EANS-News: Hönle with the expected weak first six months; improved orders position in the third quarter

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Gräfeling/München (euro adhoc) - The economic crisis also impacted on
the business development of the Hönle Group. With sales of TEUR
22,580 in the first six months of the year, revenues saw an
acquisition-based 25.2 % increase compared to the previous year´s
period. Owing to the recession earnings before interest and tax
(EBIT) dropped from TEUR 3,416 in the first half of the previous year
to TEUR -2,180 in the current financial year. Pre-tax earnings were
down from TEUR 3,702 to TEUR -2,204 in the same period and the Group
result declined from TEUR 2,844 to TEUR -1,686. Earnings per share
fell from EUR 0.52 EUR to EUR -0.31.

The liquid assets, securities and treasury stock inventory amounted
to TEUR 6,406 at the end of the reporting period and the equity
capital ratio came to 66.5 %.

Outlook: Owing to the weak economic situation, Hönle resolved on a
comprehensive package of measures at an early stage and has already
implemented large parts of this. The measures include a reduction in
personnel costs, transfer of the Eltosch production to Dr. Hönle AG,
and restructuring the adhesives segment. As a consequence, the Hönle
Group will already operate profitably after sales revenues have
reached ca. EUR 42 million in the next financial year.

Integration of the hitherto externally manufactured Eltosch GmbH
systems into Dr. Hönle AG is of central significance in this respect.
After control technology is being manufactured internally to a large
extent, mechanics will follow in a second step. This will enable more
efficient production of Eltosch UV and IR systems at lower costs. The
integration process will be finalised at the end of the financial
year.

A central location for the international activities of the Hönle
Group adhesives segment was opened in March. Development, purchasing,
sales & marketing and also logistics are now pooled at the
headquarters in Steinbach near Frankfurt. In the past, the business
activities of Panacol GmbH and Wellomer GmbH as well as significant
parts of Panacol AG in Switzerland were allocated to three different
sites. The new structure leads to an improved information flow,
optimises processes and contributes significantly to an increase in
the earnings power of the adhesives segment. Investments in the new
company premises ensure that all processes can be reflected in the
best possible manner. State-of-the art laboratory equipment offers
the technical preconditions for ensuring both efficient research
activities and a high quality standard in production. The adhesives
business of the Hönle Group is to be further expanded overall. To
this end, personnel in sales and marketing will be increased and the
extremely dynamic Asian market, in particular, will be tapped
further.

Initial signs of stabilisation of the business situation are
recognisable at the Hönle Group. Due to the improved orders position,
Management´s expectations are for rising sales in the third quarter
in comparison with the last quarter. The short time work could be
reduced perceptible in the third quarter. Moreover, the effects from
the cost savings programme will make themselves felt. Overall, the
Management Board expects a significantly improved result in
comparison with the first and second quarter.

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

Further inquiry note:

Peter Weinert

Tel.: +49 (0)89 856 08 173

E-Mail: peter.weinert@hoenle.de

Branche: Instrument Engineering
ISIN: DE0005157101
WKN: 515710
Index: CDAX, Prime All Share, Technologie All Share
Börsen: Frankfurt / regulated dealing/prime standard
Berlin / free trade
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München / free trade