Mikron posts further increase in sales

Demand for Mikron Group products remained healthy in 2012. Europe is still the Group's main market. Net sales rose by 12 percent. Adjusted for acquisitions – factoring out the new company Mikron Berlin – growth amounts to 5 percent.

Mikron's Annual Report, containing the Group's detailed results for 2012, will be published at the Media and Analyst Conference on 18 March 2013.

Machining segment
Mikron Machining is a leading supplier of customized, highly productive machining solutions for the manufacturing of complex, high-precision components made of metal. Customers in the automotive component supply, watchmaking and writing instruments industries account for the majority of the segment's net sales.

During 2012, Mikron Machining further developed various machines, expanded the tools business in Switzerland and Germany, and consolidated the service base in China. The relatively broad-based demand from Europe and Asia and the good order backlog at the beginning of the year resulted in a pleasing 9 percent increase in net sales to CHF 134.7 million (previous year: CHF 123.3. million). Order volume declined significantly in the second half of the year, resulting in falling net sales in the fourth quarter, especially in the tools business. The segment's total order intake for 2012 came to CHF 123.6 million (previous year: CHF 148.3 million, -17 percent).

Automation segment
Mikron Automation is one of the world's leading manufacturers of customized, highly productive automation solutions for high-precision assembly and testing of products up to hand size. The segment operates primarily in the medical devices, pharmaceuticals, automotive supply and consumer goods industries.

The acquisition of IMA Automation Berlin GmbH further strengthened Mikron's position in the European automation business by adding new applications. In 2012, Mikron Automation's order intake totaled CHF 113.0 million, which is a significant improvement on the previous year (CHF 77.1 million, +47 percent or +28 percent after adjustment for acquisitions). Mikron Automation generated higher net sales in both Europe and the United States. In the US, Mikron Automation succeeded in acquiring various new customers with the potential for future orders. Despite the very low order backlog at the beginning of the year, the segment generated net sales of CHF 101.2 million (previous year, CHF 88.1 million, +15 percent or -1 percent after adjustment for acquisitions).


Contact:
ikron Management AG Martin Blom CFO Mikron Group Phone: 062 916 69 60 E-Mail: ir.mma@anti-cluttermikron.com

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