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With the conclusion of the acceptance period of the voluntary public takeover offer, Siemens has secured 80.69 percent of IBS shares, thereby exceeding the minimum takeover threshold of 75 percent. All additional conditions for completion of the takeover offer, including antitrust approvals, have also been fulfilled. Therefore, the takeover of IBS AG can be implemented as planned.

Siemens is again the uncontested leader in patent applications in Europe. According to the 2011 Patent Applicant Ranking of the European Patent Office (EPO), the company submitted 2,235 patent applications (excluding Osram: 1,994) to the EPO in calendar year 2011 to capture first place in the European patent statistics. Siemens also increased its lead over its next-ranked rivals. "I'm very proud of this achievement – it's a testimony to our employees' power of innovation. Innovations strengthen our position in international competition and create jobs," said Siemens President and CEO Peter Löscher. Löscher confirmed that Siemens will continue to invest in research and development at the current high level. In fiscal 2011, the company channeled nearly €4 billion into research and development, of which over €1 billion went to develop green technologies.

Today Siemens will issue bond with warrant units with an intended volume of US Dollar 3 billion. The final amount will be adjusted in accordance with market environment and demand. This specific debt instrument puts Siemens in a position to benefit from attractive market opportunities for US Dollar funding. The planned bond issue is to be seen in the context of a refinancing of EUR 2.2 billion in bonds that were redeemed in the first quarter of the current fiscal year and of US Dollar 1.3 billion in bonds that will mature in the second quarter of the current fiscal year. "With the issuance of these bonds we choose a liquidity-focused and cost-efficient approach to keep Siemens' financial flexibility," Siemens CFO Joe Kaeser stated.

Siemens has successfully finalized the placement of the bond with warrant units which was started this morning. With an aggregate volume of $3 billion, this is the biggest issuance by a European corporate in this market segment for the past ten years. The bonds with the term of 5.5 years have a volume of $1.5 billion and a coupon of 1.05% per annum; the bonds with the term of 7.5 years have the same volume of $1.5 billion and a coupon of 1.65% per annum. The exercise price was fixed at 137.5% of the reference price. On that basis, the exercise price amounts to €104.0018 per share. At issuance, one warrant will entitle its holder to receive 1806.1496 Siemens shares against payment of about €188,000. Thus the warrants result in option rights relating to a total of about 21.7 million Siemens shares. "With this successfully placed transaction we have fully achieved our goal of gaining optimized financing, tapping into attractive market demand", Siemens CFO Joe Kaeser stated.

Siemens plans a focused expansion of its industry software portfolio and intends to make a voluntary public takeover offer to the shareholders of IBS Aktiengesellschaft excellence, collaboration, manufacturing (WKN 622840) ("IBS AG") to acquire all shares in IBS AG. IBS shareholders are to receive EUR 6.10 per share in cash. This corresponds to a premium of approx. 33 percent compared to today's closing share price for IBS AG (XETRA). Through the acquisition of IBS AG, a supplier of software solutions for industrial quality and production management, Siemens complements its offering of industrial automation solutions. The management board of IBS AG welcomes the offer from Siemens in principle.

In the first quarter of its new fiscal year 2012, Siemens achieved increased revenue and laid the cornerstone for future growth, despite the difficult economic environment. Thanks to a strong order backlog, revenue for the first quarter rose two percent compared to the same period a year earlier, while new orders declined five percent year-over-year. Profit was below the prior-year level due to project delays and increased investments. "The uncertainties of the ongoing debt crisis have left their mark on the real economy. Our revenue increased again, while certain project delays burdened profits. Although a recovery is expected in the second half of the year, we must work hard to achieve our goals. With a backlog of more than €100 billion, a strong portfolio and a solid financial position, we are a trusted partner," said Siemens President and CEO Peter Löscher.

"The uncertainties of the ongoing debt crisis have left their mark on the real economy. Our revenue increased again, while certain project delays burdened profits. Although a recovery is expected in the second half of the year, we must work hard to achieve our goals. With a backlog of more than 100 billion euros, a strong portfolio and a solid financial position, we are a trusted partner."

Despite wintery road conditions, this year's Annual Shareholders' Meeting of Siemens AG was again well attended. Roughly 8,800 shareholders attended the event in the Munich Olympiahalle on Tuesday, compared with some 8,000 last year.