- Revenues from continuing operations 530 MNOK (-16% relative to first quarter 2002)
  - Europe 163 MNOK (-27%)
  - North America 270 MNOK (-13% in NOK; +10% in USD)
  - South America 97 MNOK (unchanged in NOK; +26% in USD)
 

 

 

 

On 28 March 2003, the German beverage and retail industries decided on a security solution for the correct identification and devaluation of deposit containers. The selected solution has been developed by a consortium of five companies including TOMRA. In addition to EAN bar code recognition, each reverse vending machine will be equipped with detection devices to identify a special ink mark on each deposit container, as well as with container devaluation mechanisms. TOMRA is participating in the group responsible for developing the final technical specifications of the security solution, which are expected to be concluded in the coming weeks.

 

On 1 October 2003 the national and automated deposit system for non-refillable containers for soft drink, beer and mineral water is expected to be implemented. The tender process for the selection of a clearing house operator was initiated in March and is expected to be concluded within a short time, followed by a speedy approval process by the German anti-trust authorities. Upon this selection, the two major practical issues in the implementation of the national deposit system - security system and clearing house operator - will have been solved.

 

 

TOMRA has received orders for 350 back-room systems from Danish retailers at a value of approximately 26 MNOK. TOMRA anticipates receiving orders for an additional 150 installations in the coming months. Under the current schedule, installations will be completed during 2003 and 2004. The tender process for compactors is still on-going.

TOMRA installed 400 machines in U.S. East during the first quarter 2003, which included 170 TOMRA 83 HCp machines. TOMRA anticipates a continued high machine placement rate during the remainder of 2003. During the first quarter 2003 TOMRA closed its processing plant in Massachusetts and consolidated its processing capacity in Connecticut. Through these rationalization processes TOMRA will achieve annual cost savings of approximately 1.0 MUSD.

TOMRA has entered into an agreement with a major retailer in California to service 130 recycling centers  at its stores in northern and southern California. TOMRA will take over all sites during the second quarter 2003. A portion of the centers will be converted to automated rePlanet centers by utilizing available technology. The annual revenue impact for TOMRA from these additional centers will be approximately 7.5 MUSD.

 

TOMRA has entered into an agreement with Pão de Açucar, a major retailer in Brazil, to expand the number of rePlanet centers currently operated outside its retail outlets from eight to fifteen centers.