euro adhoc: Sartorius AG
Quarterly or Semiannual Financial Statements
Slight decline in Group sales revenue and order intake in the 1st quarter of 2003 due to the business cycle and exchange rates | Continued positive growth, when adjusted for the im
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In the 1st quarter of 2003, sales revenue and order intake reported by the biotechnology supplier and mechatronics manufacturer Sartorius declined slightly in comparison to last years quarter. Sales revenue at the Group level dipped 4.0% to 107.0 million euros from 111.5 million euros posted for the 1st quarter of 2002. Order intake decreased in the same period by 1.6% from 117.3 million euros to 115.4 million euros. Adjusted for the impact of foreign exchange rates, first-quarter order intake rose 4.8% in comparison with the 1st quarter a year ago, however. Sales revenue adjusted for the impact of foreign exchange rates increased 2.7%.
The Mechatronics Division increased its sales revenue relative to the first quarter a year earlier by 0.8% to 54.2 million euros (previous year: 53.8 million euros).It thus realized gains from the high seasonal order intake of the 4th quarter of 2002. Because of the persistently difficult basic macroeconomic conditions, particularly our customers investment restraint in the laboratory balance sector, the Mechatronics Divisions order intake fell 7.0% to 55.5 million euros from 59.7 million euros a year earlier. Adjusted for the impact of foreign exchange rates, first-quarter order intake for the Mechatronics Division is nearly at last years first-quarter level (-1.0%). Sales revenue adjusted for the impact of foreign exchange rates increased 7.0%.
The Biotechnology Division posted a decline of 8.5% in its sales revenue from 57.7 million euros to 52.8 million euros. Essentially, this resulted from the relatively high fluctuations occurring for periods of less than one year in the Group subsidiary BBIs project business with fermentation plants. By contrast, the Division reported a first-quarter plus of 3.9% in order intake, which rose to 59.9 million euros against 57.6 million euros a year ago. This indicates that the overall highly positive development of business for the Biotechnology Division will continue in the months to come. Adjusted for the impact of foreign exchange rates, first-quarter order intake for the Biotechnology Division rose 10.9% compared with the 1st quarter a year ago. Sales revenue adjusted for the impact of foreign exchange rates dipped 1.4%.
In response to the persistently difficult economic climate, the Executive Board is planning on measures designed to cut costs by a good 10 million euros on a yearly basis to sustainably increase profitability.
end of announcement euro adhoc 29.04.2003
Further inquiry note:
Rainer Lehmann Vice President
Branche: Biotechnology
ISIN: DE0007165607
WKN: 716560
Index: SDAX, SMAX
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