Interflex with a clear profit increase

In 2008, Interflex exceeded the prior year's record result of a clear profit increase of 13.4 per cent to EUR 10.3 million. Product range sales increased to just under EUR 75 million. In the first three quarters, sales increased by 7 per cent due to the strong demand and sounder business activity. Economically, the weak fourth quarter prevented an even better result.

Stuttgart, 23 February 2009. The Interflex Datensysteme GmbH & Co. KG, Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies, closed the 2008 financial year (target date 31.12.) with a clear profit increase and enters the forecast 2009 crisis year in a good position. The operating results of the product segment improved to EUR 10.3 million and for the first time exceeded the 10-million-euro mark. This corresponds to an increase of 13.4 per cent compared with the previous year. Sales grew to a total of EUR 74.9 million, around EUR 1.5 million more than in 2007. The sales returns of normal business activity are thus around 13.7 per cent. The 2008 business trend can be grouped into two significant phases in which the development of sales reflects the deteriorating economic scenario: During the first nine months of 2008, Interflex enjoyed a strong sales increase of seven per cent. The distinct cyclical cooling during the fourth quarter affected the absolutely positive results development decidedly so that at the end of the year a mere 3.3 per cent sales growth was posted. The number of employees at 499 almost remained at the prior year's level. While several competitors according to their own information closed the previous business year with losses, Interflex further extended its market leadership with combined software and hardware solutions for security by means of biometry and workforce time management.

Profitable investments in the future

Technologically, the further development of the planned versions of the new Web-based software platform IF 6040 stood in the centre. In 2009, this development will stringently be continued. The consulting and solutions segment for industry-specific workforce management again increased profit and sales and with almost EUR 12 million in sales is one of Interflex's most important pillars. The sale of planning software SP-EXPERT contributed to this. Generally, this year Interflex increasingly will focus on consultation and service. For the year 2009, the Interflex management is forecasting state-of-the-art growth in spite of weak to sagging economic activity.

Extensive orders of renowned companies in the German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria and Switzerland), as well as in non-EU countries, which relied on the complete solutions of Interflex, are the driving force behind the growth. These include, for example, BASF, BAT British American Tobacco and the Hamburg Airport. Furthermore, the expansion with security solutions in the security segment and the expansion of consulting capacities and competencies contributed to the continuous growth within the workforce.

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