Surteco Group SE

Earnings Release • May 9, 2008

News Details

Ad-hoc | 9 May 2008 07:31

SURTECO again plans for rising sales and improved earnings

SURTECO SE / Interim Report/Quarter Results

Release of an Ad hoc announcement according to § 15 WpHG, transmitted by
DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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The surface specialist continues to forecast profitable growth -
Consolidated sales are projected to rise to € 800 million by 2011

Buttenwiesen-Pfaffenhofen, 9 May 2008 - Despite the difficult economic
environment, SURTECO SE – the leading global supplier of surface materials
based on plastics and papers for technical applications – again intends to
increase sales and earnings during the current business year. The
international supplier to the construction and furnishing industry
concluded the last business year with sales amounting to € 414.5 million
(+3 %) and also increased earnings for the fourth time in succession – EBIT
at € 55.5 million was also 3 % above the figures for the previous year.
This trend looks set to continue despite the significant economic slowdown
currently being experienced because SURTECO SE is planning to continue the
track record of uninterrupted profitable growth over the past 15 years. By
2011, consolidated sales are projected to increase to some € 800 million.
The EBITDA margin of nearly 18 percent in 2007 is predicted to rise to more
than 20 %.
Sales revenues amounting to € 108.6 million during the first quarter of
2008 only permit limited comparisons with the figures for the previous year
(€ 107.6 million). While the months of January and February pointed to
steady business performance, noticeably weaker sales were generated in
March due to the effect of the Easter period. However, stronger orders
booked in April indicate that part of the sales revenues were shifted to
the second quarter. Negative changes in currency parities, planned sales
reductions in the do-it-yourself sector with weak margins and economic
setbacks also exerted a negative impact on business.
By contrast, SURTECO is able to report an initial positive success for the
recent acquisition of Gislaved Folie AB in September 2007. The Swedish
manufacturer produces plastic foils for specialist applications in interior
design and vehicles, as well as other specialities, and the business
performed successfully. The company generated positive sales and income in
accordance with expectations.
Consolidated net profit for the first quarter of 2008 amounted to € 8.2
million (2007: € 9.0 million). Earnings per share (net income per share)
amounted to € 0.81 (2007: € 0.74). Although earnings for the first three
months of the current business year did not match the equivalent
year-earlier figures, SURTECO SE is assuming that the negative effects will
be compensated by continued moderate growth during the course of this year.
Business gathered pace during April to confirm this view.
09.05.2008 Financial News transmitted by DGAP

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Language: English
Issuer: SURTECO SE
Johan-Viktor-Bausch-Str. 2
86647 Buttenwiesen-Pfaffenhofen
Deutschland
Phone: +49 (0)8274 99 88-0
Fax: +49 (0)8274 99 88-5 05
E-mail: g.schneller@surteco.com
Internet: www.surteco.com
ISIN: DE0005176903
WKN: 517 690
Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard), München;
Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart

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