· Net turnover increased by 3.2 per cent to SEK 121.6 m (117.8).
· Operating profit was SEK 9.5 m (11.6).
· Profit before tax amounted to SEK 9.6 m (11.9); profit after tax stood at SEK 6.9 m (8.5).
· Earnings per share after estimated tax were SEK 1.10 (1.36).
· Strategic acquisition of Hitech Electronics of Taiwan.
· Sales and profit are expected to increase for the full year 2005.
Comments from Göran Sigfridsson, our CEO
"Our acquisition of Hitech Electronics, announced in March, has attracted major attention in the sector, signposting Beijer Electronics' ambitions in the HMI market segment. This feels positive and may create more business opportunities. The acquisition is strategic, giving us an enviable platform to create long-term growth in the world's most dynamic market region. Hitech Electronics has been consolidated from 1 April - coordination is already underway, a process headed by our Norwegian subsidiary's CEO Tron Saastad."
"The HMI Products business area's healthy sales gains continued and I'm pleased that our in-house direct sales are performing positively, as are our main brand label channels. EXTER - our new operator terminals - have also been very well received on the market. After only three months, EXTER represented 16 per cent of business area sales."
"The Automation business area's market posted slightly lower growth in the period than the previous quarter, but the business area was able to defend its market shares, lifting sales and profits in the period. The fact that sales in Finland have started to rally, and the Norwegian business is posting good profits, is positive."