SAF Provides Indication on 2008 Business Results
Tägerwilen (euro adhoc) -
Total 2008 revenues expected to equal prior year level - Software license sales suffered in Q4/08 due to cautious customer investment attitudes
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companies/indicative results 2008
- Total annual revenues of approx. EUR 13.3 million at prior year level - License sales via direct business channel and OEM partner time-delayed
Tägerwilen/Switzerland, January 28, 2009. SAF AG, which is listed in the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ISIN CH0024848738), expects revenues in FY/08 of approx. EUR 13.3 (FY/07: EUR 13.2 million) to be at prior year level. For the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company expects revenues of approx. EUR 2.8 million (Q4/07: EUR 3.9 million).
Due to the increasingly difficult economic situation and the pessimistic forecasts of various economic institutes for 2009, many retailers have postponed their capital expenditures. "We were surprised by the weakness of license revenues at year end," comments Dr. Andreas von Beringe, SAF AG CEO, in describing the situation.
"Originally, we and our OEM partner evaluated the list of expected license contract closures as extremely positive and assumed that the ongoing contract negotiations would be successfully completed prior to year end," adds von Beringe. "Currently, we expect that the license contract closures with potential new customers via OEM and direct sales business have not been lost, but rather that they have been time-delayed."
SAF feels that it is well prepared for difficult times. The Company profits from the increasing maintenance business that has developed into a significant and stable revenue guarantor as well as from revenues from the service business. In addition, SAF also benefits from a solid cash position. "Without a doubt, we were not satisfied with the development of the fourth quarter. However, for the total year, we were able to maintain revenues at prior year level and will report a positive net profit. SAF is in a good position to develop its business in a sustainable way, even during economically difficult periods," remarks von Beringe.
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About SAF AG SAF Simulation, Analysis and Forecasting AG specializes in the development of automated ordering and forecasting software for retailers and industrial manufacturers. SAF deploys the demand chain management approach, which controls replenishment planning based on consumer demand patterns. SAF software assists users to realize substantial cost savings and optimizes general logistics conditions through its simulation capabilities. As a result, significant competitive advantages are achieved along the entire value chain: lower inventories, improved product availability, and last, but not least, a higher level of customer satisfaction.
SAF AG was established in 1996 by Dr. Andreas von Beringe and Prof. Dr. Gerhard Arminger. SAF shares are listed at the official market (Prime Standard) at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FWB). Today, the company employs approx. 100 people. Consolidated sales revenues for fiscal year 2007, were approx. 13.2 million EUR with consolidated profit of 3.0 million EUR according to IFRS statements. SAF's products are distributed in many European countries as well as in the United States. The company is headquartered in Tägerwilen, Switzerland. SAF also has a subsidiary in the United States: SAF Simulation, Analysis and Forecasting U.S.A., Inc., Grapevine, Texas and in Slovakia, Bratislava: SAF Simulation, Analysis and Forecasting Slovakia s.r.o. with the focus on Nearshore-Development.
Forward Looking Statements and Estimates This information contains forward looking statements based on assumptions and estimates of SAF's Management Board. Although we assume the expectations in these forward looking statements are realistic, we cannot guarantee they will prove to be correct. The assumptions may harbor risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual figures to differ considerably from the forward looking statements. Factors that may cause such discrepancies include, among other things, risks that are mentioned in the annual report 2007. SAF does not plan to update the forward looking statements, nor does it assume the obligation to do so.
end of announcement euro adhoc
Further inquiry note:
Astrid Strömer
+41 (0)71 666 79 48
astrid.stroemer@saf-ag.com
Branche: Software
ISIN: CH0024848738
WKN: A0JD78
Index: Prime All Share, Technologie All Share
Börsen: Börse Frankfurt / regulated dealing/prime standard
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