PR Newswire/Les Echos/
? PRESS RELEASE
Q3 2008 sales: €26.1 million (-1.2%)
Paris, 17th November 2008:
Groupe VIAL (ISIN: FR0010340406), France's leading independent industrial
joinery discount group, announces its consolidated sales for its 3rd quarter to
30rd September 2008 and its 9-month sales.
Consolidates sales
In € million, 2008 2007 ? (%)
IFRS
1st Quarter 25.61 24.79 +3.3%
2nd Quarter 28.18 30.30 (7.0%)
3rd Quarter 26.45 26.14 (1.2%)
Total 9 months 79.93 81.54 (2.0%)
Consolidated sales for the 3rd quarter of 2008 totalled €26.1 million, a slight
fall of 1.2%.
Despite the disruption associated with the gradual implementation of ERP that
continued over the quarter, Groupe VIAL was able to maintain an almost-
identical level of activity to that recorded last year. This performance was
recorded despite difficult operating conditions for all teams. A sizeable "no
sale" phenomenon due to the non availability of some of the range's products
was also observed over the quarter.
This performance confirms the defensive nature of the discount positioning of
Groupe Vial's products within the context of an economic, housing and financial
crisis. The range of renovation products, which was broadened and improved when
the new catalogue came out in May 2008, is proving to be an encouraging success
with customers and is enabling the Group to increase its market share in a very
competitive sector.
Over the first 9 months of 2008, sales totalled €79.9 million, a slight
decrease of 2%.
Opening of 4rd stores in France over the 3 quarter
Over the third quarter, 4 new stores were opened in France (Blois, Alès,
Orléans and Lille). Groupe VIAL has thus strengthened its presence in the north
of France, in accordance with its strategy of having a nationwide network of
stores. For the 4th quarter, three more store openings are planned, in
Valenciennes and Nantes in France and in Faro in Portugal. All 7 openings
carried out over the second half of this year were already signed and scheduled
in 2007.
At 30th September, the Group's network consisted of 68 open stores and 3 sites
already signed that are planned to open over the fourth quarter of the year.
These stores are divided as follows:
- France: 64 open stores
- Spain: 6 stores = 4 open + 2 signed
- Portugal: 1 signed
At end-2008, Groupe Vial's network will thus consist of 71 stores, a virtual
doubling in just two years
Perspectives
The deployment of ERP is continuing in line with the predefined timetable.
Initial tests in 5 stores connected to the new system in mid-October are
proving conclusive, and all teams are pursuing their efforts to restore the
smooth running of production as quickly as possible.
An update on the deployment of ERP will be published before the end of the year.
Groupe Vial is fully confident that it will meet its 2008 annual sales target
of €100 million.
Next press release:
FY 2008 sales: 12th February 2009 after market close
About Groupe VIAL (www.groupe-vial.com):
Listed on the Eurolist (Compartment B) of Euronext Paris since December 2006,
Groupe VIAL manufactures and distributes aluminium, PVC and wood joinery
products (doors, windows, gates, stairs, etc.) offering unparalleled value for
money through tight control of supply lines; efficient, modern production
facilities and the 68-store VIAL Menuiseries distribution network (including 4
stores in Spain).
Groupe VIAL is France's largest independent discount joinery specialist.
Public site: www.vial-menuiseries.com
Listed on Euronext Paris compartment B of NYSE Euronext
Reuters: VIA.PA - Bloomberg: VIA FP
Contacts
Groupe VIAL NewCap.
Jean-François Buigues Financial Communications - Investor Relations
Chief Financial Officer Steve Grobet / Pierre Laurent
investisseurs@groupe-vial.com Tel: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94
Fax: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 90
vial@newcap.fr
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