Corporate | 26 November 2003 07:55

Müller-Die lila Logistik AG performs as scheduled

Corporate-news announcement sent by DGAP. The sender is solely responsible for the contents of this announcement. ——————————————————————————– Müller-Die lila Logistik AG performs as scheduled for the first nine months of 2003 Organic sales growth by 21 percent Further reduction of debts in Q3 Besigheim, 26 November 2003 – In comparison with the same period last year, the provider of premium logistics services has grown organically by 21 percent in the course of the first nine months and could thus partly compensate the de-consolidation of two subsidiaries. Sales after the first nine months of the fiscal year were 44,775 thousand EUR (previous year: 49,732 thousand EUR), the development of the result was positive. During the reporting period, earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT), e.g., stood at 1,764 thousand EUR (previous year: -3,184 thousand EUR), which is equivalent to an EBIT margin of 3.9 percent (previous year: -6.4 %). The income in the period from January to September amounted to 150 thousand EUR and brought a result of 2 Euro-Cent per share with a total number of 7.7 million shares. Debts were further reduced in Q3 as well. In the first nine months, a total of 3,958 thousand EUR of the free cash flow were used for the repayment of loans. Development of the business segments The planning and consulting segment Logistics Design made sales worth 2,228 thousand EUR (previous year: 5,539 thousand EUR) and earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) worth 459 thousand EUR (previous year: 897 thousand EUR). In a comparison with the previous year, the de-consolidation of a subsidiary needs to be taken into account. The business segment Logistics Operating showed a strong growth by more than 20 per cent and thus attained sales of 42,585 thousand EUR (previous year: 35,443 thousand EUR) in the first nine months of 2003. In addition, Müller-Die lila Logistik AG significantly improved the results situation in the Logistics Operating segment. The EBIT increased to 1,306 thousand EUR, after -4,249 thousand EUR last year. This is due to comprehensive cost savings realized in all operative and administrative areas of the company. Cash-flow and repayment of debts From the operating activities, the provider of intelligent logistics solutions achieved an inflow of funds of 3,260 thousand EUR (previous year: outflow of funds of 1,725 thousand EUR), the cash flow from investment activities resulted in inflows of funds amounting to 67 thousand EUR (previous year: outflows of funds of 5,033 thousand EUR). In total 3,958 thousand EUR were used for the repayment of debts in the first nine months (previous year: raised loans amounting to 4,925 thousand EUR). Registration of control and profit & loss transfer agreement brings positive tax effects The control and profit & loss transfer agreement with the ILS/Wüstefeld was registered in the commercial register as planned at the end of September. The result in future will be a clearing of company results at group level which contributes to an optimization of taxes for the total group of companies. Since the agreement has come into force with retroactive effect as from 01/01 this year, a one-time positive effect worth 120 thousand EUR could be posted in Q3. Prospect Michael Müller, CEO of Müller-Die lila Logistik AG was satisfied with the development in the first nine months: “On the basis of these results, we will achieve our targets for 2003, and we will continue to drive the repayment of debts of our group of companies,” he said with reference to the publication of the 9-months report. For the total year 2003, Müller-Die lila Logistik AG plans total sales amounting to 55 million EUR and earnings before interest and taxes amounting to 2.1 million Euro. The management is thus still holding to the revised higher forecasts made in August. Further information: Müller-Die lila Logistik AG Marcus Hepp Tel.: +49 (0) 7143 8 10-123 marcus.hepp@lila-logistik.de http://www.lila-logistik.de end of message, (c)DGAP 26.11.2003 ——————————————————————————– WKN: 621468; ISIN: DE0006214687; Index: Listed: Geregelter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin- Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München und Stuttgart 260755 Nov 03