Special Systems reported lower sales of CHF 152 million for the first nine months of 2005 (Q1–Q3 2004: CHF 238 million). Orders received fell to CHF 161 million (Q1–Q3 2004: CHF 275 million). Sales picked up versus the second quarter of 2005, to stand at CHF 55 million (Q2 2005: CHF 48 million), while orders received increased to CHF 50 million (Q2 2005: CHF 47 million).
Optics recorded declines in sales and orders received for the first nine months of 2005. Sales in the third quarter remained steady versus the previous quarter, while there was a slight rise in orders received. It was mainly the division’s most significant area, Projection Displays, which continued to be hit by a market downturn and falling prices in front and rear projection. Only low-priced products exhibited a degree of recovery. Optics accordingly had to reduce the price of its prime product, ColorWheel™, by around 35 percent. Developments in BioChips have continued their pleasing advance, with yet another rise in the level of orders received. Far-reaching cost-reduction measures at all of the division’s locations meant that despite its low sales volume, Optics delivered a positive contribution to results.
Space Technology (Contraves Space) met expectations for orders received in the third quarter of 2005. On the other hand, sales growth turned out lower than planned as a consequence of program postponements at ESA. Contraves Space took over from Snecma Moteurs the French company’s entire business activities in the area of highprecision mechanisms for space applications. The acquisition means that Contraves Space is now Europe’s leading provider of Solar Array Drive Mechanisms (SADMs), which are key components for the powering of satellites.
Semiconductor Equipment: Recovery after the previous quarter
Sales by the Semiconductor Equipment segment for the first nine months of 2005 stood at CHF 300 million, significantly below the comparison figure for the previous year (Q1–Q3 2004: CHF 526 million). Orders received fell back to CHF 252 million (Q1–Q3 2004: CHF 489 million). However, quarter-on-quarter, Semiconductor Equipment achieved a 62 percent sales increase to CHF 133 million (Q2 2005: CHF 82 million), and 22 percent growth in orders received to CHF 111 million (Q2 2005: CHF 91 million).
Wafer Processing posted a decline in sales and orders received for the first nine months of 2005. Sales were up quarter-on-quarter, while there was a reduction in orders received. Only in September did Wafer Processing start to receive larger orders for photomask systems, and in the PVD area. The division has implemented a farreaching restructuring program across all of its business areas. This can be expected to have a positive effect as early as the fourth quarter of 2005, and lower the breakeven point for 2006 further still.
Assembly & Packaging (ESEC) reported significant declines in sales as well as orders received in the first nine months of 2005 versus the previous year. Yet compared to the second quarter of 2005, ESEC recorded a significant increase in demand, with sales rising by 77 percent and orders received by 68 percent. In particular, there was a marked pick-up in orders for the new Wire Bonder WB 3100. The cost-reduction program introduced in the first half of the year has already led to reduced manufacturing costs in the third quarter of 2005. Relocation of the Wire Bonder business unit, which will in future incorporate all of its key functions in Asia, continues according to plan. ESEC will achieve further cost reduction through global procurement of materials.
Display Technology recorded considerably lower business volume versus the prioryear period, as a consequence of its withdrawal from the flat display market. The division concentrated on moving ahead with existing projects, and maintaining installed equipment. Thanks to successful negotiations with key customers, Display Technology has been able to minimize the existing risks for projects currently underway in the flat display area, and considerably reduce its outflow of funds. Development of the solar business has been moving ahead as planned. Display Technology delivered its first equipment for mass production of large-area solar modules.
Outlook
Unaxis will continue to face challenging markets for the remainder of 2005. Business at Coating Services (Balzers) should remain on its positive development course. Semiconductor markets have meanwhile stabilized, and there is renewed dynamism in ESEC’s back-end business in particular. On the other hand, recovery in the markets for Vacuum Solutions (Leybold Vacuum), Data Storage Solutions, and Optics can only be expected to begin in 2006. Overall, Unaxis expects business development to undergo further improvement in the fourth quarter of 2005. As already announced on the occasion of the semi-annual results, the Unaxis Group expects 2005 sales below the level seen for the previous year, and a positive operating result (EBIT) for the second half of the year.
Unaxis will be pressing ahead vigorously with its program to increase profitability and set market expansion priorities. Says Unaxis CEO Thomas Limberger: “Management is convinced that these measures will really bite in 2006 and steer the group back to success. Everyone – Unaxis customers, employees, and shareholders – stands to profit as a result.”
Appendix: 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.
