Bologna, 16th February 2005 - Datalogic SpA - a company listed in the TechStar segment (high-growth companies with innovative business models or high-tech products/processes) of Milan's Nuovo Mercato and active in the design, production and distribution of barcode reader systems and RFID (radio frequency identification) systems - earned consolidated revenues for € 44,3 million in the fourth quarter of 2004, growing by 22% (vs € 36,3 million as at the corresponding period of the preceding year).
The group's consolidation structure has changed with respect to last year and now includes Laservall, a recent acquisition that has been consolidated since the third quarter of 2004.
Based on comparable consolidation, sales in the 4th quarter of 2004 (4Q04) in any case grew by +10% over 4Q03, leading to eight consecutive quarters of growth for Datalogic.
Profitability in the quarter showed clear improvement: EBITDA (calculated before depreciation & amortisation and provisions for employee severance indemnities and risks) rose to € 8.4 million (mn), growing by +43.3% vs. € 5.9 mn in 4Q03, whilst EBIT amounted to € 7.1 mn (vs. € 2.5 mn in 4Q03).
The net financial position as of 31st December 2004 was positive by € 45,2 million (€ 45,7 million as of 30th September 2004).
As regards full-year 2004 performance, Datalogic achieved revenues of € 148.2 mn (+12.7% vs. € 131.5 mn as at December 31st 2003), whilst EBITDA totalled € 27.7 mn (+30% YoY) and EBIT € 18.4 mn (+67.1% vs. € 11 mn at FY2003 year-end).
Based on like-for-like consolidation, revenue growth would have been +6%, whilst EBITDA and EBIT growth would have been +19.2% and +53.6% respectively.
"We are particularly pleased with the year's results" - stated Roberto Tunioli, Datalogic CEO - "because revenue and profitability growth was accompanied by continuous expansion of the company both in Italian and foreign markets and by a high level of R&D investment".
