Despite the difficult economic environment, SURTECO SE – the leading global supplier of surface materials based on plastics and papers for technical applications – again intends to increase sales and earnings during the current business year. The international supplier to the construction and furnishing industry concluded the last business year with sales amounting to € 414.5 million (+3 %) and also increased earnings for the fourth time in succession – EBIT at € 55.5 million was also 3 % above the figures for the previous year. This trend looks set to continue despite the significant economic slowdown currently being experienced because SURTECO SE is planning to continue the track record of uninterrupted profitable growth over the past 15 years. By 2011, consolidated sales are projected to increase to some € 800 million. The EBITDA margin of nearly 18 percent in 2007 is predicted to rise to more than 20 %.

Sales revenues amounting to € 108.6 million during the first quarter of 2008 only permit limited comparisons with the figures for the previous year (€ 107.6 million). While the months of January and February pointed to steady business performance, noticeably weaker sales were generated in March due to the effect of the Easter period. However, stronger orders booked in April indicate that part of the sales revenues were shifted to the second quarter. Negative changes in currency parities, planned sales reductions in the do-it-yourself sector with weak margins and economic setbacks also exerted a negative impact on business.

By contrast, SURTECO is able to report an initial positive success for the recent acquisition of Gislaved Folie AB in September 2007. The Swedish manufacturer produces plastic foils for specialist applications in interior design and vehicles, as well as other specialities, and the business performed successfully. The company generated positive sales and income in accordance with expectations.

Consolidated net profit for the first quarter of 2008 amounted to € 8.2 million (2007: € 9.0 million). Earnings per share (net income per share) amounted to € 0.74 (2007: € 0.81). Although earnings for the first three months of the current business year did not match the equivalent year-earlier figures, SURTECO SE is assuming that the negative effects will be compensated by continued moderate growth during the course of this year. Business gathered pace during April to confirm this view.

Important indicators of SURTECO SE: