Biel, January 20, 2012, 7:00 a.m. The Mikron Group posted an order intake of CHF 225.0 million (+2 percent on the previous year’s figure of CHF 219.8 million) in 2011 and achieved the significant growth (+16 percent) in net sales to CHF 210.9 million (previous year CHF 182.5 million) it had been aiming for. Order backlog is a healthy CHF 95.9 million (previous year: CHF 84.2 million, +14 percent). Mikron’s EBIT margin (as a percentage of sales) for 2011 financial year will exceed 4 percent.

Despite the uncertainties and upheaval on the financial markets, demand in most of Mikron’s markets held up well in 2011. Thanks to solid growth in volumes, improvements in the product mix, a marked gain in productivity and further progress in risk management, Mikron improved its EBIT to over CHF 9 million (previous year: CHF 1.5 million) and its operating result to over CHF 7 million (previous year: CHF 0.5 million).
Machining segment

In the business segment Machining Mikron produces machines and cutting tools for the high-productivity manufacturing of complex metal components. Customers in the automotive supply, watchmaking and writing instruments industries account for the majority of the segment’s net sales.

Mikron Machining benefited from the good overall economic environment, substantially exceeding expectations with an order intake of CHF 148.3 million (previous year: CHF 121.2 million, +22 percent). The division was particularly successful in increasing order intake in its main market of Europe and in Switzerland.

The net sales figure of CHF 123.3 million (previous year: CHF 103.4 million, +19 percent) is broad based. The rise in order intake resulted in very good capacity utilization throughout the year.

Automation segment

In the business segment Automation Mikron produces systems for the automatic, high-precision assembly of up to hand-sized products. Customers in the pharmaceutical, medical and automotive supply industries account for the majority of the segment’s net sales.

The Automation segment was particularly hit by exchange rate trends. At CHF 77.1 million, Mikron Automation’s order intake fell substantially short of its excellent 2010 figure (CHF 99.6 million, -23 percent). However, the division was able to significantly increase its net sales to CHF 88.1 million (previous year: CHF 79.9 million, +10 percent).

Mikron Automation was able to gain additional market share in both Europe and Asia with its new EcoLine product platform.


Brief profile of the Mikron Group

The Mikron Group operates worldwide as a leading supplier of production and automation solutions for the manufacture of high-precision products. Its main markets are the automotive component supply industry, the pharmaceutical and medical industries, the writing instrument industry, and the electronics and watchmaking industries. Mikron’s customers benefit from more than 100 years of experience in the manufacture of customized production solutions. Its powerful and reliable machines, systems and tools fulfill the highest standards in terms of precision, economy and flexibility. A comprehensive range of services rounds off Mikron’s market offering. The Mikron Group’s operations are divided into the two divisions Mikron Machining and Mikron Automation. The Group employs a workforce of almost 1000, the majority of them at its two main sites in Agno (Switzerland) and Boudry (Switzerland). Further manufacturing facilities are located in Rottweil (Germany), Monroe (USA), Denver (USA), Singapore and Shanghai (China).