DGAP-News: Manz Automation AG: New orders and letters of intent with a volume of around EUR 25 million won at the '5th SNEC PV Power Expo'
(firmenpresse) - DGAP-News: Manz Automation AG / Key word(s): Miscellaneous
Manz Automation AG: New orders and letters of intent with a volume of
around EUR 25 million won at the '5th SNEC PV Power Expo'
07.03.2011 / 08:01
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- Major demand for crystalline and thin film solar technology
- Expansion at Suzhou site as basis for further growth in China
Reutlingen, March 7, 2011 - Manz Automation AG, one of the world's leading
technology providers for the photovoltaic and Flat Panel Display (FPD)
industry, is reporting a positive outcome from the '5th SNEC PV Power Expo'
in Shanghai. The company acquired orders and letters of intent for a volume
totalling around EUR 25 million at one of the world's most important
photovoltaic industry trade fairs. These relate to both systems for the
laser structuring and wet-chemical processing of thin film solar modules,
and crystalline solar cell manufacturing machinery.
In particular, the new SpeedPicker automation systems that were launched at
the end of last year elicited strong demand from Asian customers. At the
same time, this highlights the trend whereby newly constructed factories in
China are increasingly also being fully automated from the outset. Here,
too, rising quality requirements and essential cost-reductions can now only
be met by innovative automation systems entailing the highest level of
throughput and the lowest breakage rates.
Following the successful certification of the first Manz OneStep selective
emitter technology at customers, the company has now also received several
follow-up orders for these systems from prominent solar cell manufacturers
from China and Germany. Solar cell efficiency can be increased by up to
0.5% using the Manz laser systems - while at the same time incurring the
lowest additional costs compared to competitor systems. As a consequence,
the Manz OneStep selective emitter technology makes a considerable
contribution to enhancing the commercial efficiency of crystalline solar
cell production lines.
In view of the progress achieved at the trade fair, lively interest among
specialists in the company's technologies, and specific consultations with
customers about future projects, the Management Board anticipates
additional follow-up orders that should provide an additional boost to Manz
Automation's growth.
Dieter Manz, CEO of Manz Automation AG, expressed his satisfaction as
follows: 'We continue to report strong demand for our products from the
solar area. A particularly positive point to note in this context is that,
along with a continued high level of new order inflow in the crystalline
solar cellar area, the thin film area is now also picking up significantly.
Investment projects that have already long been in the planning stage are
now gradually being actually implemented, especially where Asian
manufacturers are concerned. Our aim is not simply to participate in this
positive trend, but also to play an active role in helping to structure it.
We are optimally prepared for this with our innovative and groundbreaking
technology portfolio.'
The company took the decision as early as last year to further expand its
production capacities in China in order to continue to cater to the growing
significance of the Asian solar industry for the company. This decision was
implemented on February 25, 2011 with the groundbreaking for the new plant
at the Suzhou site. The company is already active at this location with
around 350 employees, and produces wet-chemical systems for the FPD and PCB
industry. The total production area will be more than tripled as a result
of the new construction, with its first construction stage amounting to
around 20,000 m², which should be finished by the start of next year. Along
with systems for the FPD area, the first stage entails the construction of
systems for crystalline solar cell production at the new plant in China.
The plant is currently planned for around 700 employees initially. The
company already has options for further areas for future expansion at the
new site that offer the scope for short-term development.
Dieter Manz emphasised the great significance of the expansion of the site
at Suzhou: 'China is already an enormously important market for us that
will continue to grow in importance in the future. We regard geographic
proximity to our customers as a critical competitive advantage in this
context, allowing us to best meet the Chinese photovoltaic industry's
requirements. With the expansion of our production capacities and vertical
range of manufacturing on a local basis, Manz Automation will enjoy an
excellent starting base in the future to continue its path of dynamic
growth. German engineering and Germany quality standards in combination
with attractively priced local production will further strengthen our
competitive position, and consequently our leading market position.'
Company profile: Manz Automation AG
Reutlingen-based Manz Automation AG (ISIN: DE000A0JQ5U3) is one of the
world's leading technology providers for production systems in the
photovoltaic industry, the FPD industry and for Li-ion battery production.
The Manz Group's core competences are in robotics, image processing, laser
technology, quality assurance, metallization, wet chemicals as well as
control and drive technology. In-depth research and development activities
mean that Manz Automation now ranks among the world's technology leaders in
these segments. Manz has special photovoltaic experience in the field of
integrated system solutions for the manufacture of crystalline solar cells
and thin-film solar modules. With regard to the latter, the company is
characterized, in particular, by its unique expertise in CIGS technology.
Manz is the only provider to have access to a 30 MW CIGS reference factory,
run by its strategic alliance partner Würth Solar. This factory has been
tried-and-trusted since 2006 with 24/7 operations, and offers the highest
effectiveness recorded to date in mass production. The factory is available
as part of the strategic alliance with Würth for the further development of
production technology and the qualification of new processes and materials.
The Manz Group has sales and service branches in Germany, Taiwan, the USA,
China, South Korea, India and Spain. In addition, the Manz Group has its
own production facilities in Germany, Slovakia, Hungary, Taiwan and China.
Investor relations contact:
cometis AG
Ulrich Wiehle / Dominic Großmann
Tel.: +49 (0)611 - 205855-15
Fax: +49 (0)611 - 205855-66
E-Mail: grossmann(at)cometis.de
Public relations contact:
Manz Automation AG
Axel Bartmann
Tel.: +49 (0)7121 - 9000-395
Fax: +49 (0)7121 - 9000-99
E-Mail: abartmann(at)manz-automation.com
End of Corporate News
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Language: English
Company: Manz Automation AG
Steigäckerstr. 5
72768 Reutlingen
Deutschland
Phone: +49 (0) 7121 9000-0
Fax: +49 (0) 7121 9000-99
E-mail: info(at)manz-automation.com
Internet: http://www.manz-automation.com
ISIN: DE000A0JQ5U3
WKN: A0JQ5U
Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard);
Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, München, Stuttgart
End of News DGAP News-Service
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114557 07.03.2011
Datum: 07.03.2011 - 08:01 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 33392
Anzahl Zeichen: 0
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Kategorie:
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