Press releases - archive
24.03.2010 - The Komax Group in the 2009 financial year
Challenging year of recession, return to profitability in 2010
Komax has posted a year-on-year decline in sales of 38 percent and a loss of CHF -19.8 million for the 2009 financial year. The company is nonetheless expecting to return to profit for the first half of 2010.
19.01.2010 - Komax Group – preliminary results for 2009
Considerable drop in sales in crisis year
The last business year has proven very difficult for the Komax Group. The Group suffered a drop in sales of around 40% and - for the first time in its history - a negative operating result.
10.11.2009 - Differing trends in thin-film and crystalline solar segments
The Komax Group is announcing 15 redundancies at its Rotkreuz plant as a result of the unsatisfactory order situation in its Solar business unit’s thin-film segment. By contrast, the crystalline segment’s order situation has improved in recent months.
06.11.2009 - Komax shows impressive powers of innovation at the Productronica
Komax is presenting a host of new products at the Productronica, the top trade show for the wire processing industry held every two years. In doing so, the global market leader in wire processing is underscoring its potent powers of innovation.
30.10.2009 - Komax signs credit agreement worth CHF 100 m
This week, Komax and a consortium of banks led by Credit Suisse signed a credit agreement valid until 31 January 2013, with credit lines totalling CHF 100 m. The agreement creates the necessary flexibility for the company, while providing financial security for operations and guaranteeing the further implementation of the business strategy. The successful conclusion of the agreement demonstrates the trust the banks are placing in Komax and in the positive outlook for the Group's future.
21.09.2009 - Restructuring in automotive-related wire segment
Following its announcement of 25 August, the Komax Group is now concretizing its restructuring plans for its automotive-related wire processing business. A total of 40 jobs will be eliminated; some 25 of these will be at Komax’s Dierikon and Stans sites in central Switzerland, the remainder at sites abroad.
25.08.2009 - Komax Group: Business in the first half of 2009
Huge decline in sales and new orders
The Komax Group generated sales of CHF 101.2 million in the first half of 2009, a fall of 40.6 percent on the previous year’s figure of CHF 170.2 million. For the first time ever, the six-month consolidated result is negative at CHF -11.0 million (previous year: CHF +14.5 million). Komax also expects to report another, albeit smaller, loss in the second half. The equity ratio stands at around 70 percent.
08.06.2009 - 2009 Cell Award Nomination for Komax
Komax Xcell 3400 stringer rises to the Top 3 Short List for the 2009 Cell Award in the category of Best Technical Product For Module Assembly. Komax was the only machine manufacturer for solar technology to achieve this Top 3 Short List position.
14.05.2009 - General Meeting approves all motions of the Board of Directors
08.05.2009 - Huge decline in sales and new orders
The Komax Group is expecting a huge decline in sales and new orders for the first half of 2009, resulting in a negative operating profit (EBIT). The cost-reduction programmes already in place will therefore be systematically continued and extended.
24.03.2009 - The Komax Group in the 2008 financial year
Sound results in a difficult climate
Despite the economic downturn in the second half of the year, the Komax Group achieved a solid result for 2008. Komax posted sales of CHF 341.9 million, 2.0 percent down on the previous year. Group earnings after tax (EAT) came to CHF 23.2 million. A dividend of CHF 2.00 per share is expected for 2008.
20.01.2009 - Komax Group – Preliminary results for 2008
Solid result expected for the year as a whole
Despite the economic downturn in the second half of 2008, the Komax Group expects a solid result for the year as a whole. Sales in 2008 fell slightly from CHF 349 million to about CHF 342 million. Order intake is also only slightly down, at CHF 380 million compared with CHF 389 million in the previous year. Currency effects have had an impact on the result.
09.12.2008 - Introduction of short-time working
Komax Group to introduce short-time working to its wire processing machines activities at Dierikon as of January 2009.
10.09.2008 - Komax Group: successful photovoltaic exhibition
The Komax Group can look back on a successful photovoltaic exhibition in Valencia, having landed orders worth over CHF 30 million. This figure includes one major order to outfit a 160 megawatt modules factory for German customer Algatec Solar AG.
26.08.2008 - Komax Group: Business in the first half of 2008
Higher sales and strong order intake
The Komax Group lifted sales by 2.6 percent in the first half of 2008 to CHF 170.2 million. Order intake was up by 15.6 percent, pointing to a healthy result for the year as a whole.
08.07.2008 - Komax Automation India Pvt. Ltd.
We are very pleased to announce the commencement of operation of the new subsidiary, Komax Automation India Pvt. Ltd. with effect from July 01, 2008 and would like to welcome our new colleagues from India into our Komax Group.
07.07.2008 - Positive order trend: well above previous year
Over the past six months, the Komax Group was able to raise its order intake by around 16 percent compared with the previous year. The Group is building a new production facility for photovoltaics in order to continue increasing capacity.
14.05.2008 - General Meeting 2008
General Meeting approves all motions of the Board of Directors
20.03.2008 - The Komax Group in the 2007 financial year
Continued growth targeted – EBIT margin at 12.4 percent
The Komax Group generated sales of CHF 348.8 million in fiscal 2007, which equates to a rise of 9.3 percent. The Group raised its EBIT margin to 12.4 percent with a 13.6 percent increase in operating profit. Finally, order intake rose a full 18.6 percent, to CHF 389.1 million. Komax is confident of achieving continued growth in 2008, and is targeting sales of CHF 600 million in 2012.
