Download 9-Month-Report 2000
realTech AG, a leading IT consulting house, software product vendor and provider of hosting services for e-commerce solutions, has reported an increase in sales of 61 percent for the first nine months of 2000. In the first three quarters of fiscal 2000, realTech posted revenues of euro 31.7 million, compared with euro 19.7 million for the same period of 1999.
The results show earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of euro 3.7 million, and earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of euro 1.4 million. The equivalent figures for the first nine months of 1999 were euro 3.6 million (EBITDA) and euro 3.1 million (EBIT). In the third quarter of 2000, realTech generated EBIT of euro 179 thousand. The company has therefore successfully reversed the trend of falling EBIT witnessed during the previous three quarters (discounting the one-time effect of the sale of the holding in IT-GO! GmbH in the second quarter of 2000).
The realTech payroll stood at 490 on September 30, 2000, compared with 396 at the turn of the year.
High demand for software solutions
A significant proportion of recent growth is attributable to sales of software solutions. Revenues from software developed by realTech increased to euro 3.7 million. This represents an increase of 305 percent compared with fiscal 1999. Sales of software solutions now make up 12 percent of total revenue, compared with a 5 percent contribution last year.
Investment in research and development was 3.8 percent of revenues, or euro 1.2 million. This increase is largely attributable to the development costs of new software releases, for example user-friendly Web-based solutions for efficient management of business processes.
The executive management expects EBIT of around euro 2.1 million for fiscal 2000 and foresees organic growth driving revenues to around euro 42.4 million. Last year's revenues totaled euro 28.9 million.
Outlook for 2001
Revenues are projected to rise to euro 61.8 million in 2001. This would represent an increase of euro 19.4 million or 46 percent over the current forecast for fiscal 2000.
Sales of software solutions are expected to double to euro 9.7 million, contributing 16 percent of total revenues compared with 11 percent in 2000.
realTech forecasts EBITDA of around euro 6.2 million and EBIT of euro 1.6 million for 2001. A particular focus in the coming year will be software solutions developed in-house, as these offer opportunities for high-margin sales. As a result, the company will be increasing R&D investment and expanding the sales organization.
Employee numbers are projected to rise to around
740 by year-end 2001.
The CEO and founder member of realTech AG, Markus Adam,
was taken ill in February 2000 and will not be resuming his responsibilities. He will officially leave realTech AG on December 1, 2000. Daniele Di Croce, the company's CFO, will remain acting CEO until further notice.
