EANS-News: SMT Scharf AG off to a successful start to the new year with substantial revenue and earnings growth

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6-month report

Subtitle: Revenue up 66 % at EUR 25.3 million / EBIT rises 42 % to
EUR 3.0 million / Order book of EUR 43.9 million at the end of March
(+13 %)

Hamm (euro adhoc) - May 15, 2012 - SMT Scharf AG (German Securities
Code [WKN] 575198, ISIN DE0005751986), technology and world market
leader for rail-bound railway systems for underground mines, has
substantially increased its revenue and earnings in the first quarter
2012. The Group generated revenue of EUR 25.3 million, representing a
66 % increase compared with the previous year's figure of EUR 15.2
million. Markets outside Germany contributed 91 % of total revenue
(previous year: 87 %).

There was a similarly steep increase in earnings before interest and
taxes (EBIT), which rose by 42 % to EUR 3.0 million (previous year:
EUR 2.1 million). The EBIT margin stood at 11.9 % (based on operating
income rather than revenue as in the past), compared with a
like-for-like 12.2 % in the first three months of 2011. The cost of
materials ratio rose slightly to 55 % (Q1/2011: 54 %), while the
personnel cost ratio which in previous year came in at 20 % declined
to 16 %. Taking into account a positive financial result, the Group
reported a consolidated result of EUR 2.4 million. This represents a
35 % increase compared with the previous year's figure of EUR 1.8
million.

Not only the satisfying development of revenue and earnings, but also
the strong order book point to the sustained strength of demand in
the SMT Scharf Group's main markets. Orders on hand at the end of
March at EUR 43.9 million were 13 % higher than a year ago (previous
year EUR 38.7 million).

Christian Dreyer who has been active as CEO of SMT Scharf AG since
May 1, 2012 is pleased with the company's successful first quarter:
"In spite of a volatile economic environment we have nevertheless
maintained the success seen in previous years. We intend to continue
to chart this course. The strong order book is an indicator of the
considerable market potential that we aim to exploit as the year
progresses."

The full report for the first quarter of 2012 will be available in
the course of the day at www.smtscharf.com, within the Investor
Relations area.

Company profile

The SMT Scharf group develops, builds and maintains transportation
equipment for underground mining and tunneling. The main products are
rail-bound railways which are used all over the world, primarily in
hard coal mines and underground mines for gold, platinum and other
metals. They are used to transport material and personnel with
working loads of up to 45 tons on inclines with gradients of up to 35
degrees. SMT Scharf's other key products are roadheaders, equipment
for tunnel support and chairlifts. The SMT Scharf Group has
subsidiaries in eight countries as well as additional dealerships
worldwide. SMT Scharf records more than 80 % of its revenue in
growing foreign markets, such as Russia, China and South Africa.
Business with spare parts and repairs accounts for around 40 % of
revenue. The entire market for underground transport technology
comprises EUR 5 billion to EUR 7 billion per year according to the
company's estimates. SMT Scharf AG has been listed in the Prime
Standard (Regulated Market) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since
April 11, 2007.

Further inquiry note:
Investor Relations
cometis AG
Henryk Deter / Patrick Ortner
Tel: +49(0)611 - 205855-16
Fax: +49(0)611 - 205855-66
e-mail: ortner@cometis.de

end of announcement euro adhoc
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company: SMT Scharf AG
Römerstr. 104
D-59075 Hamm
phone: +49(0)2381-960212
FAX: +49(0)2381-960311
mail: ir@smtscharf.com
WWW: http://www.smtscharf.com
sector: Machine Manufacturing
ISIN: DE0005751986
indexes: CDAX, Classic All Share, Prime All Share
stockmarkets: free trade: Berlin, München, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart,
regulated dealing/prime standard: Frankfurt
language: English