euro adhoc: Basler AG / Financial Figures/Balance Sheet / Basler records consistent profitable growth & raises 2008 forecast for the second time (E)

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06.11.2008

Ad-hoc release according to Section 15 WpHG (German Securities Trading Act)

. Fundamental data show substantial improvement over previous year
< Turnover: + 23%,
< Pre-tax earnings: + 300%,
< Free cash flow: + Euro 1.7 million
. Decline in incoming orders
. 2008 turnover and earnings forecast raised for the second time

Ahrensburg, 6 November 2008 - Basler AG, one of the main international vision
technology specialists, recorded a significant increase in 3rd quarter turnover
and revenue over the previous year.
The company's 3rd quarter turnover in the amount of Euro 15.3 million exceeded
the previous year's figure by 23%. On a cumulative basis, turnover in the
financial year 2008 rose by 16% to Euro 42.5 million compared to the previous
year. 3rd quarter earnings before taxes amounted to Euro 1.2 million, while
standing at Euro -0.6 million in the comparable period of 2007. In the first 9
months of 2008, positive earnings before taxes were generated in the amount of
Euro 2.8 million - the previous year's figure amounted to Euro -0.4 million. At
Euro 11.3 million, 3rd quarter incoming orders declined for the first time in
2008 (-20%). This decline reflects the slowdown in the economic environment.
The cumulative incoming order volume of the current financial year's first nine
months rose to a record figure of Euro 53.4 million. This represents a 33%
increase over the previous year's period. Our order book reaches well into the
2nd quarter of 2009. At Euro 1.7 million, our 3rd quarter 2008 cash flow was
positive (Q3/2007: Euro 0.1 million). On a cumulative basis, the free cash flow
in the financial year 2008 increased from Euro -2.8 million in the previous
year to Euro +2.9 million.
Overview:
|in million Euro |Q3/ |Q3/ |+/- |Q1-3 |Q1-3 |+/- |
| |2008 |2007 | |2008 |2007 | |
|Turnover |15.3 |12.4 |+23% |42.5 |36.8 |+16% |
|Incoming orders |11.3 |14.1 |-20% |53.4 |40.2 |+33% |
|Gross margin (in %) |48 |46 |+2 |50 |46 |+4 |
| | | |percentag| | |percentag|
| | | |e points | | |e points |
|Pre-tax earnings |1.2 |-0.6 |n.a. |2.8 |-0.4 |n.a. |

In the 3rd quarter 2008, turnover in the Basler Components division rose by 4%
to the new record figure of Euro 8.0 million. In the first nine months of 2008,
digital cameras generated turnover in the amount of Euro 22.9 million - 9% more
than in the previous year's period. Incoming orders amounted to Euro 8.4
million in the 3rd quarter (Q3/2007: -2%). The 2008 cumulative incoming order
volume increased by 12% to Euro 25.8 million. In the 3rd quarter, the component
business generated earnings before taxes and interest of Euro +1.0 million
(+25% over the previous year's period), rising to Euro +3.0 million in the
first 9 months (Q1-Q3/2007: Euro 2.8 million) despite high investments in the
video surveillance market.
3rd quarter turnover in the Basler Solutions division amounted to Euro 7.3
million, which represents a 55% increase over the 3rd quarter 2007. In the
first nine months of 2008, the cumulative turnover amounted to Euro 19.6
million (previous year's period: +25%). As expected, incoming orders in the
Basler Solutions division declined by 48% to Euro 2.9 million after two very
robust preceding quarters. This decline was due to a cyclical slowdown in
demand in the flat screen industry. Total incoming orders in the first nine
months amounted to Euro 27.6 million - a 61% increase over the previous year.
The segment's 3rd quarter earnings before taxes and interest amounted to Euro
+0.3 million (Q3/2007: Euro -0.9 million). On a cumulative basis, the Basler
Solutions division generated total segment earnings of Euro +0.2 million
(comparative period 2007: Euro -2.6 million).
Due to the positive development of the financial year's first nine months and
owing to our solid order book, we are raising our forecast for the financial
year 2008 for a second time despite the slowdown in the market environment. We
now expect turnover in the amount of Euro 55 million and pre-tax earnings of
just above Euro 3.0 million. Once again, our free cash flow will be positive in
the fourth quarter.
The quarterly report is available online and for download at
www.baslerweb.com/finanzberichte. Basler AG, Dietmar Ley (CEO), An der Strusbek
60-62, 22926 Ahrensburg, Tel. +49(0)4102-463100, ir@baslerweb.com,
www.baslerweb.com, ISIN DE 0005102008

Further inquiry note:
Verena Fehling
Assistant to the Board / Investor Relations
Telefon: +49(0)4102 463-100
E-Mail: Verena.Fehling@baslerweb.com

end of announcement euro adhoc
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emitter: Basler AG
An der Strusbek 60-62
D-22926 Ahrensburg
phone: +49 (0) 4102 463 0
FAX: +49 (0) 4102 463 108
mail: info@baslerweb.com
WWW: http://www.baslerweb.com
sector: Semiconductors & active components
ISIN: DE0005102008
indexes: CDAX
stockmarkets: regulated dealing/prime standard: Börse Frankfurt, free trade:
Börse Berlin, Börse Hamburg, Börse Stuttgart, Börse Düsseldorf,
Börse München
language: English

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