Continued growth for the VSM Group in the USA

Continued growth for the VSM Group in the USA · Turnover in the USA increased by 1.5 per cent during the second quarter compared with an exceptionally strong previous year. · Operating result before amortisation of intangible assets was 22 million SEK (53 MSEK). · Currency-adjusted sales for the group decreased by 4 per cent in the second quarter and by 7 per cent in the first half-year. · The lower dollar exchange rate had a limited impact on results, thanks to hedging. The currency-adjusted turnover of the VSM Group declined by 4 per cent compared with the second quarter of the previous year and by 7 per cent for the January-June period. However, it must be remembered that the first half of 2002 was exceptionally strong, mainly as a result of major new product launches, giving a 24 per cent increase in sales compared with the corresponding period in the previous year. "Despite the fact that certain exciting product launches have been delayed until the second half-year, I am satisfied with sales to date this year. With the exception of the record year 2002, the second quarter of this year was the strongest second quarter ever", says Svante Runnquist, CEO of the VSM Group. On the main market, the USA, dollar sales increased by 1.5 per cent during the second quarter compared with the strong previous year. Among other things, this was the result of continued success for the Group's own outlets. In the German-speaking markets and in some of the agency markets, sales have declined in the second quarter, while they increased in several other markets, including the Nordic countries, Japan and Australia. "We consider that the underlying market trend remains positive - not only in the USA but also in many other markets, including Sweden", says Svante Runnquist, and adds: "Creative sewing is receiving ever greater coverage in newspapers and TV channels all over the world. Sewing-and-entertainment programmes like 'Sick-Sack' on TV4 Plus in Sweden are increasing the interest in creative sewing and that is obviously a good thing for us." Operating result before amortisation of intangible assets for the second quarter amounted to 22 million SEK (53 MSEK) and for the half-year to 72 million SEK (130 MSEK). Even if turnover measured in Swedish Kronor was negatively influenced by the lower dollar exchange-rate, the impact on the result is more limited due to earlier decisions to hedge the USD net flow. Financial results for the first half-year has also been affected by certain extra costs in production as a consequence of delayed product launches. The SMART rationalisation programme, which was introduced during the first quarter, has had a positive impact on results, and we anticipate greater benefits when the programme has been fully implemented during the remainder of 2003 and 2004. The operating cash flow for the second quarter was 25 million SEK (43 MSEK) and, accumulated over the first two quarters, 22 million SEK (150 MSEK). Net debt increased during the period by 53 million SEK to 1,091 million SEK. "The strategy that has been so successful over the past six years, i.e. that of selling the joy of creative sewing, remains intact", says Svante Runnquist, CEO of the VSM Group. "We see positive signs that the market for IPO´s has once again begun to move, even though we do not have any such plans for the remainder of 2003." Key figures (amounts in SEK million) April-June January-June 2003 2002 2001 2003 2002 2001 Net sales 504 596 499 1 062 1 295 1 026 Operating result before 22 53 6 72 130 51 amortization of intangible assets (EBITA) Operating result (EBIT) 6 41 -5 40 107 29 Operating cash flow 25 43 54 22 150 122 VSM Group AB SE-561 84 Huskvarna Sweden Tel: +46 3614 6000 (switchboard) CONTACTS Svante Runnquist CEO Tel: +46 3614 6682 Gunnar Vidén CFO Tel: +46 3614 7247 Pictures for free publication can be downloaded from our press room on www.vsmgroup.com This also contains other press information. ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/09/04/20030904BIT00650/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/09/04/20030904BIT00650/wkr0002.pdf