First information financial year 2011

• Organic growth in order intake of 18%
• Positiv book-to-bill ratio of 1.1 for the second half year
• Q4 results in the order of Q1 to Q3 results expected
• Integration of the Dörries Scharmann Group leads to increased market share

The StarragHeckert group achieved an order intake of CHF 347 million in 2011. In local currencies and including Dörries Scharmann, acquired in January 2011, this corresponds to an organic growth rate on a pro-forma basis of 18%. Sales revenue amounted to CHF 354 million. StarragHeckert still expects Q4 results in a similar magnitude as in Q1 to Q3 2011.

In local currencies and including Dörries Scharmann, acquired in January 2011, sales revenue was organically 2.2% above prior year on a pro-forma basis, which is less than the organic increase in order intake. This is especially due to the uncertainty regarding the ownership structure of Dörries Scharmann until January 2011, which resulted in a low order intake in 2010 and in the first half year 2011.

Order backlog amounted to CHF 236 million at the End of 2011, being CHF 23 million below the pro-forma order backlog as of 31 December 2011, mainly due to currency translation effects.

The growth in order intake was mainly achieved in the market segments transport and precision machinery in Europe. The market segments aerospace and energy developed stable as well as Asia, where in the important markets in China and in India a strong presence was built up in customer service, sales and application engineering over the last few years. The integration of Dörries Scharmann Group led to first synergies in sales. Thus, the first order intakes for Dörries Scharmann could be generated through the StarragHeckert regional salesforce in the second half year 2011.

Despite the demanding market situation, StarragHeckert further invested into product development and into the further expansion of the global sales and customer service organisation in the reporting year. With this, StarragHeckert Group creates an excellent position to benefit exceptionally from the future growth of the markets.

Based on the current status of sales activities, a further positive development of new orders can be expected in 2012. However, it remains unclear how the uncertainties in connection with the European debt crisis will influence or delay investment decisions of our customers.

The annual report with the complete financial statements will be published at the Analyst and Media Conference on 9 March 2012 in Zurich.


Company profile StarragHeckert:

StarragHeckert together with Dörries-Scharmann is the global leading supplier of technologically advanced machine tools for boring, turning, milling and grinding of medium to large metallic or composite workpieces. Principle customers are internationally active companies in the aerospace, energy, transport and engineering sectors. The products, together with the technology and service offerings allow customers to achieve significant productivity gains. Group products are marketed under the Starrag, Dörries, Heckert, Scharmann, SIP, Droop + Rein, TTL, Berthiez, WMW and Ecospeed brands.

Headquartered in Rorschacherberg/Switzerland the group operates manufacturing plants in Switzerland, Germany, France, UK and India, as well as service and sales companies in various other countries. The holding company is listed at the SIX Swiss Exchange (Symbol: STGN).