In fiscal 2004/2005, we enhanced our technology capability with the acquisition of BEB Industrie-Elektronik AG in Burgdorf, Switzerland. We acquired 100 % of the company’s share capital effective January 1, 2005. BEB Industrie-Elektronik AG specializes in the development and production of banknote readers that use image recognition processes. This acquisition extends our technology reach in the high-growth area of self-service cash deposit applications and combined deposits and withdrawals where image recognition is a key component of ATMs. BEB Industrie-Elektronik has grown strongly in recent years. At the time of the acquisition, the company had around 90 employees.

On October 1, 2004, we acquired the remaining 49.99 % of the shares in Wincor Nixdorf OY, Espoo, Finland, a sales and services company. We also acquired the share capital of a Finnish service company.

Wincor Nixdorf Retail and Banking Systems (Suzhou) Co. Ltd. Suzhou, China was dissolved. Its business activities were transferred to Wincor Nixdorf Retail and Banking Systems (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. in Shanghai.

In Morocco, third parties acquired a 3.5 % equity stake in our Moroccan sales company.

We opened a sales representation in Thailand in the previous fiscal year. Further representations exist in Russia and India.

We refer to the complete presentation of changes in Consolidation Group in the Notes to the Group Accounts.