Activity continues to improve in Q3 2009 Revenues up 7.9%

12/10/09 - Ten new centers in France and Italy

 

Audika Group recorded third-quarter revenues of EUR 20.7 million, an increase of 7.9%. This performance was boosted by the contributions from new centers recently integrated in France and Italy, and the sharp improvement in organic trends, which restabilized this quarter.

 

(in EUR thousands)	2008	2009	Change
H1 revenues	51,633	51,620	-0.1%
Q3 revenues	19,197	20,709	+7.9%
9-month revenues	70,830	72,329	+2.1%

 

In particular, Audika is beginning to reap the rewards from the continuation of its buoyant investment policy, both in terms of marketing and development.

 

Nine-month revenues amounted to EUR 72.3 million, an increase of 2.1% (down 4.7% in organic terms). With Audika now generating some 8.2% of its revenues in Italy compared to 4.9% for the same period last year, the Group is in line with its ambitious development plan on the Italian market. Accordingly, an initial TV campaign was launched in September to increase brand awareness and underpin future growth.

 

Strengthening the Group’s French and Italian networks in the third quarter

 

In France, Audika acquired two new centers in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (2 centers), Franche Comté (2 centers) and Picardy (1 center) regions. The additional revenues generated by these acquisitions will be more than EUR 1 million over a full year. Moreover, the Group continued to strengthen its national coverage, with its first set-up in the Mayenne regional department, in Laval, and by reinforcing its position in Charente, opening a center in Cognac.

 

In Italy, Audika added three centers to its network, acquiring one additional center in Rome (where the Group now has nine centers) and opening two new centers in the Turin region. With 46 locations in Italy now, the Group is rapidly approaching its target of 50 centers, one year ahead of its initial development schedule.

 

Outlook confirmed

 

Audika intends to continue to draw on the progressive improvement in its activity over the coming months. Additionally the Group will capitalize on the active development of its networks (47 new centers since the beginning of the year in France and Italy) in order to optimize its growth, while maintaining high profitability.

 

Audika Group will publish its 2009 revenue on January 18, 2010 after market close.

 

About Audika:

 

With 400 centers in 83 different regions and a 14% market share, Audika is the number one network offering hearing correction consulting and solutions in France. The Group recently undertook international development, successfully creating a network of almost 50 centers in Italy.  Positioned on the market for hearing correction solutions for senior citizens, Audika aims to consolidate its leadership in a sector that remains very highly fragmented. Audika is listed on Euronext Paris, Segment B and the SBF 250, CAC Mid & Small 190 and CAC Small 90 indexes.

 

If you would like to receive free financial information on Audika by e-mail, go to: www.audika.com

 

ISIN FR0000063752-ADI Reuters DIKA.PA Bloomberg ADI:FP

Number of shares: 9,450,000

 

Audika contact: Alain Tonnard / Etienne Sirand-Pugnet on +33 (0) 1 55 37 30 30
Actus Finance contact: Guillaume Le Floch on +33 (0) 1 72 74 82 25