Corporate | 5 May 2003 10:30

Funkwerk AG english

Funkwerk products now also marketed in North America Corporate-news announcement sent by DGAP. The sender is solely responsible for the contents of this announcement. ——————————————————————————– Mobile technology for the automobile industry: Funkwerk products now also marketed in North America Joint venture with Raytel LLC, San Diego sale of universal hands-free systems and COMPENSER amplifier technology started Kölleda/San Diego, 5 May 2003. Funkwerk AG is about to open up the world`s largest automobile market for its products. As of now, the universal hands-free systems and the communication platforms “made by Funkwerk” are also available in North America. According to Chairman of the Board, Dr. Hans Grundner, Funkwerk is thus following the increasing overseas demand, after having made a name for itself as a supplier of telecommunication equipment to the European automobile industry in the past two years. “We anticipate contributions to sales from business in North America as early as in the second half of 2003.” In a joint venture with Raytel LLC, seated in San Diego, California, and the major Funkwerk shareholder, HÖRMANN GmbH & Co. Beteiligungs KG, which has already been operating on the US market for several years, a new sales channel has now been opened up for North America. According to Dr. Grundner, the main sales target group here will be the retrofitting market for mobile radio accessories. Due to its technological leadership, Funkwerk is said to occupy an excellent position. Says Grunder, “We have registered an avid interest and therefore want to use this window of opportunity now to open up this market for our products.” However, pursuant to its prudent investment policy, Funkwerk will, for the time being, only make use of the existing sales capacities of its cooperation partners instead of establishing its own sales operation here. Opening the way to the US market In an initial stage, Funkwerk firstly intends to market its universal hands-free systems and its patented amplifier unit, COMPENSER. Recording a market share of around 10 per cent in the area of communication equipment for vehicles, Funkwerk is one of the leading suppliers in Germany. With the COMPENSER amplifier technology, facilitating a clear transmission of mobile radio signals in cars, Funkwerk continues to hold a unique position, being a top class supplier to the automobile industry. With universal hands-free systems such as the Universal Car Communicator, AUDIO 3000, introduced in September 2002, Funkwerk has also entered new territory. For the first time, this device allows the management of any communication requirements (fax, Internet access, e-mail, telephone) from the car. Thanks to these products, Funkwerk has already cleared any trademark and patent hurdles to sales on the US market. Should this sales channel prove successful, further products are said to follow from 2004. “In the medium term, we can also imagine placing technology from our other sectors on the US market.” In the Commercial Mobile Radio Systems segment, Funkwerk is focusing on making every possibility of secure mobile communication without interference available to vehicle users anywhere, with the telecommunication equipment for vehicles being developed, produced, and sold under the Funkwerk Dabendorf brand. Funkwerk is also optimising and extending the possibilities of using mobile radio networks for private and corporate purposes with the help of its hands-free systems, its patented COMPENSER amplifier technology, the communication box (KomBox), and GSM terminals. The general meeting of shareholders of Funkwerk AG will be held on 14 May 2003 on the trade fair grounds in Erfurt. This meeting can be followed with a lag on the company home page, www.funkwerk.com. Information on Funkwerk AG As market and technology leader, Funkwerk AG specialises in communication systems for transport and logistics. With its three business segments, Professional Mobile Radio Systems (communication and control sytems for transport and logistics companies), Commercial Mobile Radio Systems (communication equipment and accessories for vehicles), and Private Networks (messaging systems and innovative telecommunication solutions for companies and institutions), Funkwerk occupies a strategically excellent place in future markets. In the preceding 2002 financial year, Funkwerk achieved an increase in sales of around 61 per cent to reach EUR 108.7 million and in earnings (EBIT) of around 35 per cent, recording EUR 8.9 million. For further details please contact: Funkwerk AG Im Funkwerk 5 D-99625 Kölleda/Thüringen Germany Katrin Schwarz Investor Relations phone: +49(0) 36 35/6 00 -3 35 fax: +49(0) 36 35/6 00 -3 99 schwarz@funkwerk.com rw konzept Ysenburgstraße 7 D-80634 Munich Germany Sebastian Brunner phone: +49(0) 89/13 95 96 -33 fax: +49(0) 89/13 95 96 -34 mobile: +49(0) 1 75/5 60 46 73 brunner@rw-konzept.de Disclaimer “This press release is not being issued in the United States of America and should not be distributed to United States Persons or publications with a general circulation in the United States. This docu-ment does not constitute an offer or invitation to subscribe for or purchase any securities in addition, the securities of Funkwerk AG have not been registered under the United States securities laws and may not be offered, sold or delivered within the United States or to U.S. Persons absent from registration under or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the United States securities law.” end of message, (c)DGAP 05.05.2003 ——————————————————————————– WKN: 575314; ISIN: DE0005753149; Index: NEMAX 50 Listed: Geregelter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin- Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München und Stuttgart 051030 Mai 03