Semperit reports higher sales, profit for first half
ERJ staff report (DS)
Vienna, Austria -- Semperit Group has again improved its sales and profit figures for the six months to June 2008. Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) improved by 12.3 percent, to EUR 33.2 million. Total revenue rose by 7.5 percent to EUR 326.4 million.
The company note that rising raw material, energy and personnel costs led to a considerable rise in expenses. These price rises could be partially counteracted by efficiency improvements and cost savings. However, in many cases, said Semperit, it was necessary to pass on the higher production costs to customers.
Despite high currency translation losses as a consequence of the weak US dollar, the Sempermed division reported a 3.2 percent increase in revenue in the first half of 2008, to EUR 111.3 million. Earnings before tax (EBT) of the Sempermed division improved by 16.2 percent, to EUR 6.4 million (previous year: EUR 5.5 million). Sempermed makes gloves for medical and industrial applications.
In the first half of 2008, total revenue of the Semperflex division rose by 6.7 percent, to EUR 89.3 million. Earnings before tax totalled EUR 11.3 million, or 5.8 percent above the previous year's level of EUR 10.7 million, despite being burdened by high raw material costs for rubber, carbon black and wires, as well as the increase in energy prices. Semperflex develops, manufactures and markets hydraulic and industrial hose, rubber sheeting and wear resistant rubber worldwide.
The conveyor belting division, Sempertrans division once again posted the most dynamic growth in the Semperit Group in the first half of the 2008 financial year, with revenue climbing by 16.0 percent, to EUR 65.5 million. Earnings before tax rose from EUR 5.9 million, to EUR 7.5 million. Semperform makes moulded rubber and plastic goods, profiles, escalator handrails, sponge rubber and anti-vibration membranes in the world markets.
In the first half of 2008, total revenue of the Semperform division climbed 8.4 percent, to EUR 60.3 million. Earnings before tax improved by EUR 0.9 million, to EUR 9.2 million, which represents a rise of 10.6 percent.
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Press release from Semperit
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