AGM Statement
15 Abril 2003 - 8:07AM
UK Regulatory
RNS Number:0544K
Lavendon Group PLC
15 April 2003
For immediate release
15 April 2003
Lavendon Group plc
("Lavendon" or the "Company")
AGM STATEMENT
At the Company's Annual General Meeting held earlier today, David Price made the
following comments on current trading:-
"There is no substantial change to the market conditions we reported with the
announcement of the Group's 2002 preliminary results on 4 March 2003.
The Group has grown its revenues by 7% in what has always been its seasonally
quiet first quarter, against a general economic environment which has led to a
lack of business confidence across much of Europe.
In the UK, our largest market, demand levels have held steady, with an increase
in customer average spend levels, enabling revenues to show an increase of 3%
when compared to last year.
German activity levels remain subdued and while German industrial production
increased in January, it recovered less than half the ground lost in December.
Moreover, leading indices are still pointing to stagnant or falling output year
on year. Average customer spends are consequently lower than the corresponding
period last year and revenues for the year to date are down on last year. We
were, however, prepared for another tough year in Germany in 2003 and actions
were taken during the second half of 2002 to reduce the cost base of the
business and to redeploy fleet to markets with stronger short-terms prospects.
The Group's other operations in Austria, France, Spain and the Middle East are
showing strong year on year growth in revenues.
Against this rather mixed backdrop, the Group is, nonetheless, trading broadly
in line with our expectations and management priorities for 2003 remain focused
on achieving further efficiency improvements and maximising cash generation to
reduce debt levels. We remain cautious in respect of economic prospects
generally and, in particular, how quickly more positive economic sentiment may
return."
David Price
Chairman
For further information please contact:
Lavendon Group plc 01455 558 874
David Price, Executive Chairman
Alan Merrell, Finance Director
Weber Shandwick Square Mile 020 7067 0700
Peter Corbin
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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