OREANDA-NEWS. November 15, 2011. During the reporting period the Group increased production volumes and the financial indicators demonstrated improvement trends. In Q3, the sales revenue of the Group increased more than 17% to 13.0 million euros and during the 9 months by one fifth up to 33.6 million euros, reported the press-centre of Harju Elekter.

The sales revenue of the production segment increased by more than 18% up to 11.8 million euros in the reporting quarter and over 21% to 30.0 million euros within 9 months, traditionally amounting to the largest share – 89% (88%) of the sales revenue. The sale of miscellaneous electrical installations increased by 23% to 10.8 million euros in the Q3, accounting for 83% of the sales revenue of the reporting quarter, and increased by more than 23% to 27.2 million euros within 9 months, making up 81% of the sales revenue.

An increase in economic growth in the EU countries at the end of 2010, and at the beginning of this year, has resulted in improvement of the economic situation in the domestic markets of the Group. Sales have increased the most to the Finnish market – during the 9 months by one third up to 14.9 million euros and in Q3 more than 16% up to 5.6 million euros. At the same time, the sales of production companies of the Estonian and Lithuanian segments to the Finnish market increased also.

In the reporting quarter as well as during the 9 months, the sales of products and services to the Estonian market increased by 30% compared to the reference period, which was 39% and 38% of the total sales revenue respectively. Approximately 10% of the sales revenue was earned in the Lithuanian market. Sales in the Lithuanian market have increased by more than 60% up to 1.2 million euros in the reporting quarter and by almost 17% to 3.2 million euros in 9 months. Totally, in the Estonian, Lithuanian and Finnish markets were sold 91.8% (84.6%) of the Group’s products and services. 62% (65%) of Group products were sold outside of Estonia.

Expenses on staff in Q3 2011 were 2.7 million euros, increasing by 24.2% and in 9m 2011 7.7 million euros, increasing by 18.8%. In 2010, a costs savings regime was implemented at the Group, wages were frozen and employees worked temporarily on a part-time basis. Due to the increase in the volume of orders this year, new employees have been hired at Group companies and temporary employees were used in the third quarter; also wages and salaries were marginally adjusted.

In the reporting period, additional remuneration was paid to the employees under the current bonus system; a bonus reserve was also set up for payment of annual bonuses. In the reporting quarter, the average number of employees was 14 employees more than in the comparable period. In the reporting quarter, on the average 435 people worked in the Group; the average number of employees within 9 months was 424. As at the balance day on 30 September, there were 455 people working in the Group, which were 15 employees more than on the beginning of the year as well as a year before (440 employees). In the third quarter, employee wages and salaries totalled 2,0 million euros, which is one fifth higher than in the comparable quarter and they totalled 5,8 (9M 2010: 5,1) million euros in 9 months; and the average wages per employee per month have increased by 198 euros to 1,519 euros.

Operating profit of Q3 2011 was 806 (Q3 2010: 917) thousand euros and EBITDA was 1,145 (Q3 2010:1,254) thousand euros. Return of sales for the period was 6.2% (Q3 2010: 8.3%) and return of sales before depreciation was 8.8% (Q3 2010: 11.3%). Operating profit of the 9m 2011 was 1,506 thousand euros, which was 340 thousand euros more than comparing period and EBITDA was 2,543 thousand euros, growth 15.6%. Return of sales before depreciation in 9m was 7.6% (9m 2010: 7.9%) and return of sales for the period 4.5%, which was 0.3 per cent point better than a year before.

Overall, the consolidated net profit of the Q3 2011 was 996 (Q3 2010: 852) thousand euros, of which the share of the owners of the parent company was 945 (Q3 2010: 841) thousand euros. EPS in the Q3 was 0.06 (Q3 2010: 0.05) euros. During the first 9 months earnings per share were 0.13 (9m 2010: 0.12) euros. The consolidated net profit increased during nine months by 15.4% and was 2,324 thousand euros, of which the share of the owners of the parent company was 2,202 (9m 2010: 2,000) thousand euros.

During the 9 months the Group invested 1,801 thousand euros in real estate, 369 thousand euros in tangible fixed assets and 85 thousand euros in intangible fixed assets, totally 2,255 thousand euros. During the compared period the Group invested 286 in real estate, 2,082 in tangible fixed assets and 55 thousand euros in intangible fixed assets, totally 2,423 thousand euros.