PRESS RELEASE: Komax Holding AG: Media release - Preliminary information on 2012 financial year

Komax Holding AG / Komax Holding AG: Media release - Preliminary information on 2012 financial year . Processed and transmitted by Thomson Reuters ONE. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

The business climate observed in the first half of 2012 persisted during the second half. Order intake totalled CHF 287.9 million (2011: CHF 380.4 million), while revenues came to around CHF 285 million (2011: CHF 371.4 million). The Group's annual financial statements and Annual Report will be published at the press conference and analysts' presentation to be held on 19 March 2013 in Zurich.

Komax Wire followed on from 2011's good results with an excellent year. At CHF 231.1 million (CHF 214.1 million after adjustment for acquisitions), order intake remained at a high level (2011: CHF 232.3 million). The business unit profited materially from the automotive industry, which remains in good shape in many areas. Komax Wire's global presence and worldwide customer network proved effective in balancing out the varying rates of development in the different geographical markets. Furthermore, the acquisitions made during the year proved successful. The integration of TSK Group and MCM Cosmic KK into Komax Wire is proceeding on schedule. In view of the brisk business experienced in the fourth quarter of 2012 and at the start of 2013, Komax Wire expects the new year to get off to a good start.

In 2012, Komax Solar was unable to escape the severe crisis that has hit the solar industry. The market for solar module manufacturing equipment slumped by about 90% compared to the previous year. As a result, Komax Solar's order intake was an extremely modest CHF 9.0 million (2011: CHF 63.7 million). In view of this development and the lack of any signs of a rapid recovery, the business unit took far-reaching measures during the year to adapt its structures to demand. As a result, headcount fell by more than 50% during 2012. The staffing reductions primarily affected the sites in York (PA), USA, and other locations outside Switzerland. Despite these stringent measures, the expertise needed to continuously develop processes and products was secured at the centre of excellence in the US. Consequently, Komax Solar is in a position to successfully defend its strong competitive position when the expected market recovery occurs. That being said, demand is not expected to improve before 2014.

2012 proved to be a very challenging year for Komax Medtech, marked by ongoing uncertainty about economic development in Europe. As result of this uncertainty, investment decisions on the procurement of new systems were delayed. The persistent strength of the Swiss franc further exacerbated the situation. Order intake consequently collapsed, totalling just CHF 47.8 million (2011: CHF 84.4 million). The business unit's centre of excellence at La Chaux-de-Fonds was hardest hit and was obliged to introduce short-time working for its entire workforce in June. This move had the effect of safeguarding the expertise available within the company. Short-time working was lifted in December after an increasing number of expected orders arrived towards the end of the fourth quarter and prospects improved. Furthermore, Komax has signed a memorandum of understanding with Doerfer Companies covering strategic collaboration in the medtech sector. Doerfer Companies is a leading American manufacturer of automation solutions and operates primarily in the USA and Asia. Collaboration will enable Komax to further strengthen its market position and improve profitability of its medtech business.

Financial calendar

Media briefing/presentation for analysts of 2012 19 March 2013 financial statements

Annual General Meeting 3 May 2013

First-half results 2013 20 August 2013

First information on the year 2013 21 January 2014

For more information, please contact:

Marco Knuchel Phone +41 41 455 06 16

Head Investor Relations / Corporate marco.knuchel@komaxgroup.com Communications

The Komax Group is a global technology company that focuses on markets in the automation sector. As a leading manufacturer of innovative and high-quality solutions for the wire processing industry, for the production of modules for the photovoltaics market and for systems for the manufacture of self-medication solutions, Komax helps its customers implement economical and safe manufacturing processes, especially in the automotive supply, solar panel and pharmaceutical sectors. The Komax Group employs around 1 350 people worldwide and provides sales and service support via subsidiaries and independent agents in around 60 countries.

The media release can be downloaded from the following link:

Media release (PDF): http://hugin.info/100418/R/1670272/542753.pdf

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Source: Komax Holding AG via Thomson Reuters ONE [HUG#1670272]

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Komax Holding AG Industriestrasse 6 Dierikon-LU Switzerland

WKN: 1070215 ;ISIN: CH0010702154;

http://www.komax.ch (END) Dow Jones Newswires

   January 15, 2013 01:00 ET (06:00 GMT)- - 01 00 AM EST 01-15-13