Bertrandt AG pays dividend of Euro 0.15

Wednesday, 20 February 2002

Bertrandt AG will be paying its shareholders a dividend of Euro 0.15 per dividend-bearing share (security code no. 523 280). Furthermore, the company's shareholders approved the proposal by the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board to carry forward the remaining distributable profit of Euro 1,235,488.69 to the next period. Today's AGM in Böblingen The acts of management of the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board for the 2000/2001 financial year were ratified at today's annual general meeting in Böblingen. Shareholders formally adopted a motion to extend the period during which the company can purchase its own shares by a further 12 months until 31 July 2003. Strong performance in 2000/2001 Dietmar Bichler, Chairman of the Board of Management, reported a strong business performance and a year-on-year improvement in the company's financial results. Sales in 2000/2001 grew by 13 per cent to Euro 217.8 million, while earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) rose to Euro 8.9 million (+94%). Outside Germany, Bertrandt posted EBIT of Euro 0.2 million (1999/2000: a loss of Euro 0.3 million). Client focus Dietmar Bichler claimed the company felt vindicated in its strategy of offering manufacturers and suppliers its expertise in the holistic de-velopment of components, modules and derivatives. It had bundled key resources at its Technology Centre in Ehningen on 1 January 2001. Currently, he added, the company was tailoring its advice and services to the specific needs of its customers at 21 locations in Europe and a representative office in the US. Outlook Bichler admitted it was impossible at present to gauge to what extent the gloomy global economic climate and the management structure modifications announced or already implemented by certain manufacturers would impact on the company's model policy. He reiterated that it remained the company's stated goal to enhance its overall performance and its earnings both in Germany and abroad. This would enable it to consolidate its competitive position as one of Europe's leading development service providers, benefiting from the ongoing outsourcing trend over the next few years.