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DJ euro adhoc: Sartorius AG / Financial Figures/Balance Sheet / Currency-adjusted sales revenue up 2.8%; order intake in constant currencies up 0.9%; operating result (EBITA) at EUR40.6 million; EBITA margin: 8.9%; financing on a solid, broad-based footing; robust operating result expected in the fourth quarter

Sartorius AG / Financial Figures/Balance Sheet 

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  Disclosure announcement transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer is responsible
  for the content of this announcement.
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28.10.2008 

To ensure the best possible comparability, the figures of the year-earlier
period are presented on a pro forma basis and adjusted for non-operating
effects. 

For the nine-month period, the Sartorius Group achieved a currency-adjusted gain
of 2.8%. Consolidated sales revenue in the reporting currency is at EUR453.4
million (2007 pro forma: EUR458.8 mn; -1.2%). The Biotechnology Division's sales
revenue was up a currency-adjusted 1.0%, but edged down 3.0% in the reporting
currency, from EUR281.8 mn to EUR273.3 mn. The Mechatronics Division´s revenue
grew 1.7% (currency-adjusted: +5.5%) from EUR177.0 mn to EUR180.0 mn. The
Group´s order intake eased 3.0% (currency-adjusted: +0.9%) from EUR468.2 mn to
EUR454.0 mn (Biotechnology: -5.1%, currency-adjusted: -1.1%; Mechatronics:
+0.2%, currency-adjusted: +3.9%. 

Operating earnings (EBITA) are at EUR40.6 million relative to EUR46.9 million a
year ago (Biotechnology: EUR29.1 mn vs. EUR35.2 mn in 2007; Mechatronics:
EUR11.4 mn vs. EUR11.7 mn in 2007). Currency effects and the higher R&D costs
budgeted weighed down on earnings. Particularly impacted by the higher euro-zone
base interest rate, consolidated net profit after minority interest totals
EUR10.0 mn (2007: EUR16.2 mn). Earnings per share, excluding the two non-cash
items of amortization and interest for the share price warrants granted, are
accordingly at EUR0.80 (2007: EUR1.11). 

In view of the increasingly difficult global economic conditions, we currently
do not consider it possible to make an accurate and reliable quantitative
forecast of further business development. We continue to see ourselves
well-positioned in our markets, but do not expect to reach the full-year targets
we announced on the basis of our first-half 2008 figures, because of the gloomy
economic environment. However, we do anticipate a robust operating result for
the fourth quarter as well. 

in millions of EUR (unless      9-month 2008    9-month 2007    Change
otherwise specified)                            pro forma       in % 

Sartorius Group
Sales revenue                   453.4           458.8           -1.2 (+2.8)
Order intake                    454.0           468.2           -3.0 (+0.9)
EBITA 1)                        40.6            46.9            -13.6
Net profit 1)2)                 13.7            18.9            -27.8
Earnings per share 1)2) in EUR  0.80            1.11 

Biotechnology Division
Sales revenue                   273.3           281.8           -3.0 (+1.0)
Order intake                    269.3           283.8           -5.1 (-1.1)
EBITA 1)                        29.1            35.2            -17.2 

Mechatronics Division
Sales revenue                   180.0           177.0           +1.7 (+5.5)
Order intake                    184.8           184.5           +0.2 (+3.9)
EBITA 1)                        11.4            11.7            -2.8 

in parentheses: currency-adjusted
1) For 2007 adjusted for non-operating effects
2) Excluding non-cash amortization and, for 2008, additionally excluding
non-cash interest expenses for share price warrants 

Dr. Joachim Kreuzburg, CEO of Sartorius, will discuss the nine-month results for
Sartorius with analysts and investors in a teleconference today (Oct. 28, 2008)
at 3 p.m. CET. You may dial into this teleconference starting at 2:45 p.m. CET
at the following numbers: 

Germany:        +49 (0) 69 2222 2220;   France: +33 (0) 1 70 99 42 82;
UK:             +44 (0) 20 7138 0839;   USA:    +1 718 354 1362 

The dial-in code is:    4944170.
To view the webcast, log onto   http://www.sartorius.com 

end of announcement                               euro adhoc
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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

October 27, 2008 21:48 ET (01:48 GMT)