Plaut Publishes Q1 Figures
2.05.2001, 10:41
Munich/Salzburg, Germany/Austria (ots/PROTEXT) - - Revenues increase by 19% to EUR 75 million - Revenues in the Americas record growth of 76%, but slow-down
expected - Cost reduction measures taken to meet profitability targets Plaut AG (SCN 918 703) today publishes its figures for Q1 offiscal 2001. Plaut, one of the leading management consultingfirms offering a suite of services from strategy consulting toIT-outsourcing, increased its sales revenues from EUR 63.2million to EUR 75.1 million, a growth of 19%. Gross profitadvanced from EUR 19.1 million to EUR 23.7 million, whichrepresents an increase of 24%. Gross margin was 31.6% (2000:30.3%). Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) amounted, in linewith budget, to EUR -1.0 million. In view of the uncertaineconomic environment, especially in the U.S., Plaut has takencertain cost reduction measures that have negatively impacted Q1earnings. This is mainly attributable to a pre-emptive reductionof personnel in the US, as well as personnel reductions and othercost cutting measures in the U.K. These measures have resulted ina one-time charge of EUR 1.03 million. The consolidated lossafter tax was EUR 3.4 million, as compared to a consolidatedprofit of ca. EUR 1 million in the first three months of theprevious year. According to DVFA/SG, this corresponds to a lossper share of EUR 0.17 (2000: + EUR 0.05). Despite the economic slowdown in the US, the Americas recordeda particularly high growth rate, with an increase in revenues of76%. With revenues of 39% of the total, the US-businesscontributes significantly to consolidated sales. "While we arepleased with our strong revenue growth in Q1, we are starting tosee an impact of the deteriorating market environment. Therestructuring steps we have taken should help to ensure that wereach our projected margins in Q3 or Q4," CEO Gary DiOriocomments. The strong performance of the European business is alsoencouraging. Germany and France, in particular, stand out aspositive examples. In Germany, profits virtually doubled over theprevious year and Q1 revenues are ahead of plan. In France,profitability also increased considerably. Dr. Nico Brunner, theboard member in charge of the European Operations, adds, "This isevidence of how our wide-reaching international presence enablesus to deal with adverse economic conditions in a specificregion." The main sales drivers were BackOffice Solutions which aloneaccounted for three quarters of total sales revenues. 13% wascontributed by IT & Hosting Solutions, 5% by Strategy Consulting,4% by FrontOffice- and 3% by eBusiness Solutions. In recent weeks Plaut has secured a number of large contracts,each encompassing a volume of at least 1,000 man-days. Thebacklog of orders has consequently increased to ca. five months. Employees As per March 31, 2001 our head-count was at 1,985 (quarterreference date 2000: 1,765). As a result of restructuringmeasures, the number of employees and consultants remainedvirtually constant compared to the year-end head-count in fiscal2000. Thanks to the improved structure and a more optimalutilisation of consultants, costs of sales have risen moreslowly. For the current fiscal year, the company continues itsplan to increase the number of employees, in particular in thosebusiness divisions with rapid expansion. About Plaut Plaut AG is an independent, internationally operatingconsulting group with currently 34 subsidiaries in 18 countries.As a full solution provider with a portfolio ranging fromstrategy consulting to IT-outsourcing, and with sales revenues ofca. EUR 291 million in 2000, Plaut is one of the worldwideleading management consulting firms. Since November 9, 1999,Plaut AG, Salzburg, has been listed on the "Neuer Markt" ofFrankfurt Stock Exchange (PUT; SCN 918 703).
ots Original Text Service: Plaut AG Internet:http://recherche.newsaktuell.de Contact: You can obtain acomplete version of the first-quarter-report, as well as anyfurther information relating to Plaut, under www.plaut.com/ir orunder the addresses below: Plaut Aktiengesellschaft
Kirchhoff Consult AG Monika Kretzschmar
Frank Schwarz Moserstrasse 33A
Savignystraße 18 A-5020 Salzburg
D-60325 Frankfurt Tel. +43 (0)662 4092-60
Tel: +49 (0)69 7474 86 0 Fax +43 (0)662 4092-15
Fax: +49 (0)69 7474 86 20 Monika.Kretzschmar@plaut.de
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