Strong increase in growth in the third quarter

16/10/07 - 30%, including internal growth of 19%

 

Audika Group posted an excellent third quarter with revenues of EUR 18.3 million, up 30.1% on the previous year. Audika is confirming that its success over the third quarter is based on:

 

• excellent internal growth of 19.2%: in particular, the Group is reaping the rewards from successful local marketing drives over the summer and the growth generated by the new centers set up in 2006 and 2007;

 

 

• the contribution of the acquisitions made during Q4 2006 and since the beginning of 2007. Moreover, the Group benefited from the first contribution of EUR 0.2 million from the centers located in Italy, which have been consolidated since September 1.

 

In EUR thousands	2006	2007	Change
First quarter	18,055	19,97	+10.6%
Second quarter	21,21	24,72	+16.6%
Third quarter	14,046	18,274	+30.1%
Total at 9 months	53,311	62,964	+18.1%

 

Revenues for the first nine months of the year totaled EUR 63 million, up 18%, including internal growth of 11.8%. These figures are slightly ahead of Audika’s development plan, and as such, the Group is confident that it will achieve its 2007 revenue target of EUR 92 million.

 

 

Five new centers in France and one center set up in Italy

 

In line with its strategy, Audika is actively continuing to develop its network in France. Today, Audika is announcing the acquisition of 4 centers (two in the Paris region, one in the Rhône-Alpes and one in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur) which complete the Group’s network coverage in these regions. The contribution of these centers will be marginal in 2007 given the different consolidation dates but they should generate almost EUR 1.5 million in additional revenues in 2008.

 

Audika also broadened its network in Brittany with the set-up of one new center. These transactions bring the number of centers acquired or set up in France in 2007 to 35.

 

In Italy, Audika is announcing the set-up of a new center near Rome which therefore confirms the Group’s strategy of progressively building up its network from the base of centers that it has already acquired.

 

Moreover, Audika still has a sizeable portfolio of potential acquisition targets both in France and Italy, some of which could come to fruition in the near future. At the same time, the Group is currently finalizing new set-ups in key strategic regions in both of these countries.

 

Audika Group will publish its 2007 revenues on January 22, 2008.

 

 

About Audika :

 

With over 350 centers in 80 different regions, 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 environment, Audika aims to consolidate its leadership in a sector that remains very highly fragmented. Audika began its international development in Italy in 2007. Audika is listed on the Eurolist SMALL 90, compartment B.

 

ISIN FR0000063752-ADI

Reuters DIKA.PA

Bloomberg ADI

Number of shares: 9,450,000

 

Audika contact: 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



KAPARCA FINANCE - 16/10/07