Corporate | 24 November 2004 07:30

Müller – Die lila Logistik AG improves sales and earnings

Corporate-news announcement sent by DGAP. The sender is solely responsible for the contents of this announcement. ——————————————————————————– Müller – Die lila Logistik AG improves sales and earnings For the first time, the group has a staff of more than 1000 Besigheim, 24 November 2004 – In comparison with last year, Müller – Die lila Logistik AG increased its 9-month sales results by 14.3 % to 51,195 kEUR (previous year: 44,775 kEUR). The development of earnings was positive as well. Earnings before interest and taxes rose to 1,940 kEUR (previous year: 1,764 kEUR) and the net profit in that period rose by 542 kEUR to 692 kEUR (previous year: 150 kEUR). As of the key date 30 September 2004, the group had a staff of 1,010. Changes of the group structure At the beginning of Q3, two new subsidiaries were added to the group in the course of the new projects. Both, Müller – Die lila Logistik Austria GmbH domiciled in Graz and the joint venture named Vedes-Müller Logistik GmbH were fully consolidated as of 01 July of this year. Development of business in Q3 2004 Q3 is always impacted by the holiday shutdowns of customers. Material flow volumes and as a result the necessary logistics services decrease in accordance with this temporary interruption of production. The sales increase in comparison with Q3 of the preceding year was substantially attributable to the new projects. In Q3, the group made sales amounting to 18,381 kEUR (previous year: 14,541 kEUR) and posted net earnings of 77 kEUR (previous: 62 kEUR) in that period. Development of the business segments Both business segments gained in sales. The Logistics Design segment offering planning and consultancy services improved on the good half-year figures and made sales amounting to 2,940 kEUR (previous year 2,228 kEUR) and earnings before interest and taxes amounting to 609 kEUR (previous year: 459 kEUR) in the first nine months of 2004. The Logistics Operating segment offering operative logistics services closed the nine-month period 2004 with segment sales amounting to 48,798 kEUR (previous year: 42,585 kEUR) and earnings before interest and taxes amounting to 1,331 kEUR (previous year: 1,306 kEUR). Cash-flow and increase of equity ratio The cash inflow from the company’s operating activities was 2,616 kEUR (previous year: 3,260 kEUR) in the first three quarters. During the same period – taking the balance from the acquisition and disposal of tangible assets, respectively -, the investments totalled 951 kEUR (previous year: a disinvestment of 67 kEUR). Liquid assets were primarily used for the payment of liabilities resulting in a considerable outflow of cash from financing activities of 1,648 kEUR (previous year: 4,220 kEUR). The 9-month net profit of 692 kEUR and the capital increase by way of contributions in kind made in the first six months resulted in a more than 1.1 mio EUR increase of the share capital to 9,078 kEUR (31/12/2003: 7,931 kEUR). The equity ratio as of 30 September of this year was 20.2% (31/12/2003: 18.9%) with a 7% higher balance sheet total of 45,025 kEUR (31/12/2003: 41,971 kEUR). Staff On 30 September 2004, the total group had a staff of 1,010. The average number of staff of Müller – Die lila Logistik AG in the first three quarters was 787 (previous year: 743). Prospect The board of directors of Müller – Die lila Logistik AG reiterates its forecasts for the total year 2004 and expects no change in its annual sales of 68 mio EUR and no significant contributions to earnings in Q4 2004 – in relation to the net earnings in this period. Commenting on the 9-month figures, Michael Müller, the CEO of Müller – Die lila Logistik AG, says: “Our target for the year 2004 is to increase sales results in the two-digit percent range and to achieve a significant growth of earnings in comparison with the previous year. In Q3 we made great progress towards these targets.” The 9-months` report 2004 is available on the Internet at http://www.lila-logistik.de . Company profile Müller – Die lila Logistik AG is a provider of intelligent logistics solutions. The business division Logistics Design renders comprehensive planning and consulting ser-vices. Experts from various disciplines advise on construction design, draw up an optimal works concept for ensuring production supply, and design entire supply chain processes. Complex processes that meet the highest standards of contract logistics quality are the area of expertise of the business division Logistics Operating. The company is listed on the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. 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 24.11.2004 ——————————————————————————– WKN: 621468; ISIN: DE0006214687; Index: Listed: Geregelter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin- Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München und Stuttgart 240730 Nov 04