PARIS, June 13, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- BVRP SOFTWARE has recorded a growth in its activity during the first nine months of fiscal year 2000/2001, with a progression in its consolidated turnover of + 26.9% compared to the same period in 1999/00. The progression was 31.8% when the Lab Production Company, sold at the start of May 2001, is excluded.
From 01/08/00
to 30/04/01 2000/2001 1999/2000 Variation
In KFRF In KE In KFRF In KE
Software 88918 13555 65876 10043 +35.0%
Services 83173 12680 64666 9858 +28.6%
Multimedia 16091 2453 17723 2702 -9.2%
Others 178 27 177 27 NS
TOTAL 188360 28715 148442 22630 +26.9%
These figures show that the third quarter recorded lower growth than previous quarters. These last three months were characterized by an absence of growth in Europe, which can be explained in part by a wait and see attitude amongst European modem and PC manufacturers, and also to a performance well below the forecasts from the Lab Production company, which has since been sold.
On the other hand, growth remains very dynamic in the United States, a country in which major contracts are currently being negotiated with the major players in the sector.
The turnover at the end of April is in line with Group objectives.
In terms of the BVRP group's annual objectives, taking the first nine months' growth into account, the fourth quarter will, as always, be crucial, as it traditionally represents a major share of group turnover.
External Growth Plans
The new range of BVRP software, which offers twenty products, has a very strong potential for growth due to its diversity and to its target markets. That is why, following the acquisition of AB Soft, BVRP intends to continue its policy of acquisition in order to strengthen its distribution networks in the target markets, namely England, Germany and the USA.
As current market conditions have lead us to postpone the convertible bond issue, scheduled at the start of June, the BVRP group, whose financial situation is particularly healthy, is currently working on other financing sources, which are vital to the overall implementation of this program of acquisitions.
As for services, BVRP intends to continue its policy of internal growth via a greater internationalization of the activity. The success achieved in France by the subsidiary TechCity, and the level of growth in customer demand for expert-level technical assistance, demonstrates the validity of the concept on which the BVRP service sector is based; the synergy between software publishing and service provision allows us to deliver a top of the range technological offer, whose positioning has no competition from the traditional players in the sector.
It therefore looks advisable to develop the service business more actively on the international level, as was done in France, in order to support an activity that generates growth and margins.
In the medium term, the progressive introduction to the market of the entire software range, the integration of AB Soft and the numerous contracts currently under discussion enable us to confirm excellent visibility at the strategic level, despite an economic situation whose future course is difficult to determine.
A mixed general meeting of the shareholders has been called for June 28, 2001.