At Euro 29.7 million, the Basler Components division (digital industrial cameras) increased its turnover by 8% over the previous year (2007: Euro 27.5 million). This increase was predominantly due to the expansion of Basler's international leadership in the fast-growing Gigabit Ethernet camera segment. Thus in 2008, Basler Components consolidated its number two position in the global market for digital industrial cameras. The company's entry into the promising video surveillance market forms the basis for further growth outside of the capital goods industry.

Just as in 2007, the components' division generated more than half of the group's turnover. Group turnover rose by 10 percent to a record Euro 56.5 million (2007: Euro 51.5 million). Incoming orders also increased by 11 percent to a new all-time high of Euro 62.9 million (2007: Euro 56.6 million). Earnings before taxes (EBT) rose by 61 percent to Euro 2.9 million (2007: Euro 1.8 million).

"We finished the 2008 year with an excellent result, although the fourth quarter was already influenced by the global recession", concludes Arndt Bake, general manager Basler Components. "The competition will intensify due to the critical market situation and weak demand. Our goal is to further strengthen our market position, even in such a tough economic environment."