Luterbach (ots)

In the first quarter of fiscal 2004/2005, the
Schaffner Group posted net sales of CHF 36.4 million (Q1 2003/2004:
CHF 36.6 million). Adjusted for currency effects, consolidated net
sales were up 2.6% year-on-year. Overall, the consolidated order
intake for the first three months of the current fiscal year amounted
to CHF 47.6 million (CHF 45.1 million), an increase of 5.5%, or 8.2%
adjusted for currency effects. This corresponds to a
quarter-on-quarter order increase of 28.9%. The book-to-bill ratio
reflects this clear increase in orders. At 1.31, the ratio of new
orders to net sales improved compared to both full-year 2003/2004
(1.01) and first quarter 2003/2004 (1.23).

Components increased net sales by 8.1% (currency-adjusted 10.8%)
to CHF 26.4 million (CHF 24.4 million), and accounted for 72.5% of
consolidated net sales. At CHF 35.3 million (CHF 31.7 million), new
orders were up 11.2% year on year (13.9% on a currency-adjusted
basis) and 40.4% compared with the previous quarter. The book-to-bill
ratio was 1.33. Test Systems recorded net sales of CHF 10.0 million
(CHF 12.2 million), a drop of -17.7% (currency-adjusted -13.9%). New
orders amounted to CHF 12.3 million (CHF 13.4 million), down -8.1% on
the previous year (-5.3% on a currency-adjusted basis). In contrast,
Test Systems saw a slight quarter-on-quarter increase of 4.0% in new
orders. The book-to-bill ratio was 1.23, which slowed the decline in
Test Systems.

Thanks to the stable growth rates in the high-margin Components
business, the Schaffner Group management team is retaining its
targets for full-year 2004/2005.

Kontakt:

Dr. Fritz Gantert
President & Chief Executive Officer
Tel. +41/32/681'66'02
E-Mail: fgantert@schaffner.com

Dr. Martin Zwyssig
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Tel. +41/32/681'66'08
E-Mail: mzwyssig@schaffner.com

Schaffner Holding AG, CH-4542 Luterbach
Tel. +41/32/681'66'26
Fax: +41/32/681'66'30
Internet: www.schaffner.ch