Bologna, 22nd April 2004 - Consolidated revenues were 131.5 million of Euro, a growth rate of 11.4% (118 million of Euro as at 31/12/2002), net profits were 7.18 million of Euro (+33,9% more than 5.36 million of Euro as at 31/12/2002). Dividend: 0.18 € per share, due to be paid from April 29th 2004.
The BoD authorised to make buy-back transactions to support the course of the shares and promote entrance of new public investors.
The number of Directors extended from 9 to 11, with the addition of two new directors.
Today, the Ordinary Shareholders' Meetings of Datalogic S.p.A. - the greatest European producer of barcode readers and portable data-collection and - transmission terminals, also specialising in radio-frequency identification systems (RFID) - adopted the balance-sheet as of December 31st 2003 and passed a resolution for the payment of a 0.18 Euro dividend on each ordinary share, with coupon to be detached on April 26th and payment to be made as from April 29th 2004.
2003 closed with consolidated net revenues of 131.5 million Euro (+11.4% higher than the 118 million as of 31/12/2002), EBITDA of 21.3 million Euro (+25,5% higher than the 16.97 million as of 31/12/2002), and EBIT of 11.03 million Euro which is 40.4% higher than the 7.86 million as of 31/12/2002.
Consolidated net profits amounted to 7.18 million Euro (+33,9% higher than the 5.36 million as of 31/12/2002). The net financial position as of December 31st 2003 was active by 39.55 million Euro, much better than the 33.42 million as of September 30th 2003.
In addition, the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers as auditors of the civil-law and consolidated balance-sheets was confirmed also for the period 2004-2006.
The meeting also appointed the company's board of auditors that will hold its office until the adoption of the balance-sheet as of December 31st 2006. The board of auditors is chaired by Stefano Romani and its members are Gianluca Cristofori and Roberto Feverati regular auditors, and Giorgio Delli and Patrizia Passerini as substitute auditors.
In addition, the meeting authorised the Board of Directors to make transactions for the sale and purchase of own shares.
More specifically, this authorisation was granted for the purchase and transfer of up to a maximum of 1,150,000 Datalogic S.p.A. ordinary shares - equal to 9.66% of the capital stock - for the period intervening between today and the date of call of the meeting for the adoption of the 2004 balance-sheet, i.e. 18 months.
According to the approved plan, the purchase price of each ordinary share will range between a face value of 5 and 18 Euro.
The Extraordinary meeting that amended article 15 of the company's bylaws increased the number of Directors that will hold their office until the adoption of the balance-sheet as of December 31st 2006. Romano Volta, Datalogic's President and founder, Roberto Tunioli, Vice-President and CEO of the Group, Pier Paolo Caruso, Giancarlo Micheletti, Alberto Forchielli, Umberto Paolucci, Elserino Piol, Gabriele Volta and Valentina Volta were confirmed as company's directors, while Angelo Manaresi and John O'Brien are the new directors.
