EANS-Adhoc: Basler AG / Basler reports strong financial figures for 2008: Increase in turnover & earnings, strong positive cash flow, forecasts achieved . Turnover: Euro 56.5 m, + 10% . Pre-tax e

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annual report

17.03.2009

Ad hoc release according to Section 15 WpHG [German Securities
Trading Act] Financial figures / annual accounts

Ahrensburg, 17 March 2009 - BASLER AG, one of the leading
international vision technology companies, has achieved, and in some
areas exceeded, the forecasts for the financial year 2008.

The group turnover rose by 10% to a record Euro 56.5 m (2007: Euro
51.5 m). Incoming orders also increased by 11% to a new all-time high
of Euro 62.9 m (2007: Euro 56.6 m). The gross margin remained
unchanged at 49%. The gross profit increased, in proportion to
turnover, to Euro 27.9 m (2007: Euro 25.3 m). Earnings before taxes
(EBT) rose by 61% to Euro 2.9 m (2007: Euro 1.8 m). Earnings after
taxes (EAT) increased by 91% to Euro 2.1 m (2007: Euro 1.1 m). The
earnings per share (EPS) amounted to Euro 0.59 (2007: Euro 0.31).

In the financial year 2008, the cash flow from operating activities
rose by 84% to Euro 12.3 m (2007: Euro 6.7 m). The corporate
management-relevant cash flow after investment activities (free cash
flow) reached a new record high at Euro 4.7 m, a Euro 6.3 m increase
over 2007. Cash in hand was almost twice as high as in the previous
year at Euro 7.7 m as of the cut-off date (2007: Euro 3.9 m, +97%).
The group's equity ratio amounted to 56% (2007: 55%). As of the end
of the financial year, BASLER AG's available credit lines amounted to
Euro 3.3 m.

This consistent improvement in key figures reflects the strong
business performance of both reporting segments in 2008. At Euro
29.7 m, BASLER COMPONENTS (digital industrial cameras) increased its
turnover by 8% over the previous year (2007: Euro 27.5 m). This
increase was predominantly due to the expansion of BASLER's
international leadership in the fast-growing gigabit ethernet camera
segment. BASLER COMPONENTS thus consolidated its market position as
number two in the global market for digital industrial cameras in
2008. The company's entry into the promising video surveillance
market forms the basis for further growth outside the capital goods
industry. BASLER SOLUTIONS (inspection solutions for industrial mass
production) recorded an approximately 12% increase in its 2008
turnover to Euro 26.8 m (2007: Euro 24.0 m). This is predominantly
due to the significant expansion of market share in the LCD industry.
Following the launch of several new products and an increase in the
relevant customer base, the business with the solar industry also
followed a positive trend.

The BASLER Group has started the new financial year with solid
finances and an order backlog of Euro 24 m (31 December 2007: Euro
16.1 m). Due to the current global economic crisis, 2009 sales
revenues in almost all segments of the capital goods industry are
expected to be substantially lower than in the previous year. VDMA,
the German Mechanical Engineering Association, forecasts a 15%
decline in turnover in the German vision technology sector in 2009.
Should the weak demand that dominated the entire industry in the last
few months continue, sales revenues may slump even further. The
extent and duration of the global economy crisis and its effects on
BASLER in the financial year 2009 are currently uncertain. Due to the
restrained incoming order situation at the end of 2008 and the start
of 2009, the management board does not expect BASLER's two divisions
to remain unaffected by the difficult economic environment. The
management board has therefore prepared the company for the expected
decline in turnover and income. With its global presence, innovative
products and streamlining in all corporate areas, the company is
shaping up well for the imminent changes in the vision technology
market.

The annual report is available for download at
www.baslerweb.com/finanzberichte.

end of announcement euro adhoc
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ots Originaltext: Basler AG
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Further inquiry note:

Basler AG, Dr. Dietmar Ley (CEO), An der

Strusbek 60 - 62, 22926 Ahrensburg, Germany. Tel. +49 (0)4102-463100,

ir/baslerweb.com, www.baslerweb.com, ISIN DE 0005102008

Branche: Semiconductors & active components
ISIN: DE0005102008
WKN: 510200
Index: CDAX
Börsen: Börse Frankfurt / regulated dealing/prime standard
Börse Berlin / free trade
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