Recovery in the automotive and aviation sectors continuing

Development service provider Bertrandt is also feeling the effects of the recovery emerging in the international markets. Revenues rose by 3.7 percent, rising to EUR 304.7 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2009/2010 (previous year: EUR 293.8 million). Operating profit was up as well to EUR 29.8 million as of 30 June 2010 (previous year: EUR 25.8 million). Earnings after income tax climbed to EUR 22.4 million (previous year: EUR 19.9 million). Groupwide, Bertrandt employed 6,111 people on 30 June 2010 (previous year: 5,476).

Business picking up

The recovery in the automotive and aviation industries, signs of which appeared in 2009, continued in the first half of 2010. Under such conditions, the Bertrandt Group posted an increase in both revenues and earnings. Revenues in the first nine months of fiscal 2009/2010 came to EUR 304.7 million (previous year: EUR 293.8 million). Viewed in isolation, revenues in the third quarter rose by some 31 percent to EUR 110.1 million (previous year: EUR 84.0 million). Operating profit for the first three quarters of fiscal 2009/2010 was up 15.9 percent, climbing to EUR 29.8 million (previous year: EUR 25.8 million). In the third quarter, Bertrandt generated an operating profit of EUR 10.0 million (preyear quarter: EUR 6.4 million). Earnings after income tax came to EUR 22.4 million (previous year: EUR 19.9 million), rising to EUR 7.1 million in the third quarter (prioryear quarter: EUR 4.6 million).

"We are resolutely continuing our growthoriented strategy with its focus on three pillars, namely automotive, aviation and the nonmobility industries of the future," explained CEO Dietmar Bichler when presenting the figures for the first nine months, reaffirming the successful course adopted by the Company years ago. With the strong legislative pressure to innovate together with consumers' individual wishes, Bichler sees further potential for supporting OEMs and systems suppliers with customised development services.

Assuming a sustainable recovery in the economy and in passenger vehicle sales, he also sees scope for growth in Bertrandt's top and bottom line in the medium term. "We are committed to enhancing our Company's enterprise value on a solid economic basis and to gearing ourselves closely and consistently to our customers' wishes in the market for development services," Bertrandt's CEO added.

Increase in staff numbers

Staff numbers at Bertrandt were up again as of 30 June 2010. On that date, Bertrandt employed 6,111 engineers, technicians and commercial staff (previous year 5,476). In this way, it was possible to create 635 new jobs.