BT INDUSTRIES, January - September 2004
BT INDUSTRIES, January - September 2004 Stronger market and stronger position for the BT Group BT INDUSTRIES, January - September 2004 January - Sept Amounts in SEK m. 2004 2003 Orders received 9.997 8.761 Net sales 9.127 8.552 Income after net 562 502 financial items Net income 351 299 Market development The world market for industrial trucks has continued to grow, with the latest global market volumes at a higher level than ever before. The most dramatic increase in demand has been in North America, although most other markets are also characterised by growth and a general upswing. Orders and sales Orders received by the Group increased by 14% and amounted to SEK 9.997 m (8.761) after the first nine months of the year. This positive development is due partly to an improving market and partly to BT's stronger market position. Converted into comparable exchange rates, orders received have risen by around 18% compared to the same period last year. "There are two main reasons behind this impressive upswing: a strong market and the fact that BT is taking market shares. We have been successful with our product launches both last year and in 2004," says CEO Per Zaunders. Income The Group's pre-tax income increased by 12%, totalling SEK 562 m (502). The gross margins on sales of machinery and services have decreased slightly compared to the same period last year. "The market is characterised by intense price competition, which puts pressure on BT's margins. Rising raw material prices, primarily on steel, have also started to have an adverse impact on the gross margin. We expect to be able to compensate for this in the future through price increases," CEO Per Zaunders concludes. For further information, please contact CEO Per Zaunders (+46 142 860 32), CFO Håkan Dahllöf (+46 142 863 38) or Corporate Information Manager Anders Stålhammar (+46 142 861 21). The complete Interim report and other press material are available on BT Industries' home page, www.bt-industries.com. Handling Innovation BT Industries is part of Toyota Industries Corporation. BT Industries is the world's leading supplier of warehouse trucks and related services. We are 8,000 employees and have a turnover of approximately SEK 13 billion. Production is handled at seven plants in four countries and our sales network covers the entire world. Our customers are mainly large, consumer-oriented companies with very high demands on efficient material handling. ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2004/11/12/20041112BIT20350/wkr0010.pdf