The EMS Group, which operates worldwide in Performance Polymers and Fine Chemicals / Engineering and whose companies operate within EMS-CHEMIE HOLDING AG, lifted its sales by 3.5% in the first nine months of 2004 over the yearback period, thus slightly exceeding expectations. If the scope of consolidation had remained the same, the increase in sales would have been 5.9% (the INVENTA - FISCHER business unit - which was sold during the reporting period - was thus no longer consolidated).
Consolidated net sales in Swiss francs were lifted by 3.5% to CHF 949 million (up from 917 million). In local currencies, they rose by 2.8%. If the scope of consolidation had remained unchanged the increase in sales would have amounted to 5.9% (in local currencies: 5.2%). As the INVENTA - FISCHER business unit was sold on July 14, 2004 with retroactive effect as of January 1, 2004 to the plant construction company UHDE GmbH, based in Dortmund, Germany, the scope of consolidation
changed retroactively as of January 1, 2004.
Whereas sales were according to plan in the US and Asia, third-quarter sales in Europe were higher than expected. The volume trend for Performance Polymers in particular was encouraging.
At the end of 2004, EMS still expects both sales and EBIT to be slightly higher than in the previous year.