Strongly improved results for BE Group

Strongly improved results for BE Group

Net sales for the first quarter of 2011 amounted to SEK 1,519 M (1,074),
which represents an increase of 41 percent. Shipped tonnage rose by 23
percent.

The operating result for the quarter improved by SEK 73 M to SEK 45 M
(loss 28) and underlying EBITA amounted to SEK 51 M (loss 8).

In February, the Swedish metal processing group RTS was acquired,
strengthening BE Group's production offering to major engineering
customers.

The operations in Denmark were closed. Costs amounting to SEK 4 M for
the closure were charged against earnings for the quarter.

The President and CEO of BE Group, Roger Johansson, made the following
comments on the report for the first quarter of 2011:

“The fact that we strengthened our first-quarter performance is
satisfying. Demand for our products and services increased gradually
over the quarter and net sales rose strongly compared with the
corresponding period in 2010. It is pleasing that all business areas
delivered improved results and that we were also able to achieve
profitability in Business Area CEE.

It is our assessment that demand will continue to rise during 2011.
Sales prices are expected to rise in the short term, while the
longer-term trend is currently more difficult to assess.”

 

For further information, please contact: 

Roger Johansson, President and CEO, BE Group
Tel. 46 (0)733 188 758, e-mail:
roger.johansson@begroup.com (roger.johansson@begroup.com)

Torbjörn Clementz, CFO and Executive Vice President 
Tel. 46 (0)708 690 788, e-mail:
torbjorn.clementz@begroup.com (torbjorn.clementz@begroup.com)

 

Today, at 13:00 a.m. CET, Roger Johansson and Torbjörn Clementz will
comment on development at a conference with market analysts and the
press. The conference may be followed via webcast or by phone (see
information below).

If you wish to participate via webcast and/or ask questions at the press
conference, please copy and paste the following link into your web
browser to register online. Make sure to include the full link.

http://storm.zoomvisionmamato.com/player/begroup/objects/nqp8y9tc
 (http://storm.zoomvisionmamato.com/player/begroup/objects/nqp8y9tc)

The following telephone numbers can be used to participate in the
presentation:
Sweden:            +46 (0)8 505 598 53

UK:                     +44 203 043 24 36

US:                     +1 866 458 40 87

 

The information in this report is such that BE Group AB (publ) is
required to disclose pursuant to the Swedish Securities Exchange and
Clearing Operations Act and/or the Swedish Financial Instruments Trading
Act. This information was submitted for publication on April 28, 2011 at
7.45 a.m. CET.

BE Group, listed on the Nasdaq OMX Stockholm exchange, is one of
Europe's leading trading and service companies for steel and other
metals. The Group has about 10,000 customers, primarily in the
construction and engineering industries. BE Group provides various forms
of service for steel, stainless steel and aluminium applications. In
2010, the Group reported sales of SEK 5.1 Bn. BE Group have more than
900 employees in ten countries, with Sweden and Finland being its
largest markets. The head office is located in Malmö, Sweden.
Read more about BE Group at www.begroup.com