Esko makes a strong start in 2006

Esko, the supplier of packaging pre-production solutions, has announced a strong performance in the first quarter of 2006. Consolidated net revenues increased by 20 per cent, and EBIT was up by 1.5 Mio Euro compared to the first quarter of 2005.

The first quarter of 2006 saw all product lines continue their performance above expectations. The strongest sales increases were noted for software ( 28 per cent compared to last year) and CAM table ( 41 per cent compared to last year). Esko’s Cyrel Digital Imager (CDI) product line grew by 15 per cent and maintained a global market share in excess of 70 per cent. All regions contributed to the revenue increase, with North America and Japan growing by 25 per cent and 40 per cent respectively compared to last year.

In addition to the EBIT increase, a reduction of the net working capital at the end of the first quarter (by more then 20 per cent compared to the same period last year) contributed to a healthy cash flow situation.

‘We are very happy to see our solid business growth in 2005 confirmed right from the start of 2006,” commented Carsten Knudsen, president and CEO. ‘Our strategic vision for offering integrated solutions to the packaging supply chain has been confirmed by analysts and customers throughout the world, and the many new products and services Esko introduced over the last six months are clearly met with great enthusiasm by both existing customers and new prospects. New orders and selling cycles are up, and we have all reasons to believe that we will exceed our growth targets for the full year 2006.’