Bertrandt AG pays dividend of Euro 0.15

Wednesday, 19 February 2003

The shareholders of Bertrandt AG will be receiving a dividend of Euro 0.15 per dividend-bearing share (security code no. 523 280) for the 2001/2002 financial year. 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 2,188,025.99 to the next period. The acts of management of the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board were ratified at today's annual general meeting in Sindelfingen. 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 2004. Strong performance in 2001/2002 In his report to shareholders, Dietmar Bichler, Chairman of the Board of Management, emphasised that the company had met its targets for 2001/2002, stressing that it had benefited from the out-sourcing of development services in the automotive industry in what had been a difficult market environment. Customers' response to the product range it offered at its various locations had been encouraging during the year under review. Bertrandt qualifies for Prime Standard Following the reorganisation of the stock market segments on 1 January 2003, Bichler announced that Bertrandt AG qualified for membership of the Prime Standard and that it would therefore meet the stringent disclosure requirements of this segment. Human resources as a key factor driving the company's success Ralph Jacoby, the Board of Management member responsible for finance and human resources, explained the company's annual financial statements, which for the first time had been prepared in accordance with international accounting standards (IAS). During the year under review, he explained, the company had adjusted its level of capital spending to suit the difficult market climate. He also highlighted the considerable importance of the company's employees. In view of the growing demands of project management, he said, the company attached great importance to the training and development of its employees during the year under review. Greater variety of models and shorter development periods Bichler claimed that carmakers at the Detroit Motor Show in early January had confirmed their predictions about the growing variety of models. Bertrandt therefore still takes the view that the trend towards outsourcing development services will continue. In view of the persistent adverse economic and political climate, he added, it was difficult at present for the company to predict what impact this would have on market developments and on the outsourcing strategies of individual carmakers. Nonetheless, it remained Ber-trandt's stated goal to continue to strengthen its business in future.