Dynamic growth trend in Q1 2006: +13.3%

25/04/06 - 13 new centers

 

Organic growth of 8.5% in the first quarter of 2006

 

Sales for Audika over the first three months of 2006 came out at EUR 18.2 million, up 13.3% on the previous period and including organic growth of 8.5%. This performance, which is entirely in line with the Group’s development plan, came on the back of a more favorable market backdrop that saw a gradual end to the disruptions linked to France’s Social Security requiring patients to register their attending physician.

 

In EUR thousands and under IFRS	T1 2005	T1 2006	Variation
Sales	16,027	18,156	+13.3%

 

Inaugurated at the start of the year, the company’s new marketing campaign has already borne fruit with a strong increase in center attendance in March and April. Accordingly, Audika is ideally placed to pursue its buoyant growth trend in the months ahead. Thus, excluding any new acquisitions which would provide an additional boost, the Group has confirmed its target increase in sales of between 10 and 15% in 2006.

 

 

Ongoing nationwide expansion with 13 new centers

 

Audika actively pursued the development of its network of centers in the first quarter of 2006 with the acquisition of 7 new centers, including 4 in the Paris region, 2 in the Provence, Alpes and Côte d'Azur region and 1 in the Lorraine region. Over a full year, these acquisitions will represent additional sales of almost EUR 1 million for Audika.

 

At the same time and as planned, Audika continued to step up the creation of new centers, optimizing its geographical cover with 6 new entities in 6 different regions (Higher and Lower Normandy, Rhône Alpes, Paris region, Lorraine and Brittany).

 

With over 315 centers to its name, Audika has once again reinforced its market leadership, affording the Group a major competitive edge on an ever-growing market. Moreover, before the end of the first half of 2006, the Group is expected to announce a further wave of acquisitions which are currently still under negotiation.

 

Audika will publish its half-yearly sales for 2006 on July 18, 2006.

 

 

About Audika:

 

With more than 315 centers in 75 different regional departments and a 13% market share, Audika is the number one network offering hearing correction consulting and solutions in France. Positioned on the market for hearing correction solutions for senior citizens, which is not affected by changes in the economic situation, Audika aims to consolidate its leadership in a sector that remains very highly fragmented. Audika is listed on segment B of the Eurolist SMALL 90 index.

 

If you would like to receive financial information about Audika by e-mail, contact: www.audika.com



ISIN FR0000063752-ADI

Reuters DIKA.PA

Bloomberg ADI

Number of shares: 9,450,000



Audika contacts: Alain Tonnard / Etienne Sirand-Pugnet on +33 (0)1 55 37 30 30

Kaparca Finance contact: Guillaume Le Floch on +33 (0)1 72 74 82 25