Willkommen bei Von Roll

Zurich, July 27, 2007 - In the first half of 2007, Von Roll achieved a highly promising performance. Compared to previous year, sales increased by 16% to CHF 315 million. Profit after tax earned over the first six months of 2007 more than doubled year-on-year from CHF 10 million to CHF 23 million. The outlook for the full 2007 financial year remains highly positive. An Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting is to be held on August 13, 2007 where the future course of Von Roll will be decided.

In the first six months of 2007 business performance was highly positive, in the wake of further progress in operations and favorable market conditions. Von Roll achieved growth in all relevant areas. Orders received rose by 23% to CHF 345 million compared to the first half of 2006, while sales were up 16% to CHF 315 million. Operating profit once more increased at an above average rate, rising by some 80% from CHF 16 million to CHF 29 million. At CHF 23 million, profit after tax more than doubled (+128%) year-on-year in the first six months of 2007 and almost reached the full-year result for 2006.

Strong growth in Asia and Europe

Both strategic business areas recorded positive growth in the period under review. Orders received by the Business Unit Electrical in the first six months of 2007 rose by 28% to CHF 267 million, while sales increased by 18% to CHF 233 million. Orders received by the Business Unit Industrial were up 9% at CHF 77 million, with sales rising by 13% to CHF 74 million.

Markets in Europe and Asia enjoyed sustained strong growth. In the period under review, Von Roll invested in the expansion of production capacity in order to meet this growth in demand. In June 2007, an additional plant was inaugurated in Shanghai for the production of enameled copper wires. Capacity was also expanded at the Breitenbach (Switzerland) and Valdoie (France) sites for the production of mica tapes.

Further increases in the price of copper accounted for roughly a quarter of the increase in the Von Roll's gross sales.

Expansion in the USA

On July 11, 2007, Von Roll signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of John C. Dolph Company, a US-based manufacturer of resins and varnishes. Closing of the contract will be within the next weeks. This move allows Von Roll to enhance its product range in the growth market for resins and varnishes for electrical insulation applications and further expand its presence in the American, Asian and European markets.

Positive outlook for the full-year

Von Roll expects to end the 2007 financial year with sales slightly in excess of CHF 600 million. Operating profit should be in the region of CHF 50 to 55 million, with profit after tax at around CHF 45 million. This provides confirmation that the earnings targets originally defined for 2008 will not only be achieved, but will be exceeded in the current year.

Successful strategy

Von Roll's operating business has performed extremely well since the comprehensive restructuring carried out in 2002/03. All key figures have improved year after year, thanks to a focused strategy. The medium-term prospects for sustainable profitable growth are good; the potential in Von Roll's core markets is enormous and will be systematically exploited. Von Roll's experienced management team aims to continue its consistent implementation of this successful strategy.

Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting

At the request of the minority shareholder group von Finck, an Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of Von Roll Holding AG will be held in Zurich on August 13, 2007 both to decide on the appointment to the board of four additional members nominated by the von Finck group, and on an ordinary capital increase. The Board of Directors recommends that the proposals be rejected. Its reasons have been adequately communicated. Shareholders are urged to express their opinions on the company's further strategic development and on the management team by casting their vote. To make sure that their votes count, all shareholders who are unable to attend the Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting must instruct their bank to vote on their behalf and state how they wish it to vote.

Von Roll: Kennzahlen

A complete version of the semi-annual report can be downloaded on this site.

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