SMT Scharf AG publishes H1 2008 figures

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ots.CorporateNews transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer is responsible for
the content of this announcement.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

finances/six month figures

Hamm (euro adhoc) - - International expansion continues
- Foreign revenues up 21% in H1 2008
- Managing Board confirms full-year forecast

Hamm, August 15, 2008 - SMT Scharf AG (German Securities Code (WKN)
575198, ISIN DE0005751986), technology and world market leader for
rail-bound railway systems for the mining sector, continued its
international expansion in the first half of 2008. Consolidated
revenues in H1 2008 totaled EUR 18.0 million after EUR 18.8 million
last year. Foreign revenues were up 21% to EUR 12.0 million, lifting
this figure to 67% of consolidated revenues (previous year: 53%).

The downturn in German sales was due, in particular, to the
interrupted operations at the RAG mine in the Saarland region after
the earthquake on February 23, 2008. SMT Scharf provides ongoing
services to this mine. At the same time, the group was able to
acquire several significant orders from foreign countries, in
particular from Russia and South Africa. In addition, market-leading
mine operators in the Ukraine and China placed initial orders with
SMT Scharf. The company's order book totaled EUR 18.3 million on June
30, 2008, with 86% stemming from non-German markets.

In addition to the interruption of operations at the RAG mine, the
SMT Scharf Group's earnings were also depressed by the start-up costs
for the Russian and Chinese branches. As a result, EBIT fell to EUR
1.5 million during the first six months, compared to EUR 2.5 million
in H1 2007. The EBIT margin in the second quarter was in line with
the previous year's figure at 9.4%. The EBIT margin in the first half
of 2008 is thus 8.6%, compared to 13.4% in H1 2007. In 2008 and the
coming years, the company is aiming to generate further growth in
revenues and EBIT. However, it is still not yet possible to fully
assess which impact the further development in mining in the Saarland
region will have on SMT Scharf.

"We are pleased with the growth of our business in the first half of
the year. Foreign activities have enjoyed excellent further growth
over the past few months, and also offer great potential for the
coming years," commented Dr. Friedrich Trautwein, SMT Scharf AG's CEO
on the figures. "Many new orders from the world's most important
mining regions are proof that our railways meet the requirements for
transporting materials and people under ground. I am convinced that
we are right on track with our international expansion and that we
are excellently equipped for the future."

The full report for the first half of 2008 will be available for
download at www.smtscharf.com ("Investor Relations" section) during
the course of the day.

Company profile

The SMT Scharf Group develops, builds and maintains rail-bound
railway systems for mining and use in tunnels. The trains are used
all over the world, primarily in hard coal mines, gold mines and in
underground mining for platinum, diamonds, copper and nickel. They
are used to transport material and personnel with working loads of up
to 35t. Rail-bound trains are the only means of transport that can be
used underground on branching lines to cope with inclines of more
than 13 degrees. The SMT Scharf Group has subsidiaries in Germany,
Poland, South Africa, China and Russia, as well as agencies around
the world. The railways developed by SMT Scharf are characterized,
above all, by high-performance engines, high working loads, high
speed and low operating and maintenance costs. SMT Scharf records
more than 70% of its revenues over the course of the year on
high-growth foreign markets, such as Russia, China and South Africa.
The replacement parts and repairs business constitutes around 50% of
revenues. The advances in exploitation of resources make underground
conditions increasingly difficult which in turn requires more high
technology transport solutions in mining. The total market for
underground transport technology comprises around EUR 5 billion to
EUR 7 billion per year according to company estimates. SMT Scharf AG
has been listed in the Prime Standard (regulated market) of the
Frankfurt Stock Exchange since April 11, 2007.

end of announcement euro adhoc
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ots Originaltext: SMT Scharf AG
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Further inquiry note:

Investor Relations

cometis AG

Susanne Gremmler

Tel.: +49(0)611 - 205855-23

Fax: +49(0)611 - 205855-66

e-mail: gremmler@cometis.de

Branche: Machine Manufacturing
ISIN: DE0005751986
WKN: 575198
Börsen: Börse Frankfurt / regulated dealing/prime standard
Börse Berlin / free trade
Börse München / free trade