The Board of Directors of Montana Tech Components AG announces that DDr Michael Tojner, present chairman of the holding company Montana Tech Components AG (MTC) will take over the operative management of the Swiss-Austrian technology group as of 9 July 2010. In the function of a delegate of the Board he is successor to Klaus Sernetz who, after successfully handling the start-up work in the company, leaves it in order to face new career challenges. The change will be accompanied by a new company strategy aimed at more independent acting on the part of the various individual companies. With Tojner’s in charge, Global Equity Partners is controlling shareholder of Montana Tech Components.

All of the three operative segments of the MTC Group – Aerospace & Industrial Components (aluminium components), Metal Tech (identification systems for the metallurgical industry) and Varta Micro Power (micro batteries) rely, in spite of the economic crisis, on a comparatively satisfactory profit situation for the past fiscal year 2009. The positive trend continued in the first semester of 2010. Michael Tojner: “Due to their technological positioning, their positive operative development and after successfully completing necessary restructurings, the operative companies are in good shape. A management holding company in classic terms which – as has been the case so far – is strongly involved in the operative business, is therefore no more required.” According to Tojner, MTC Holding can concentrate on purely strategic consulting activities, finance-related matters and controlling assignments, as well as smaller acquisitions for the subsidiary companies. Also in this regard the experience of the past years shows that in the day-to-day business, synergies will hardly develop among the various segments.

The next objective is for all MTC companies to continue on their course of growth. In doing so, all three segments are on the right track. Each one of the companies, that is Varta Micro Power, Aerospace & Industrial Components and Metal Tech have good management at their command, are optimally positioned in the operative business, well financed and trimmed for growth”, Michael Tojner states. Depending on how exchange rates will develop, an annual sales volume between EUR 320 million and 350 million and a positive EBITDA of EUR 41 million is within reach for this year.“In view of the environment of the economy which continues to be difficult in a number of segments, this is a welcome forecast”, Tojner states.

“In front of the background of the growing importance of energy storage systems, especially Varta Micro Power – being a leader in technology for micro batteries – is a fast growing enterprise, and in the long run, within 5 years, an IPO is not to be excluded. However, at this time there are no immediate plans for an IPO”, Michael Tojner continues. This dynamic development is also corroborated by the latest sales and profit trends. During the present year, the Aerospace & Industrial Components segment will above all engage in building up business in Romania, and with two plants in the USA, one in Switzerland and one in Romania, it is optimally positioned for growth.

The Metal Tech segment is presently looking into setting up subsidiary companies in China as well as a number of smaller acquisitions. Based on the excellent positioning and on the steel boom to be expected, further growth is expected for the Metal Tech segment.

On a long term basis, all three segments are positioned in a way to justify for Montana Tech Components a five year consolidated sales growth forecast from EUR 350 million to EUR 600 million.

MTC’s originally intended IPO for the holding company’s finance of growth is, as seen as of today, not excluded, but not likely to happen in the next few years. Right now, stock exchanges rate holding companies at a discount as compared with the intrinsic value of the portfolio.

At this time, none of the subsidiaries is up for sale. As mentioned before, as far as major growth activities are concerned, moves on the equity sector of subsidiary companies are by all means possible within the coming 5 years.

The Board Directors of Montana Tech Components AG

For queries please address:

Montana Tech Components AG
DDr. Michael Tojner, chairman of the Administrative Board
m.tojner@montanatechcomponents.com
Tel: +43 961 06 92 50
Montana Tech Components AG