Ad-hoc | 29 May 2001 08:27

SW Umwelttechnik english

Ad hoc announcement transmitted by DGAP. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ——————————————————————————– Total output up by 10% Further expansion in Hungary and entry to Romanian market In the first quarter of 2001 SW Umwelttechnik recorded a 7% increase in revenue to EUR 9m, and 10% growth in total output to EUR 10m. Central and Eastern Europe (principally Hungary) accounted for 56% of revenue, and the EU (chiefly Austria and Germany) for 44%. The company’s environmental systems business sector generated 38% of revenue, and its environmental engineering and infrastructure products sectors 31% each. As expected, there were losses before interest and tax, and on ordinary activities, owing to seasonal factors; both registered year-on-year increases, to EUR 1.6m and EUR 1,7m, respectively. EUR m Q1 1999 Q1 2000 Q1 2001 Revenue 3.8 8.5 9.0 Total output 4.7 9.1 10.0 EBIT -1.1 -1.0 -1.6 POA -1.0 -1.0 -1.7 Payroll 426 812 784 Figures for the first quarter reflect the fact that only 10-15% of the year’s operations take place during this period due to seasonal factors. Because of this, the results for the first quarter are of limited value as a guide to trends for the year as a whole. end of ad hoc announcement (c) DGAP 29.05.2001 Issuer’s information/explanatory remarks concerning this ad hoc announcement: Outlook Management is budgeting for a continuation of the company’s recent rapid growth over the year as a whole, and anticipates double-digit increases in revenue and earnings: * There will again be very strong demand for environmental and infrastructure products in Hungary, because of the country’s need to meet EU standards. Due to its market leadership and its heavy investment in recent years, SW Umwelttechnik is excellently placed to profit from this. * A new factory that will manufacture infrastructure products is currently being built in the greater Budapest area. EUR 4m will be invested in this project over the next two years. * The company has entered the Romanian market by founding a local environmental engineering subsidiary. Construction of a new factory is under way. * The Austrian market is contracting and downward pressure on prices is gathering force, owing to a decline in public funding for environmental projects caused by budget consolidation measures. However, the growing demand for alternative financing models and for low-cost decentralized treatment systems is creating opportunities for SW Umwelttechnik. * Current order backlog of EUR 32m puts SW Umwelttechnik well on the way to attaining its target of double-digit growth in 2001. * The accelerated investment programme is proceeding, with some EUR 7m due to spent this year. The main focus is on capacity expansion, particularly in Hungary and Romania, as well as rationalization and specialized production facilities in Austria and Germany. * The company will continue to work for rapid growth. Apart from its Austrian, German and Hungarian home markets it will be targeting Poland, as well as Croatia, the Czech Republic, Romania and Slovakia, all of which present promising markets. The importance attached to protecting water quality is growing all the time, creating the potential for sustained expansion by SW Umwelttechnik. The company expects to post exceptionally rapid growth rates, fuelled by organic growth and further acquisitions, for some years to come. Contacts Dr. Bernd Wolschner, member of the Management Board of SW Umwelttechnik Tel: +43 (0)7259 31350; fax: +43 (0)7259 31356 Christian Riel, Finance and Investor Relations Tel: +43 (0)664 4337105; fax: +43 (0)1 3688686 E-mail: christian.riel@sw-umwelttechnik.at Website: www.sw-umwelttechnik.at ——————————————————————————– WKN: 080820; Index: Listed: Amtlicher Handel in Wien; Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf und Stuttgart 290827 Mai 01