ots Ad hoc-Service: Cenit AG <DE0005407100> CENIT continues to implement its policy of internationalisation in the first quarter
Stuttgart (ots Ad hoc-Service) -
The sender is solely responsible for the contents of this announcement.
CENIT AG Systemhaus consistently continued to pursue its policy of internationalisation in the first quarter of 2000. After the acquisition of Desktop Engineering in the UK and Spring Technologies in France, CENIT signed a preliminary agreement for the hundred percent takeover of L&H Consultants in North America. Thus, in the first three months of this year, CENIT has taken decisive steps towards becoming a global player.
Business developments in the first quarter were in line with expectations. Thanks to full utilisation of capacities in the service sector, gross earnings rose to EUR 10.1m (first quarter 1999: EUR 7.6m). This corresponds to a steep rise of 33 per cent. Due to the comparatively weak hardware business, sales, at EUR 14.4m, fell about eight per cent short of the previous year's figure (first quarter 1999: EUR 15.7m). Operating earnings also developed as planned, at EUR -0.8m (first quarter 1999: EUR 0.0m). This is attributable primarily to non- recurring expenses for mergers and acquisitions, and to extensive investments to build up the Swiss subsidiary and the newly founded branch in Berlin. There was an enormous rise in orders received by CENIT - twice the figure for the same period last year. The number of employees rose by 98 to 470 (first quarter 1999: 342).
"The first quarter is traditionally the weakest for CENIT AG Systemhaus' business. As always, the second half of the year will generate markedly higher earnings. Our recent acquisitions in north America, France and the UK will also contribute to an upswing," comments board of management spokesman Falk Engelmann on the quarterly results presented today. "By mid-year, we shall present a revised plan for the year 2000 which takes these factors into account."
For further questions please contact: CENIT AG Systemhaus Matthias Brock Public Relations Schulze-Delitzsch-Str. 50 D-70565 Stuttgart Phone ++49/711/78073-201 Fax ++49/711/78073-501 e-mail m.brock@cenit.de
End Internet: http://recherche.newsaktuell.de
Original-Content von: CENIT AG Systemhaus, übermittelt durch news aktuell