PVA TePla AG — Earnings Release 2001

May 18, 2001

News Details

Ad-hoc | 18 May 2001 08:01

Ad hoc-Service: TePla AG english

Ad hoc announcement transmitted by DGAP. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ——————————————————————————– Sales increased by 160 percent Feldkirchen, May 18, 2001 – In the first quarter of 2001 TePla AG increased sales by 160 percent to DM 11.5 million. This increase is mainly due to the acquisition of MetroLine Industries Inc., USA, which was consolidated for the first time in the fourth quarter 2000. The divisions Industrial/Medical (+1,761 percent to DM 6.3 million) and PCB/Chip Packaging (+234 percent to DM 809,000) showed the highest growth rates. Sales in Europe decreased by approximately 21 percent, whereas in Germany (+86 percent) and Asia (+37 percent), a significant growth was realized. With the acquisition of MetroLine Industries, TePla AG achieved its strategic objective to establish the US region as the most important market. US sales were boosted by 742 percent to DM 6.5 million. Operating results were less than expected (DM -1.4 million compared with DM -0.06 million in the previous year). The reasons for this are the company’s move to the new location, Feldkirchen near Munich, resulting in production restrictions and high market development costs for the new Plasma System FPD 40 (a system for the production of next generation flat panel displays). MetroLine Industries Inc. and TePla Inc. however, turned around with positive operating results in the first quarter. Currently both units are being merged into TePla America. The company confirms its growth estimates for the full year 2001, even though market conditions have become quite difficult. end of ad hoc announcement (c) DGAP 18.05.2001 ——————————————————————————– WKN: 746100; Index: Listed: Neuer Markt in Frankfurt; Freiverkehr in Berlin, Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München und Stuttgart 180801 Mai 01