Heracles G.C.Co. Group of Companies announced today sales of 513.1 million euros for the nine-month period of 2006, increased by 14.5% in relation to the corresponding period of 2005. Respectively, Company sales for the nine-month period of 2006 amounted to 455.9 million euros, increased by 14.1% as compared to the corresponding period of 2005. The increase in turnover mainly derives from the increase in the domestic cement and ready-mix concrete sales volumes as well as from the achievement of higher prices in cement exports. The Group''s gross profit margin was formed at 25.2% for the nine-month period of 2006 as opposed to 22.6% in 2005. On a comparable basis, neutralizing the impact from the Company?s extraordinary income in 2005 from the refund of the amount of 44.1 million Euros from the Greek State, the Group''s profits before taxes, interest and depreciation (EBITDA) of the nine-month period of 2006 amounted to 125.7 million euros as opposed to 97.0 million euros in the corresponding period of 2005, increased by 29.6%. This increase mainly derives from the improvement in the performance of all operating factors of the Company, compensating the increased fuel, energy and raw materials prices. The Group''s net profits before taxes for the nine-month period amounted to 91.0 million euros as compared to 106.4 million euros for the corresponding period of 2005, reduced by 14.5%. Correspondingly, the Group?s net profits after taxes for the same period amounted to 52.5 million euros as opposed to 86.2 million euros of the same period of 2005, reduced by 39.1%. As mentioned, this reduction is mainly due to the extraordinary income from the refund of 44.1 million euros from the Greek State in 2005. On a comparable basis, net profits after taxes for the Group are increased by 24.7%. The investments in the Group?s fixed assets amounted to 17.8 million euros for the nine-month period of 2006 as compared to 13.6 million euros of the corresponding period of 2005, increased by 30.9%.
Company Profile
HERACLES G.C.Co. Group of Companies, a member of Lafarge, is Greece?s largest cement producer, with a production capacity of 9.6 million tons per year. It is also the largest cement exporter in Europe. Focused in Sustainable Development, it creates value for all its stakeholders contributing to the economy and to the local communities where it operates. With three cement plants - Volos plant (the largest in Europe), Halkis Plant, Milaki Plant - and seven terminals, the company has a production activity in 29 prefectures around Greece. The Group is also active in the aggregates sector and in the production and trading of concrete. Lafarge is the world leader in building materials, with top-ranking positions in all four of its businesses: Cement, Aggregates & Concrete, Roofing & Gypsum. With 80,000 employees in 76 countries, Lafarge posted sales of Euro 16 billion in 2005. To make advances in building materials, Lafarge places the customer at the heart of its concerns. It offers the construction industry and the general public innovative solutions bringing greater safety, comfort and quality to their everyday surroundings.