Ad-hoc | 11 March 2003 20:36

Krones AG english

KRONES’ balance sheet developing nicely – Solidly successful strategy progressed Ad-hoc-announcement transmitted by DGAP. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ——————————————————————————– KRONES’ balance sheet developing nicely – Solidly successful strategy progressed The KRONES Group is progressing its continuous growth. The world’s market leader for beverage bottling/canning lines and packaging machinery, headquartered in Neutraubling near Regensburg, Germany, finished the 2002 business year with new record figures for profits, sales and order bookings. The group’s profitability improved once again in the 2002 business year. Net income (subject to final auditing) increased by 13.9 percent to reach 57.3 million euros (preceding year: 50.3 million euros). Consolidated sales rose by 11.9 per cent to 1,305 million euros (preceding year: 1,165 million euros). KRONES’ Executive and Supervisory Boards will propose to the AGM an increased dividend for KRONES stock, still being traded on the M-Dax even after the reorganisation of the stock exchange, to 1.00 euro for the ordinary shares (preceding year: 0.90 euros) and to 1.10 euros for the preference shares (preceding year: 1.00 euro). KRONES’ order bookings rose by 10.0 per cent to reach 1,309 million euros (preceding year: 1,190 million euros). Orders on hand at the end of the year came to 614 million euros (preceding year: 610 million euros) constituting a solid foundation for the ongoing business year. Krones once again succeeded in bucking the overall downtrend in the global economy and coping with a generally strained situation overall. The machinery manufacturer and complete-system vendor gained market share, and enhanced its top-ranking status. Despite the uncertain global conditions and an unpredictable economic future, KRONES is looking forward with assurance to the rest of 2003, confidently anticipating further growth. A specific forecast on the company’s performance will not be possible until the figures for this year’s first quarter are available. end of ad-hoc-announcement (c)DGAP 11.03.2003 ——————————————————————————– WKN: 633500; ISIN: DE0006335003; Index: MDAX Listed: Amtlicher Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard) und München; Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg und Stuttgart 112036 Mär 03