Ad-hoc | 29 February 2000 07:51

Ad hoc-Service: SW Umwelttechnik Prel. figure

Ad-hoc Mitteilung übermittelt durch die DGAP. Für den Inhalt der Mitteilung ist allein der Emittent verantwortlich. —————————————————————————— Press release 29 February 2000 SW Umwelttechnik announces preliminary figures for 1999 – Total output up – Difficult business climate led to decline in earnings – Doubling of order backlog points to growth in 2000 As forecast, the 1999 financial year was a difficult one for SW Umwelttechnik Stoiser & Wolschner AG – a company with a history of exceptionally rapid expansion. The reasons for this were the unexpected extension of the deadlines for Austrian harmonization with EU environmental standards, as well as postponements of environmental projects in Hungary due to changed funding guidelines and the aftermath of the floods. As a result of the unfavourable business climate in Austria and – to a lesser extent – in Hungary, margins and earnings fell. Total output only increased by 6% to ATS 587.4 million (mn) (EUR 42.69 mn). EBIT registered a 16% year-on-year decline to ATS 32.4 mn (EUR 2.35 mn). The decline in the financial result by over ATS 20.8 mn (EUR 1.51 mn) as compared with the previous year (the 1998 result included the sale of an equity holding for ATS 12 mn) likewise contributed to a reduction in the POA, by 46% to ATS 31.2 mn (EUR 2.27 mn). The preliminary profit after minorities thus also decreased, to stand at ATS 15.3 mn (EUR 1.11 mn) compared with ATS 34 mn (EUR 2.47 mn) in 1998. However, the fact that order backlog more than doubled to ATS 450 mn (EUR 32.7 mn) points to rapid growth in 2000. Both the impact of the Austrian (Stadlbauer Umwelttechnik GmbH) and Hungarian acquisition (Strong Kft.) in 1999, and the exploitation of innovative product ideas will help boost growth. At the same time, the extensive investments in modernization and rationalization undertaken in 1998 and 1999, totalling ATS 130 mn (EUR 9.45 mn), will bring a sustained increase in productivity. Management will announce the final results and further details at a press conference on 27 April 2000. Contacts Dr. Bernd Wolscher, member of the Management Board Tel: (+43 7259) 31 35 0; fax: (+43 7259) 31 35 6. Christian Riel, Finance/Investor Relations Tel: (+43) 664/433 71 05; fax: (+43 1) 368 86 86. E-mail: christian.riel@sw-umwelttechnik.at/ Website: www.sw-umwelttechnik.at/ Ende der Mitteilung