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SEZ Group Books Higher Order Intake For First Half-Year 2002
- Investments in Long-Term Growth are effecting current profitability
In the first six months of business year 2002, the SEZ Group (SWX: SEZN) increased its order intake in comparison to the same period last year from CHF 105.5 million to CHF 108.8 million. Consolidated net sales were CHF 96.6 million in the first half of 2002 compared to CHF 149.8 million in the previous year. Order backlog increased by 25 percent from CHF 47.1 million at the beginning of the year to CHF 59.0 million on June 30, 2002. Book-to-Bill ratio for the period January to June was 1.13 (prior year: 0.70). Operating income (EBIT) reflects decisive investments in new technologies and markets as well as strengthening of the operational structure. For the first half-year 2002, the SEZ Group reports consolidated loss of CHF 2.1 million (first half-year 2001: consolidated net income of CHF 23.5 million) and CHF –0.16 (CHF 1.90) per share (EPS) respectively.
In the first six months, the SEZ Group received volume orders from both the Asia-pacific region and the USA. More than 40 percent of new orders were for equipment for the treatment of 300 mm wafers. Stabilization in demand is due primarily to new technologies (300-mm wafer, miniaturization of structure widths, new materials such as copper, low-k dielectrics). Among others, in July 2002, SEZ received orders for multiple Spin-Processor systems from a European 300 mm wafer consortium as well as from a well-known Japanese microchip manufacturer. This development confirms SEZ's strong position in the international market for single-wafer treatment. The new orders emphasize the unique position of the SEZ Group and its unrivalled Spin-Process technology.
The management of the SEZ Group assumes that a considerable recovery of the market for semiconductor equipment will not take place before the fourth quarter of this year. Correspondingly, short-term market visibility does not allow any reliable forecast.
About SEZ
The SEZ Group is a leading supplier of wet wafer surface preparation equipment to the global semiconductor manufacturing industry. The company's proprietary Spin-Processor technology (single wafer technology) as well as its wet bench equipment for batch processing forms the basis of a broad equipment solution portfolio for wafer cleaning and decontamination. SEZ maintains development, manufacturing, sales, marketing and service operations in Europe, Asia and North America. Registered in Zurich, Switzerland, SEZ Holding AG is listed on the Swiss Exchange under the symbol SEZN since 1996.
Half-year Results
| in CHF million | in Euro million | in USD million | | | 06/2002 | 06/2001 | 06/2002 | 06/2001 | 06/2002 | 06/2001 | | Net sales | 96.6 | 149.7 | 65.8 | 97.8 | 59.0 | 87.8 | | Operating income (EBIT) | 3.0 | 37.7 | 2.0 | 24.6 | 1.8 | 22.1 | | Net income (loss) | (2.1) | 23.5 | (1.4) | 15.4 | (1.3) | 13.8 | | Order intake 2002 | 108.8 | 105.5 | 74.1 | 68.9 | 66.5 | 61.9 | | Order backlog June 30 | 59.0 | 94.2 | 40.1 | 61.9 | 39.8 | 52.5 |
Attachment This information includes following tables (half-year 2002): key figures, statement of income, balance sheet, statement of cash flows, changes in shareholders' equity.
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