Ad-hoc | 22 May 2002 19:51

ORBIS AG english

ORBIS AG: sales within Consulting Unit +7.7% to EUR 7.1 million during Q1/2002 Ad-hoc-announcement transmitted by DGAP. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ——————————————————————————– ORBIS AG: Increase in sales within Consulting Unit of 7.7% to EUR 7.1 million during Q1 2002 – Optimization of cost structure underway Saarbrücken, May 23, 2002 – ORBIS AG (German securities code 522 877) achieved sales revenues of approx. EUR 7.1 million for the first quarter of 2002; this corresponds to a 7.7% rise compared with the revenues generated by the Consulting Unit in the same quarter of 2001 (EUR 6.6 million). A comparison of the total net sales generated during the first quarters of 2001 and 2002 shows a decrease of EUR 1.6 million, or 18.5%. The drop in total net sales is a result of the discontinuation of the Solutions Unit as part of ORBIS’s repositioning as a business consultancy company, which was announced in the fall of 2001. The business model now primarily focuses on consulting services for the SAP software mySAP.com. Due to the increase in the scope of consolidation, the manufacturing costs recorded a slight rise compared with the first quarter of 2001 and totaled EUR 6.7 million (2001: EUR 6.3 million). The results from repositioning, totaling EUR 1.1 million, include the reversal of accrued revenue. As at March 31, 2002 ORBIS employed 342 staff (2001: 393). The operating income/loss (EBIT) was minus EUR 0.8 million (2001: minus EUR 1.3 million); the result after income taxes and minority interest also amounted to approx. minus EUR 0.8 million; this corresponds roughly with the result of the previous year. Earnings per share were minus EUR 0.09. end of ad-hoc-announcement (c)DGAP 24.12.2500 Issuer’s information/explanatory remarks concerning this ad-hoc-announcement: These results were primarily due to the low utilization of consulting capacity following from the deteriorating economy and the measures initiated for the integration of CRM consultants. In the light of the continued difficult market environment, ORBIS AG reviewed the level of staff and carried out the necessary adjustments by the end of the first quarter. Reserves have been set aside for this purpose at year-end 2001. The first positive effects from these measures are expected to be seen as from the second half of the year 2002. With a view to the results of the entire year, ORBIS AG anticipates a 10% growth in sales revenues, compared with the revenues of the Consulting Unit in 2001. The sales revenues generated during the first quarter of the current year correspond to about 25% of the planned annual sales. In addition, as early as the second quarter 2002, ORBIS boasts an order level that is equivalent to three quarters of the planned annual sales. As previously indicated, the company therefore confirms its sales revenue target of EUR 28 million for the 2002 fiscal year. For further information, please contact: Klaus Kieren Chief Financial Officer ORBIS AG Nell-Breuning-Allee 3-5, 66115 Saarbrücken Ph.: ++49-(0)681-99 24 999; Fax: ++49-(0)681-99 24 101 klaus.kieren@orbis.de ——————————————————————————– WKN: 522 877; ISIN: DE0005228779; Index: Listed: Neuer Markt in Frankfurt; Freiverkehr in Berlin, Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, München, Hannover und Stuttgart 221951 Mai 02