Simtronics posted sales of NOK 70.2 million in the second quarter, a 30 per cent decrease from the second quarter of 2008 and a 10 per cent decrease from the previous quarter. EBITDA came in at NOK -0.9 million, down from NOK 12.6 million last year, but an improvement over the previous quarter's NOK -6.8 million EBITDA.

For the first half of 2009 Simtronics sales were NOK 147.2 million, compared to NOK 169.8 million in last year's first half. EBITDA for the first six months were NOK -7.7 million, compared to NOK 19.2 million last year.

Despite a challenging market in the first half of 2009, Simtronics ended the period with an order backlog of NOK 205 million, which is the Group's highest order backlog ever. Order intake in the second quarter was NOK 117 million, more than 67 per cent over sales in the period.

The sales slowdown was primarily seen in Simtronics' traditional markets in Europe and postponed projects in Asia. Sales in the Middle East developed highly favourable in the second quarter.

"In the current global economic climate we see that customers tend to postpone investments as long as possible. What we experience is that orders are placed in the last minute, resulting in a temporary setback in sales. Order intake in the quarter is the highest ever and the backlog is record high. The order backlog and our assessment of the market development make us cautious optimists for the second half of 2009", Simtronics CEO Rune Martini said.

For further information, please contact

Mr. Rune Martini, CEO, Simtronics ASA
Phone +47 48 07 80 80

Simtronics ASA (Oslo Stock Exchange: SIMTRO) works to prevent disasters from happening. The company is an international supplier of fire and gas safety systems, active fire fighting solutions and fire prevention systems. Simtronics' flame and gas detectors represent the most accurate, reliable and robust safety technology available. The Company's products, solutions and systems are used by the oil and gas industry as well as in shipping, petrochemical and other process industries and in mining. Simtronics has a well established market base in Europe with Norway, France, UK and Germany as the single most important markets. Simtronics' heritage goes back to 1948.

The full report including tables and the presentation can be downloaded from the following links:

Quarterly Report Q2 2009 (.pdf 241 kb)

Investor Presentation Q2 2009 (.pdf 195 kb)