The Bertrandt Group has posted upbeat results for fiscal 2009/2010. Against a brightening economic backdrop, the provider of development services to the international automotive and aviation industries generated revenues of EUR 428.8 million (previous year EUR 384.6 million). Operating profit came to EUR 44.0 million (previous year EUR 32.8 million). Net profit after taxes amounted to EUR 31.2 million (previous year EUR 24.6 million) on 30 September 2010. As of the balance sheet date, Bertrandt had 6,523 employees.

Switch from crisis management to growth
“The Bertrandt Group took another successful step in achieving further growth in the 2009/2010 financial year”, Chief Executive Officer Dietmar Bichler said at today’s annual press conference in Stuttgart. Whereas the fallout from the financial and economic crisis was still taking its toll on the Company at the beginning of the fiscal year, the first quarter of the 2010 calendar year ushered in a strong recovery in the automotive industry, which has been sustained up until the present date. “Thanks to pre-emptive measures flanked by a broad and deep range of services as well as to our qualified employees, we have emerged from the crisis in good shape,” Bichler continued. In this connection, the Company’s equity resources provide the necessary basis for flexibility, internally financed capital spending and a high degree of reliability in project work. Spurred by the rising demand for engineering services, Bertrandt was able to scale back reduced working hours at an early stage and address the rising volume of customer inquiries with its committed staff. The strong interest in expert development skills is being driven by such factors as sustained pressure to innovate in response to legislative requirements and individual customer expectations.

Increasing requirements with respect to safety, comfort as well as environmentally friendly and ecologically sustainable mobility in tandem with continued growth in model diversity are bolstering demand for the Company’s services. “We have extended our range and reinforced our range of products and services that have strong potential for the future so as to offer our customers added value,” Bichler stated. For instance, the Company has been specifically investing in equipment such as test stands and shakers. Group subsidiary Bertrandt Services has strengthened its presence in key sectors of the future and has been repeatedly awarded strategic partner status by its customers in recognition of the quality of its work. Assuming that the underlying conditions continue to improve, OEMs step up their spending on research and development and the Company is able to recruit qualified staff, CEO Bichler is confident that the Bertrandt Group will continue to grow in the future.

Attractive dividend policy, uptrend in the share price
At the annual general meeting to be held on 16 February 2010, the Management Board and Supervisory Board will be recommending that shareholders approve a dividend of EUR 1.20 per share so that they are able to participate in the Company’s strong performance. This is an increase of 20 percent over the previous year.

Employees are a key success factor
As of 30 September 2010, Bertrandt had 6,523 (previous year 5,431) employees all around the world. A total of over 1,000 new jobs were created in fiscal 2009/2010 across all divisions and branches. “Given the dynamic and knowledge-intensive environment in which we operate, qualified and committed employees are a crucial success factor,” said Bichler. The Company is engaged in a wide variety of recruiting activities to address and attract school-leavers and graduates as well as experienced specialists. Bertrandt attaches major importance to personnel development, having spent a total of EUR 4.1 million on further training and skills development.

In addition, nurturing and developing young people with potential within the Group also plays an important role. For instance, 42 apprentices and students were taken on in fiscal 2009/2010. As of 30 September 2010, a total of 158 young people (previous year 154) were engaged in technical and commercial traineeships and studies within the Bertrandt Group.

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