22.01.2008 - Komax Group – Preliminary results for 2007
Strong growth in the wire processing and photovoltaic sectors
According to its provisional figures, the Komax Group lifted sales in the 2007 financial year by 10 percent from CHF 319 million to about CHF 350 million. Order intake even rose by 19 percent from CHF 328 million to CHF 389 million. Europe and particularly Asia grew particularly strongly in 2007. The traditional wire processing business and the photovoltaics business both developed well.
12.11.2007 - Komax Group – Productronica 2007
In advance of the Productronica, Komax has once again made a substantial invest-ment in the development of innovative wire processing solutions. The main focus is on the new Kappa automatic cut-and-strip machines and the new Alpha fully automatic crimping machines. These models accommodate a large selection of processing sta-tions, reduce changeover times and allow long cables to be processed in a minimal amount of space. A further highlight is the new Zeta block loader with its unbeatable cost-benefit ratio for one-ended loading.
27.08.2007 - Komax Group: Business in the first half of 2007
Rise in sales and profit - strong second half expected
The Komax Group substantially improved both sales and earnings in the first six months of 2007, with performance in the relevant markets continuing to show a positive trend. The Group is confident of achieving its ambitious targets.
11.05.2007 - General meeting 2007 of the Komax Holding AG
General Meeting approves motions of the Board of Directors - Beat Kälin new CEO
27.03.2007 - Komax group - Fiscal 2006
Marked improvement in sales and profit
23.01.2007 - Komax Group – Preliminary results for 2006
Marked growth in all markets
29.08.2006 - Komax Group: Business in the first half of 2006
Sharp rise in sales and profit – bright forecast for the year as a whole
11.05.2006 - General Meeting 2006 of the Komax Holding AG
General Meeting approves motions of the Board of Directors – Payout ratio now 39%
04.04.2006 - Komax group - Fiscal 2005
Sales appreciably higher – market clearly recovering
24.01.2006 - Komax Group - Preview for fiscal 2005
Sales appreciably higher – clear improvement in second half
19.12.2005 - Komax Group: Another major order
Ismeca Automation, a member of the Komax Group, announced that it has landed another major order worth CHF 15 million. The customer is a world-leading computer and electronics manufacturer from the United States.
15.11.2005 - Productronica 2005
Cutting-edge solutions in wire processing
28.10.2005 - Major order in cutting-edge technology
Ismeca Automation, acquired by the Komax Group in April 2005, has landed a major order worth CHF 14 million. The client is an Israel-based company that applies cutting-edge technology to the production of power packs.
25.08.2005 - Komax Group: Business in the first half of 2005
Higher sales, less profit – second half expected to be better
17.05.2005 - General Meeting 2005 of the Komax Holding AG
General Meeting approves motions of the Board of Directors - Daniel Hirschi elected as new member of the Board
15.04.2005 - Komax expands further
The Komax Group is taking over the Ismeca Automation division of Schweiter Technologies.
03.02.2005 - Komax Group expands
Komax is to acquire Sigma, a Stans-based firm, from Bossard AG. Sigma is active mainly in small-scale systems, manufacturing transfer systems and mechanized assembly workstations. The acquisition marks a strategic move by Komax to continue growing its system business and to fill gaps in the market.
24.01.2005 - Komax Group - Preview of results for fiscal 2004
Sales down slightly – profit strong
12.11.2004 - Big turnout at sales show and major order
The Komax "In-house Show", held every two years, welcomed 890 visitors this year, an all-time record. Tremendous interest was shown in the 70 products displayed. Independently of the show, Komax landed a major order from a Japanese wire-harness manufacturer for about 40 crimping machines.
27.08.2004 - Komax Group – first half of 2004
Net income surges by 54.1%; EBITDA margin at 18.7%
11.05.2004 - Annual General Meeting 2004 of Komax Holding AG
Annual General Meeting approves Board's proposals
Good first half of 2004 anticipated
06.04.2004 - Komax Group - fiscal 2003
The Komax Group in fiscal 2003
Sales up 16%, EBITDA margin of 17.1%
23.01.2004 - Komax Group – Preview of results for fiscal 2003
Sales up 15% - EBIT margin over 12%
26.08.2003 - Komax Group – first half of 2003
Strong increase in earnings – operating profit margin 11%
14.05.2003 - Annual General Meeting 2003 of Komax Holding AG
Annual General Meeting approves Board's proposals - First half of 2003 expected to be good
14.05.2003 - Success through innovation
Komax receives international technology award
08.04.2003 - Komax Group - fiscal 2002
Currency-adjusted sales and earnings above previous year
14.02.2003 - Major order for wire-processing machines
Sales of 150 fully automatic crimping machines
31.01.2003 - Komax Group - Preview of results for fiscal 2002
Sales and profit at previous year's level
06.11.2002 - Posive performance - outlook confirmed
Good order intake
27.08.2002 - Komax Group - First-half Report 2002
Result below previous year - Noticeable uptrend - Stronger second half anticipated
15.05.2002 - Annual General Meeting 2002 of Komax Holding AG
Annual General Meeting approves proposals by the Board of Directors - Annual General Meeting approves proposals by the Board of Directors -
Komax AG suspends short-time work
09.04.2002 - Komax Group - fiscal 2001
Growth affected by difficult economic environment
05.03.2002 - Delay in order intake at Komax AG Switzerland
Effective 1 April 2002, Komax AG based in Dierikon/Switzerland is planning to introduce short-time working for its production staff. The reduction in working hours will amount to 20%-40% and is likely to affect some 150 employees. This action is in response to an unsatisfactory order intake at the time being.