Amer Group's net sales up 7% in the first eight months of 1999
1999-09-02, 08:15
Based on preliminary sales figures for the period January to August 1999, Amer Group's net sales were up 7% at EUR 538 million compared to the same period last year. Sales growth was mainly accounted for by Wilson tennis racquets and Atomic alpine skis, stated President & CEO Roger Talermo in an investor presentation in New York earlier today.
According to Mr Talermo, Wilson's new Hyper Carbon tennis racquets have been selling very briskly. Based on a new material, the racquets were launched in the US in November 1998 and in Europe during spring and summer 1999. Sales of premium performance racquets increased by 22%.
Despite the softness of the US golf market and contrary to many other golf equipment manufacturers, Wilson was able to increase its golf club sales, boosting its premium club sales by 25% globally. In golf balls, Wilson maintained its market position. For the upcoming season the company recently launched new generation Smart-Core golf balls and new Fat Shaft Hyper Carbon golf clubs, both premium products.
Wilson's team sports equipment sales increased and the company further strengthened its market position. Baseball sales increased by 24% and baseball glove sales by 21%. American football sales were up 10%.
The success of Atomic's alpine skis continues with the value of pre-bookings for winter 1999-2000 30% above last year's level. Atomic, which is expected to move into the black this year, also expects to sell more than 600,000 pairs of alpine skis this year and to become the clear No. 2 ski manufacturer worldwide.
Sales of Oxygen's in-line have declined as expected. Following a restructuring of the business, Oxygen, which made heavy losses last year, will focus on the fitness segment, seeking profitability in premium products.
Amer Tobacco's sales in the first eight months grew by 6%.
Commenting on the eight-month sales picture, Mr Talermo said:
Although 1999 is proving to be a difficult year for the sporting goods industry as a whole, we are very happy with Amer's performance so far. All business units, and thus Amer Group as a whole, improved their profitability as planned and, after a three-year restructuring period, we are clearly now entering a growth phase.
Amer Group will report its interim results for the period January to August 1999 on 5 October 1999.
AMER GROUP PLC
Communications Department
Marja-Leena Simola
Vice President, Communications
Tel. +358 9 7257 8306
Fax +358 9 791 385
E-mail: marja-leena.simola@amer.fi
The full report including tables can be downloaded from the enclosed link
For further information, please contact:
Mr Roger Talermo, President & CEO, Tel. +358 9 7257 8210
Mr Pekka Paalanne, Senior Vice President & CFO,
Tel. +358 9 7257 8212
According to Mr Talermo, Wilson's new Hyper Carbon tennis racquets have been selling very briskly. Based on a new material, the racquets were launched in the US in November 1998 and in Europe during spring and summer 1999. Sales of premium performance racquets increased by 22%.
Despite the softness of the US golf market and contrary to many other golf equipment manufacturers, Wilson was able to increase its golf club sales, boosting its premium club sales by 25% globally. In golf balls, Wilson maintained its market position. For the upcoming season the company recently launched new generation Smart-Core golf balls and new Fat Shaft Hyper Carbon golf clubs, both premium products.
Wilson's team sports equipment sales increased and the company further strengthened its market position. Baseball sales increased by 24% and baseball glove sales by 21%. American football sales were up 10%.
The success of Atomic's alpine skis continues with the value of pre-bookings for winter 1999-2000 30% above last year's level. Atomic, which is expected to move into the black this year, also expects to sell more than 600,000 pairs of alpine skis this year and to become the clear No. 2 ski manufacturer worldwide.
Sales of Oxygen's in-line have declined as expected. Following a restructuring of the business, Oxygen, which made heavy losses last year, will focus on the fitness segment, seeking profitability in premium products.
Amer Tobacco's sales in the first eight months grew by 6%.
Commenting on the eight-month sales picture, Mr Talermo said:
Although 1999 is proving to be a difficult year for the sporting goods industry as a whole, we are very happy with Amer's performance so far. All business units, and thus Amer Group as a whole, improved their profitability as planned and, after a three-year restructuring period, we are clearly now entering a growth phase.
Amer Group will report its interim results for the period January to August 1999 on 5 October 1999.
AMER GROUP PLC
Communications Department
Marja-Leena Simola
Vice President, Communications
Tel. +358 9 7257 8306
Fax +358 9 791 385
E-mail: marja-leena.simola@amer.fi
The full report including tables can be downloaded from the enclosed link
For further information, please contact:
Mr Roger Talermo, President & CEO, Tel. +358 9 7257 8210
Mr Pekka Paalanne, Senior Vice President & CFO,
Tel. +358 9 7257 8212