EANS-News: W.O.M. World of Medicine AG
H1/2009: Return on sales within the
2009 target corridor
Berlin (euro adhoc) -
Corporate news transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer/originator is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
balance/Half-year Report
The return on sales before taxes of medical device manufacturer W.O.M. WORLD OF MEDICINE AG equaled 5.6% in the first half-year of 2009, and thus reached the target corridor for 2009 (6%), which the Management Board revised in May. Sales reflect a decline in the first six months of 2009 by 13.7% to TEUR17,367. The first half-year of 2008 was hallmarked by its above- average sales pace following placement of major orders, specifically in the camera division.
"The second quarter progressed with anticipated restraint," says CEO Peter P. Wiest. "However, in view of the strategic direction set for the next few years, these figures merely represent a snapshot of the difficult year 2009. We are investing in new sales regions such as Southeast Asia, the Middle East and South America, in order to generate a counterbalance to today's weakened US market. And an important component: Our presentation at the 'Hospitalar' trade show in June in Brazil. As a result, in the first half-year 2009, sales in the Rest of World segment rose once again: by 21.6% to TEUR2,113. In addition, we are stepping up our investments in research and development."
The transition to the new generation of Medical-HD® cameras, which have been batch shipped to specialized retailers since June, is currently underway. In addition, in the 2nd half-year a new multifunction pump will be brought to the market, and contracts with OEM customers for new pump systems were executed, which are expected to come to market within the next 12 months. "We are therefore focusing on our strategic orientation for the next few years, in order to expand the Company's market position and secure our employee positions over the medium- and long-term," says Peter P. Wiest.
According to Wiest, the current year still leaves many issues unanswered. "We anticipate that - given a cyclical time-delay with the USA - the crisis will be much more palpable in Europe in the second half-year of 2009. For this reason, we anticipate a similarly weak 3rd quarter 2009. There are indications of a recovery in the US market in the 4th quarter. Nevertheless, a current outlook from July based on the H1 figures shows uncertainties for reaching the sales and earnings goals set in May if the shift in trends will be postponed to the 1st half-year 2010."
The complete 2009 Half-Year Financial Report is available at: www.wor ld-of-medicine.com/wsc/pdf/wom/en/qr_halfyearreport_2009_wom.pdf
WORLD OF MEDICINE and its technologies are paving the way in Minimally Invasive Surgery - or MIS for short. This approach includes safe and gentle surgical procedures conducted not through major incisions, but through keyhole or puncture incisions. The Company is the global market leader in a niche of this future market.
end of announcement euro adhoc
Further inquiry note:
Stefanie Gehrke
Cell Phone: + 49 (0) 172 402 67 40
E-Mail: stefanie.gehrke@womcorp.com
Branche: Pharmaceuticals
ISIN: DE0006637390
WKN: 663739
Index: CDAX, Prime All Share, Technologie All Share
Börsen: Frankfurt / regulated dealing/prime standard
Berlin / free trade
Hamburg / free trade
Stuttgart / free trade
Düsseldorf / free trade
München / free trade