Order intake remains strong at SEZ Group

The SEZ Group received new orders worth CHF 30.4 million in August 2000, bringing its total order intake in the first eight months of the year to CHF 177.7 million. Orders in hand at August 31, 2000 had risen to CHF 117.3 million, a significant jump compared with the first-half figure of CHF 74.2 million. Sales increased to CHF 107.6 million in the first eight months of 2000, compared with CHF 77.1 million for the first six months. The book-to-bill ratio was 1.65 for the period from January 1, 2000 to August 31, 2000.

SEZ aims to increase sales by 50% to approximately CHF 250 million in 2001
The management of the SEZ Group is confident that it will reach its sales target of CHF 160 to 170 million and a net profit margin of 16% for the year 2000 as a whole. In view of the company's very good performance, it aims to increase sales by 50% to approx. CHF 250 million in fiscal 2001.

Outstanding first half of 2000
In the first half of 2000, the SEZ Group raised consolidated net sales by 249% to CHF 77.1 million (1st half of 1999: CHF 22.1 million). The operating profit (EBIT) in the first half of 2000 came to CHF 16.8 million (CHF -1.8 million); at June 30, 2000, the SEZ Group had achieved an EBIT margin of 21.8%. Net income for the first six months increased significantly over the year-back period to CHF 12.1 million (1999: CHF 0.8 million). This figure amounted to 15.7% of sales.

In the current business year, the SEZ Group has succeeded in establishing its unrivalled spin-process technology (a wet-process for wafer surface treatment in microchip production) as a world industry standard. In particular the continued strong demand for SEZ spin processors confirms the SEZ Group's leading position in the market for semiconductor manufacturing equipment.

Villach/Zurich, September 07, 2000