| |
14/06/2002
Ascom positions itself as an international solution supplier
for secure and high-availability voice and data transmission. The
Group is structured in the four business segments Network Integration,
Security Solutions, Wireless Solutions and Transport Revenue, each
built on a highly specialised technology base. The Swiss group of
companies concentrates on profitable international niche markets
with organic and acquisition-supported growth potential. For the
investment-intensive technology areas, Ascom aims at strategic partnerships,
joint ventures or sales.
Following intensive work and a precise analysis, the
new Ascom Board of Directors has decided on further steps. It is
setting course towards a fast and consistent repositioning of Ascom
from a technology group to a slimline service-oriented group with
focus on secure and high-availability networks for the transmission
of voice and data. The future core business of Ascom is Network
Integration, Security Solutions, Wireless Solutions and Transport
Revenue. Each of the business segments is built on a highly specialised
technology base.
In future Ascom will concentrate on international growth markets
in which it possesses a good market position, a high level of competence
and a solid customer base. The units Wireless Solutions, Security
Solutions, and parts of Transport Revenue already today achieve
sustainable profits. Parts of Network Integration and Transport
Revenue are in a turnaround situation in 2002.
Growth in the core segments
With this step, an international group of companies has been created
that in the mid-term will achieve revenues in the order of CHF 1.5
billion with its core businesses Network Integration, Security Solutions,
Wireless Solutions and Transport Revenue. In all its new core areas,
Ascom intends to expand the added-value chain from design and implementation,
where it is already strong, in the direction of maintenance and
operation of systems, to expand geographically and to complement
this through innovative products. The objective is to grow either
organically or through acquisitions in the four defined business
segments, and internationally to occupy top positions.
Partnerships for investment-intensive technology sectors
For the investment-intensive technology sectors, which no longer
belong to Ascom's core business, the company is aiming at strategic
partnerships, joint ventures or sales.
In the Energy Systems sector Ascom possesses proven competence
and worldwide in a consolidating market holds the number eight position.
Ascom's goal is to be amongst the top five largest suppliers in
the market worldwide and hence to be able to guarantee continuity
to customers and employees. A sustained development on its own,
however, exceeds Ascom's resources, which is why the integration
of Ascom Energy Systems in a larger group of companies is being
pursued.
The situation is similar with the Private Branch Exchange (PBX)
systems. The aim of the strategic partnership that is being sought
in this area is to ensure that whatever happens Ascom continues
to have access to the markets and the technology. Also to protect
the investments already made and to secure the further innovation
steps in the coming years.
The business potential of the Powerline Communications start-up
will continue to be explored. The technology, which today is the
market leader and has been tested in 60 pilot projects, should now
be commercialised together with suitable partners.
Ascom will present a solution for the product business of iT_SEC
already in the third quarter of 2002.
Improvement of profitability and the balance sheet structure
Net debts at the end of May 2002 had already reduced to around CHF
420 million. In order to achieve a sustainable improvement of the
profitability and the balance sheet structure, in addition to the
new positioning, Ascom is implementing three programmes that are
aimed at,
- setting up the cross-divisional production unit as an independent
operation and increasing the proportion of third-party orders
to well over 50%,
- as far as possible the selling of the real estate (book value
CHF 300 million) and
- further decreasing the net working capital, strengthening Ascom's
balance sheet and continuously adapting the cost structure to
the actual market situation.
Juhani Anttila, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ascom Holding
Ltd: "The Board has set clear priorities: Ascom is to become a slim,
agile, clearly focussed international niche player that is well positioned
for profitable growth. Secure, high-availability communications networks
will become the future core business of Ascom, which in parallel to
the new organisation, we will rapidly and profitably expand."
About Ascom
Ascom is as an international solution supplier for secure
and high-availability voice and data transmission. The Swiss Group
is structured in the four business segments Network Integration,
Security Solutions, Wireless Solutions and Transport Revenue, each
built on a highly specialised technology base. The company concentrates
on profitable international niche markets with organic and acquisition-supported
growth potential.
|
