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	At EUR 12.4 million, 3rd quarter turnover is below previous year’s level (EUR 15.1 million)
	Net 3rd quarter results: EUR -0.6 million
	Record turnover and incoming orders in the components business – demand in the systems segment below previous year’s level
	First bulk order acquired in the photovoltaics industry
	Increase in turnover in the fourth quarter will ensure results within the forecast band

Ahrensburg, 8 November 2007 – Basler AG, one of the most eminent vision technology specialists worldwide, achieved 3rd quarter 2007 turnover of EUR 12.4 million (Q3/2006: EUR 15.1 million). Turnover in the first nine months of the year amounted to EUR 36.8 million (Q1–Q3/2006: EUR 38.0 million). Earnings before taxes in the past quarter came to EUR -0.6 million (Q3/2006: EUR 2.3 million) and, on an accumulated basis, to EUR -0.4 million (Q1–Q3/2006: EUR 5.0 million). Incoming orders exceeded the previous year's quarter by 25%, rising to EUR 13.1 million (Q3/2007: EUR 10.5 million). So far, incoming orders in the financial year totalled EUR 39.4 million (Q1–Q3/ 2006: EUR 41.9 million). Crucial factors in the third quarter were record turnover in the component business, weak turnover in the systems business and the US dollar's decline against the euro which had a negative effect on Basler’s business.
Overview of relevant figures:

	in million Euro	Q3 2007	Q3 2006	+/- %	Q1-3 2007	Q1-3 2006	+/- %
	Turnover	12.4	15.1	-18	36.8	38.8	-7
	Incoming orders	13.1	10.5	+25	39.4	41.9	-6
	Gross margin (in %)	46	52	-6 percentage points	46	53	-7 percentage points
	Result before taxes	-0.6	2.3	-126	-0.4	5.0	-108

3rd quarter 2007 turnover in the component business (Vision Components) exceeded the previous year by 33%, rising to a record level of EUR 7.7 million (Q3/2006: EUR 5.8 million). Turnover in the first three quarters amounted to EUR 21.1 million (Q1–Q3/2006: EUR 17.4 million, +21%). Incoming orders also reached a new peak at EUR 7.6 million, exceeding the previous year by 33% in the third quarter (Q3/2006: EUR 5.7 million). On an accumulated basis, incoming orders exceeded the previous year by 24%, rising to EUR 22.2 million (Q1-Q3/2006: EUR 17.9 million). Earnings before interest and taxes in the components segment came to EUR 0.8 million in the third quarter (Q3/2006: EUR 1.4 million); in the first three quarters, it amounted to EUR 2.8 million (Q1-3/2006: EUR 4.6 million).
3rd quarter turnover in the systems business (Vision Systems) totalled EUR 4.7 million (Q3/2006: EUR 9.3 million), declining by 49% compared to the record figure of the previous year's quarter. Turnover in the first three quarters came to EUR 15.7 million (Q1-Q3/2006: EUR 20.6 million), representing a 24% decline. At EUR 5.5 million, incoming orders in the Vision Systems segment in the third quarter exceeded the previous year's level by 15% (Q3/2006: EUR 4.8 million). In the period under review, the solar industry product line made a very welcome contribution to the company’s incoming orders position. We acquired the previously announced first bulk order from one of the leading global solar wafer producers, thereby creating a firm basis for further growth in this sunrise industry.
On an accumulated basis, incoming orders in the financial year 2007 so far amounted to €17.3 million (Q1-Q3/2006: € 24 million, -28%). Third quarter 2007 earnings before taxes and interest came to € -0.9 million (Q3/2006: € 0.9 million, -200%). The segment result of the first three quarters amounted to € -2.6 million (Q1 – 3/2006: € 0.7 million).
Owing to the volume and the margin structure of the order bank, we expect in the period under review significantly higher turnover and gross earnings in the fourth quarter of the financial year 2007. Assuming stable operating expenses, we therefore anticipate significantly positive earnings before taxes. Based on a narrower turnover band between € 51 million and € 53 million (2006: € 52.1 million), our plan now specifies pre-tax earnings between € 2 million and € 3 million in 2007 (2006: € 4.9 million).


The full quarterly report can be downloaded here.