STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Nov. 13, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Atea, the Nordic region's leading one-stop supplier of IT products and related services, reports a weak third quarter 2003 as anticipated. Turnover amounted to 927 MSEK (1132 MSEK in the third quarter 2002), resulting in an operating loss (EBITA) of -8,1 MSEK (6 MSEK).
Accumulated turnover as at the end of the third quarter 2003 amounted to 3460 MSEK (4611 MSEK ), with an operating profit (EBITA) of 35,4 MSEK (68 MSEK), and pre-tax profits of 9 MSEK (40 MSEK).
"The third quarter is normally the weakest of the year in our sector.As predicted, the market continued to be tough in the third quarter withlower volumes combined with pressure on prices - resulting in averageprices falling by 25 percent, said Thomas Keifer, CEO of Atea.
Keifer continued: "This means that we need to continue to improve the Group's efficiency and add more value to our customers with infrastructure products and related services. We have a strong market position and we have won a number of very promising new customers and projects during this quarter, but we haven't yet seen the results in our numbers."
Atea Sweden also has announced an agreement with WM-data regarding the acquisition of WM-data's Swedish operations within System Platforms, a division that works with server and data storage solutions. Server consolidation is a growth area where Atea was successful in the third quarter and now has the resources and the competence to take on major projects.
Atea is the leading Nordic company within sales, distribution and integration of IT products and IT infrastructure. Atea's business concept is to simplify and rationalise customers' management of IT products throughout the entire life cycle.
The Atea group (Atea Holding AB) was legally formed on 1 October 2001, and is owned by WM-data, the international venture capital company 3i, as well as the management of Atea. The CEO is Thomas Keifer. Atea employs about 700 people in the Nordic region, and turnover in 2002 amounted to 6061 MSEK
For further information, please contact: Atea Thomas Keifer, CEO Tel: +46 (0)733-98 00 06 E-mail: thomas.keifer@atea.com Atea Rolf Eriksson, CFO Tel: +46 (0)733-98 55 01 E-mail: rolf.eriksson@atea.com Atea Johan Scherlin, Marketing and Information Tel: +46 (0)733-98 43 10 E-mail: johan.scherlin@atea.com
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