Poolia: Interim Report for the Period January 1, 2003 -- March 31, 2003


STOCKHOLM, Sweden, May 9, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Poolia: President and CEO Mats Edlund's Comments on the First Quarter:

Poolia Professionals

"The acquisition of the recruitment company Nilesco Search during the first quarter strengthened our focus on professional staffing for the legal services area. A number of exciting projects within the HRM (Human Resource Management) area were launched during the period, including a Nordic-wide career-transformation project. In addition, Poolia received one of Sweden's largest recruitment assignments for a security company, which covers up to 2,300 placements over four years.

Market and business climate

"Market conditions in the countries served by Poolia show no signs of growth. Demand remained unchanged during the first quarter. Poolia's continued focus on productivity and cost-effectiveness resulted in Swedish operations reporting an operating profit during the first quarter. The group's focus on restoring profitability is continuing with undiminished intensity. Expansion in Nordic markets continues. The group's operations in the three Nordic countries doubled in revenue compared with the year-earlier period. A number of frame agreements with key customers were signed during the period. Trademark and profiling Profiling of the Poolia Professionals trademark continues. An advertising campaign in Sweden's five largest daily newspapers was launched in March, based on the theme of high customer satisfaction. Poolia Professionals' efforts to establish a profile as a premium brand and first choice when it comes to highly qualified staffing services continued during the period. Uniflex The subsidiary Uniflex, which offers services in the generalist segment, reports increased sales and sharply improved earnings compared with the year-earlier period."

For further information, please contact: Mats Edlund, President and Chief Executive Officer (Tel: +46-8-555 655 50) Kjell Ake Jagenstedt, Chief Financial Officer (Tel: +46-8-555 650 09)

Poolia is a leading player in the market for highly qualified staffing services and is active in 25 locations in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Germany. Operations include the Temporary Staffing, Recruitment/Search and Outsourcing service areas. In each service sector, operations are divided into occupational segments, namely Accounting, Bank & Finance, IT, Office, Human Resources and Payroll, Technical, Sales & Marketing, Legal, Teaching, Healthcare and Life Science. During 2002, Poolia divided its Swedish operations into two brands to increase its market transparency. Poolia Professionals positions itself as a specialist in professional staffing and recruitment services while the subsidiary Uniflex is one of the largest companies in the generalist staffing segments. Uniflex offers services in the receptionist, customer service, switchboard, call-center, industry & warehousing and internal service fields.


 Forthcoming financial reports
 August 14, 2003          Interim report, January - June
 November 5, 2003         Interim report, January - September
 February 2004            Year-end Report, 2003

This interim report has been prepared in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Council's Recommendation RR20. The accounting and calculation principles are unchanged compared with the 2002 Annual Report. This interim report has not been reviewed specifically by the Company's auditors.

For further information, please contact: Mats Edlund, President and Chief Executive Officer (Tel: +46-8-55565050) Kjell Ake Jagenstedt, Chief Financial Officer (Tel: +46-8-555 650 09)

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