ECKERT & ZIEGLER BG 
By Regulated Information
Half-Year 2012 Results
Seneffe, Belgium, August 14, 2012, Eckert & Ziegler BEBIG (Euronext: EZBG; Reuters: EZBG.BR; Bloomberg: EZBG:BB), a global leader in brachytherapy, announced today its consolidated results for the first half-year ending June 30, 2012.
The half-year 2012 report including the management report and condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the 6 months ending June 30, 2012 can be downloaded at:
http://www.bebig.eu/investor_relations/financial_reports/interim_results.html:
http://www.bebig.eu/investor_relations/financial_reports/interim_results.html
Sales for the 1st half-year 2012 reached 14.0 million EUR, compared to 13.1 million EUR in 1st half-year 2011, showing an increase of 6.6%. The main components were income generated by the sales of permanent brachytherapy I-125 (Iod-125) radiotherapeutic implants as well as income from temporary brachytherapy equipment, i.e. HDR equipment using Co-60 (Cobalt-60) and Ir-192 (Iridium-192) sources (also called "afterloaders").
Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) have reached 1.1 million EUR in the 1st half-year 2012, versus 1.6 million EUR in the 1st half-year 2011, showing a decrease of 31.4%.
Net profit reached 0.39 million EUR in the 1st half-year 2012, compared to the net profit of 0.69 million EUR in the 1st half-year 2011. The main impact on the tax position is a planned non deductible charge linked to the purchase of SonoTech.
Total equity of the group stood at 39.5 million EUR on June 31, 2012, versus 39.1 million EUR in December 31, 2011.
Outlook
Although the number of patients treated remains stable, the price pressure in the European public health care sector is continuing to affect our niche market for permanent brachytherapy, as well as the introduction of alternative technologies. As it was anticipated in the last quarterly report, the reduction in reimbursement for prostate seed implantation has a further negative impact on the future sales for permanent brachytherapy.
In the fast-growing emerging markets, the management predicts continued expansion of its leading position in the temporary brachytherapy, especially in the BRICS countries. For the full year 2012, taking into account the increased demand, our current order book and seasonal fluctuations, management expects to have revenues from sales of HDR afterloading units exceeding the 2011 results.
The current euro zone debt crisis adds risks to our receivables, especially in the southern European countries affected by high public debt.
Overall revenues for the full year 2012 are expected to be slightly below last year's result. However, there will no longer be a significant contribution from the Russian project, as reflected in the figures for the last three years.
Under these conditions, the management expects an EBIT margin for the end of the year in the amount of 10%.
About Eckert & Ziegler BEBIG
...Contributing to saving lives!
Eckert & Ziegler BEBIG is a European-based group, active in the medical device sector of the healthcare industry.
Its core business is the treatment of cancer by brachytherapy, a special form of radiotherapy. Eckert & Ziegler BEBIG is a leader in brachytherapy in Europe and is headquartered in Belgium. It has a production facility in Germany and subsidiaries throughout Europe, as well as in India. Eckert & Ziegler BEBIG has also established a worldwide network of distributors and agents to support its product line.
The company's products and equipment are intended for use by oncologists, radiologists, urologists and medical physicists.
Eckert & Ziegler BEBIG employs more than 150 people. It has been listed on the Euronext stock exchange since April 1997 (Euronext: EZBG; Reuters: EZBG.BR; Bloomberg: EZBG: BB).
Contact
Investor Relations
Tel.: +32.64.520.808
Email: ir@bebig.eu:
mailto:ir@bebig.eu
Website: www.bebig.eu:
http://www.bebig.eu
The owner of this announcement warrants that:
(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and other applicable laws; and
(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the
information contained therein.
Source: Eckert & Ziegler BEBIG via Thomson Reuters ONE
