DGAP-News: Balda AG: Balda shareholders support expansion
09.08.2007
Balda AG / Key word(s): AGM/EGM
09.08.2007 16:45
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– Asia for first time stronger than Europe
– Touch technology will drive growth
– 1 billion Euro target for 2010
– 100 years of innovation and technology
Bad Oeynhausen / Bielefeld; 9 August 2007 – The Balda Managing Board has
gained strong approval of its path of expansion which has opened up new
growth markets and innovative technologies for the almost 100-year-old
company. ‘Balda has developed into a globally operating high-technology
group. Innovation and technology are the key driving forces, as they were
100 years ago,’ stated Joachim Gut, Chairman of the Managing Board of Balda
AG. ‘Change is part of our tradition,’ Gut continued.
In the first half of 2007 Balda was, for the first time, in Asia stronger
than in Europe. Touch technology, which has been part of the Group since
last year, will be increasingly leading the company’s growth. A group
turnover of 1 billion euros is the aim for 2010. The Managing Board and the
Supervisory Board convinced shareholders of the company’s strategic
realignment in the context of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 9 August
2007. Resolutions for all items on the agenda submitted to the meeting by
the Managing Board, in agreement with the Supervisory Board, were passed by
the shareholders, with a large majority. The Managing Board’s strategy for
the expansion of the company’s presence in Asia and for investing in
growth technologies, together with the streamlining of activities in
Europe, met with broad approval among share-holders and gives Balda Group a
clear direction pointing into the future.
With over 60 percent of the company’s turnover coming from Asia from
January to June 2007, a clear paradigm shift in the firm’s direction can be
seen for the first half-year 2007. This strategic positioning sets the
groundbreaking trend for the current financial year. Joachim Gut explained
to the shareholders that Balda would be consistent in continuing to follow
the path successfully adopted. ‘Balda is today no longer a regional
manufacturer of plastic components. That is the past. We have developed
Balda into a supplier of complex and integrated system solutions. This is
where the future lies,’ said Gut.
Company profile Balda AG
The internationally operating Balda develops and produces highly integrated
devices comprising plastic, metal and electronic components, among other
things for touch sensors. Among the customers of the SDAX listed company
are international brand-names from the mobile telephony industry, medical
technology and various related markets.
The integration of plastic and touchscreen technologies creates completely
new customer benefits. Only Balda currently offers both technologies from
one source on a global scale. The group has a strong position in the
important growth markets China and India and owns four production
facilities in the region. With manufacturing facilities in Germany, Brazil,
Hungary and in the important growth markets China and India as well as in
Malaysia Balda is excellent positioned.
* * *
This press announcement includes ‘forward-looking statements’ which are
based on the current expectations of the management of Balda. They are
subject to risks and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend
on circumstances that will occur in the future, such as, for example,
developments in the mobile communications industry, changes in technology
and the ability to timely and successfully develop new products and various
other factors. Balda does not undertake any obligation to update publicly
or revise forward-looking statements except to the extent legally required.
This press announcement is not an offer of securities for sale or a
solicitation of an offer to purchase securities in the United States or
elsewhere. The shares in Balda AG (the ‘Shares’) may not be offered or sold
in the United States or to or for the account or benefit of U.S. persons
(as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the ‘Securities Act’)) unless registered under the
Securities Act or pursuant to an exemption from such registration. The
Shares have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act.
Enquiries: Balda AG, Clas Röhl and Kathrin Wiederrich, Tel. (05734) 922 –
2728 / 2751, Fax: (05734) 922 – 2691, E-Mail: croehl@balda.de,
kwiederrich@balda.de, Internet: www.balda.de
09.08.2007 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP –
a company of EquityStory AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
DGAP’s Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements,
Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.
Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de
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Language: English
Company: Balda AG
Bergkirchener Str. 228
32549 Bad Oeynhausen
Germany
Phone: +49 (0) 57 34 / 9 22-0
Fax: +49 (0) 57 34 / 9 22-2604
E-mail: info@Balda.de
Internet: www.balda.de
ISIN: DE0005215107
WKN: 521510
Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr
in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München, Stuttgart
End of Announcement DGAP News-Service
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