Ad-hoc | 15 May 2003 08:43

United Labels AG english

UNITEDLABELS announces year-on-year improvement for Q1/2003 Ad-hoc-announcement transmitted by DGAP. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ——————————————————————————– UNITEDLABELS announces year-on-year improvement for Q1/2003 – Revenue increase of 2.5 % – Gross profit ratio rises to 37.8% – Positive cash flow (Münster, May 15, 2003) – For UNITEDLABELS AG (DE 0005489561), an enterprise specialising in comicware sold under licence, the first quarter of the 2003 financial year proved to be more successful than the same period a year ago, despite the prevailing economic climate. Compared with Q1/2002, consolidated revenue increased slightly by 2.5% to EUR 7.6 million (Q1/2002: EUR 7.4 million). UNITEDLABELS AG posted a loss before interest and taxes of EUR 0.3 million for the quarter just ended (Q1/2002: loss of EUR 0.5 million). Compared with the full financial year 2002, its gross profit ratio improved to 37.8% (previous year: 32.1%). Registering a figure of EUR 0.7 million, cash flow from operating activities was well above par. Operating expenses and staff costs were in line with expectations. UNITEDLABELS AG recorded the highest volume of orders in the company’s history, worth EUR 10.6 million. Compared with the same period a year ago, the level of orders in hand rose by 20% (Q1/2002: EUR 8.8 million). In view of the higher volume of orders and the company’s positive performance in preceding quarters, UNITEDLABELS AG is expected to show sustainable progression in the coming quarters. For further information, please visit http://www.unitedlabels.com or contact the following member of staff: UNITEDLABELS AG Katarina Orlovic (Investor & Public Relations) Gildenstr. 6 D – 48157 Münster Phone: +49 (0) 251-3221-406 Facsimile: +49 (0) 251-3221-960 korlovic@unitedlabels.com end of ad-hoc-announcement (c)DGAP 15.05.2003 Issuer’s information/explanatory remarks concerning this ad-hoc-announcement: UNITEDLABELS announces year-on-year improvement for Q1/2003 – Revenue increase of 2.5 % – Gross profit ratio rises to 37.8% – Positive cash flow (Münster, May 15, 2003) – For UNITEDLABELS AG (DE 0005489561), an enterprise specialising in comicware sold under licence, the first quarter of the 2003 financial year produced a stable performance. Compared with the first quarter of 2002, consolidated revenue increased slightly by 2.5% to EUR 7.6 million (Q1/2002: EUR 7.4 million). UNITEDLABELS AG posted a loss before interest and taxes of EUR 0.3 million for the quarter just ended (Q1/2002: loss of EUR 0.5 million). Compared with the full financial year 2002, its gross profit ratio improved to 37.8% (previous year: 32.1%). Operating expenses and staff costs were in line with expectations. UNITEDLABELS AG recorded the highest volume of orders in the company’s history, worth EUR 10.6 million in total. Compared with the same period a year ago, the level of orders in hand rose by 20% (Q1/2002: EUR 8.8 million). At EUR 0.7 million, cash flow from operating activities was well above par. This is attributable mainly to improved management of receivables. In view of the higher volume of orders and the company’s positive performance in previous quarters, UNITEDLABELS AG is expected to show sustainable progression in the coming quarters. Licences The company has expanded its portfolio of licences by including another well- known star: SpongeBob SquarePants. Deep down in the Pacific Ocean in the city of Bikini Bottom lives a square yellow sea sponge named SpongeBob SquarePants, together with his miaowing pet snail Gary. SpongeBob loves his job as a fry cook at the Krusty Krab and has a knack for getting into trouble without really trying. The children’s TV show offers fun-filled entertainment as well as a valuable insight into aspects such as friendship and responsibility. Steve Hillenburg’s success story from the US is also becoming increasingly popular in Germany. UNITEDLABELS has developed a comprehensive range of products for tiny tots, featuring colourful offerings from the world of Home & Living, Stationery, Gifts, and Apparel. Whether it is alarm clocks for sleepyheads, mugs for the kid’s cocoa, or trendy socks: SpongeBob is ever present. New product range UNITEDLABELS has also created an entirely new product category for the popular characters from The Simpsons, Disney, and Looney Tunes: electronics! The range includes products such as cameras, pocket calculators, flashlights, PDA organisers, and wristwatches. Hobby, work, school – fans can now see and enjoy their stars as often as they want. The range will comprise more than 50 different products. UNITEDLABELS AG is Europe’s leading specialist for comicware sold under licence. The licensing partners working in cooperation with the independent media company include global players from the world of media and entertainment, such as Disney, AOL-Time/Warner and 20th Century Fox. UNITEDLABELS is able to reach all age groups within the European market of licensed products, thanks to its successful portfolio of well-established classics, such as Snoopy and Sesame Street, and popular stars like The Simpsons and Bob the Builder. UNITEDLABELS has already established the most comprehensive sales network in Europe, reaching over 370 million consumers with the help of more than 3,700 retail partners and approx. 17,600 outlets in more than 15 European countries. For further information, photographs and logos, as well as the quarterly report, please visit www.unitedlabels.com or contact the following member of staff: UNITEDLABELS AG Katarina Orlovic (IR/PR) Gildenstr. 6 D-48157 Münster Phone: 0251-3221-406 Facsimile: 0251-3221-960 E-mail: korlovic@unitedlabels.com ——————————————————————————– WKN: 548956; ISIN: DE0005489561; Index: Listed: Geregelter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin- Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München und Stuttgart 150843 Mai 03