029 Group SE

Earnings Release • Mar 9, 2001

News Details

Ad-hoc | 9 March 2001 08:48

Ad hoc-Service: Austria Haustechnik AG english

Ad-hoc announcement sent by DGAP. The sender is solely responsible for the contents of this announcement. ——————————————————————————– AHT Group increases turnover by 16.2 % KWR weighs heavily on earnings Positive outlook for 2001 The Austria Haustechnik Group lifted its consolidated turnover in 2000 from ATS 1.167 billion to ATS 1.356 billion, an increase of 16.2%. Operating profit (EBIT) contracted from ATS 98.0 million in 1999 to ATS 63.7 million in 2000 (down 35%). Pre-tax profit (profit on ordinary activities) declined from ATS 85.8 million to ATS 48.2 million (down 43.8%). Net profit for the year fell from ATS 53.4 million to ATS 7.3 million (down 86.4%). Factors weighing on the results for the year 2000 are high one-time charges for restructuring costs and inventory write-downs (a total of about ATS 70 million) as well as an operating loss at the German subsidiary, KWR Kühlmöbelwerk Limburg a.d. Lahn Produktions- und Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH. As the losses at the German subsidiary cannot be offset against the profits of the other Group companies, an especially high tax rate of 84.9% applies for the year 2000. For 2001, AHT foresees the successful completion of the turnaround at KWR. Positive developments in the Bottle Cooler segment both in Europe and at the Central American subsidiary Refco S.A. in Guatemala, as well as good new orders in the Ice-Cream Cabinet segment, prompt our belief that in 2001, Austria Haustechnik will return to its accustomed earnings strength and positive long- term trend. end of Ad hoc-announcement, (c) DGAP 09.03.2001 ———————————————————————– WKN: 093385; Index: Listed: Amtlicher Handel in Wien; Freiverkehr in Frankfurt 090848 Mär 01