SMT Scharf receives first order for new rack-and-pinion railway

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Hamm (euro adhoc) - Hamm, May 14, 2008 - SMT Scharf AG (German
Securities Code (WKN) 575198, ISIN DE0005751986), the technology and
global market leader for rail-bound railway systems for the mining
sector, has received its first order for its newly developed
rack-and-pinion railway from Russia. This railway is tailor-made to
transport great loads under particularly difficult mining conditions,
and is characterized by its versatility: It can be used as both a
rail-bound rack-and-pinion railway and also as a climbing aid for
normal mine railways. In addition, it can be easily converted into a
monorail hanging railway.

SMT Scharf presented this innovative train to the specialist public
for the first time in November 2007 at the mining technology and
equipment trade fair CHINA COAL & MINING EXPO 2007. In the meantime
it has received all necessary licenses.

The customer will use the train in a hard coal mine in Russia, where
it will be used, in particular, to transport heavy roof support units
at inclines of up to 30 degrees. This customer already uses SMT
Scharf´s monorail hanging railways in three of its mines.

This order, with a volume of slightly more than EUR 1 million, is a
key step in growing SMT Scharf AG´s business: "We are very pleased
that our newly developed rack-and-pinion railway has convinced our
customers so quickly. That´s a positive sign - also for possible
additional orders," commented Dr. Friedrich Trautwein, SMT Scharf
AG´s CEO. "Russia was already our key growth market last year. We
believe that this country offers further potential, and we plan to
penetrate this potential even better with new products and our newly
formed branch office."

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 in 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.

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

Further inquiry note:

Contact

Investor Relations

cometis AG

Henryk Deter

Tel.:+49(0)611 - 205855-13

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

e-mail: deter@cometis.de

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