March 18, 2008 -- Zug, Switzerland -- Belimed AG, a worldwide leader in infection control, significantly increased its consolidated sales revenue in 2007.  

Belimed AG, a Metall Zug company based in Zug Switzerland, together with its subsidiaries throughout the world, raised its consolidated sales revenue by 29%, a total of CHF 184,0 Mio. All business segments and geographical areas contributed to this double digit growth.

The U.S. division experienced a 61% surge in sales revenue, the greatest growth of any Belimed AG company worldwide.  The U.S. is now the second largest market, ranking behind only Germany.  

Niklaus Sauter, Managing Director for the Belimed Group, attributes the growth to its top quality products and services, as well as widespread geographical coverage.

Sauter said, ”Belimed’s commitment to innovative, integrated solutions and focus on customer service has contributed to us growing at rates greater than the market.”

In addition to the growth in direct Belimed subsidiaries throughout the world, distribution channels, including those in France, Austria and Belgium grew significantly.  Particularly notable are increased sales throughout Spain, Eastern Europe (especially Russia), the Asia/Pacific Region and China.  

While sales have increased in all business segments, including medical and laboratory, the pharmaceutical segment experienced the greatest growth.  This is due in part to the high investment activity of large international biotechnology companies who utilize Belimed’s pharmaceutical equipment to manufacture drugs and vaccines.  Belimed’s medical segment, its largest business area, continued to strengthen and gain market share.

Outlook
Belimed activities are geographically well supported and expect to achieve sales growth in the current business year. However, due to difficult economic conditions, the growth is expected to be more moderate than in 2007.

About The Belimed Group (www.belimed.com ):
The Belimed Group, a worldwide leader in infection control, is headquartered in CH-6301 Zug, Switzerland. The Belimed companies develop, manufacture and market specialized equipment and services required for the reprocessing of medical instruments and for the research and production of pharmaceutical products. Belimed washer disinfectors and sterilizers are mainly used in hospitals and in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry. The Belimed Group employs 780 individuals and achieved consolidated sales revenue of 184 Mio CHF in business year 2007.

Belimed is a wholly owned subsidiary of METALL ZUG AG (www.metallzug.ch ). Within the METALL ZUG Group, Belimed represents the infection control business unit. METALL ZUG AG is listed on the Swiss stock exchange in the segment SWX Local Caps, Zurich (Non voting share, securities # 209261). In addition to Belimed, the METALL ZUG GROUP also includes the Household Appliances business unit (V-ZUG AG, Sibir Haushalttechnik AG und Gehrig Group), Wire Processing business unit (Schleuniger Gruppe) and the Real Estate business unit (MZ- Immobilien AG, Parkhotel Zug AG and ZEW Immobilien AG).

Contacts:
Niklaus Sauter, Belimed AG
Managing Director Belimed Group
Phone: +41(0) 71 644 85 47
www.belimed.com
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Laura Francis, Belimed, Inc.
Marketing Communications Manager (U.S.)
Phone: (843) 216-7424 X112
www.belimed.us
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