Ad-hoc | 29 March 2001 08:12

Ad hoc-Service: CENIT AG Systemhaus english

Ad hoc announcement transmitted by DGAP. The issuer has the sole responsibility of this announcement. ——————————————————————————– CENIT Group posts 49 % increase in turnover and positive results in 2000 Internationalization as the basis for future success IT systems provider concentrates on e-Business and mobile commerce Stuttgart, 29 March 2001 A 49% increase in turnover, 98% more staff and the positive operating results achieved in 2000 all strengthen the position of CENIT AG, the IT services and systems provider. During the financial year 2000, the CENIT AG Group successfully met its planned turnover, thereby attaining the target figure of EUR 118.5 million and boosting the Groups fully consolidated turnover by 49% to achieve the companys best turnover ever. This translates as an increase of EUR 39 million over last years turnover at EUR 79.5 million. Gross yield was up by 57% to EUR 63.8 million (1999: EUR 40.5). The volume of incoming orders also rose by approx. 65%. The Groups operating result (EBIT) fell to EUR 1.3 million due to the high level of expenditure incurred in connection with the ongoing strategy of internationalization. Goodwill amortizations had a negative impact (EUR -1.2 million) on earnings before interest and tax. Earnings before tax amounted to EUR 1.0 million. Earnings per share work out at EUR – 0.15 (undiluted in accordance with IAS). CENIT recruited as many as 98% more employees. The driving force behind the CENIT Group is the Systemhaus in Germany, which contributed EUR 92.3 million to turnover during the past 12 months (1999: EUR 77.5 million) and generated operating earnings of EUR 3.2 million (1999: EUR 5.6 million). 533 of a total staff of 870 throughout the world were employed in Germany as at the end of 2000. Future prospects The aim is to increase consolidated turnover by around 33%, taking it up to EUR 160 million, and to achieve earnings of EUR 6 million before goodwill amortizations (EBITA). The target for operating income (EBIT) is EUR 4.3 million. Further recruitment, taking the total number of employees up to 1060, is also planned. Gross profit will increase by 39%. CENIT AG systems provider in Germany will remain the motor behind this growth: in Germany the company expects to achieve a turnover of EUR 114 million in 2001 and an operating result (EBIT) of EUR 3.6 million. end of ad hoc announcement, (c) DGAP 29.03.2001 ——————————————————————————– WKN: 540710; Index: Listed: Neuer Markt in Frankfurt; Freiverkehr in Berlin, Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München und Stuttgart 290812 Mär 01