Net sales in Germany for the first nine months of the fiscal year were down 3% on the figure posted for the same period a year ago. At €412 million (previous year: €425 million), they accounted for 24% (previous year: 27%) of total net sales for the Group. In the third quarter of the fiscal year, net sales in Germany stood at €145 million (previous year: €138 million), up 5% on the figure posted for the same period a year ago.

Net sales in Europe (excluding Germany) increased by 7% to €921 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2007/2008, compared with €864 million a year ago. At 53% (previous year: 54%), Europe generated the largest share of total net sales for the Group. In the third quarter of the fiscal year net sales in Europe (excluding Germany) rose by 2% to €289 million (previous year: €284 million).

Calculated on the basis of U.S. dollars, Asia/Pacific/Africa increased its net sales by 49% compared with the same period a year ago. When translated into euros, this is equivalent to a year-on-year increase of 31% to €261 million (previous year: €199 million). Asia/Pacific/Africa contributed a share of 15% to total net sales for the Group (previous year: 12%). At 30%, year-on-year growth in third-quarter net sales for Asia/Pacific/Africa was significant again. In this period, net sales rose to €79 million (previous year: €61 million).

Net sales in the Americas grew by 45% in U.S. dollar terms. In euro terms, this represents an increase of 26% to €144 million (previous year: €114 million). Thus, the Americas accounted for 8% of total net sales for the Group, up from 7% in the same period a year ago. In the third quarter of fiscal 2007/2008, net sales generated in the Americas were up 24% year on year to €42 million (previous year: €34 million).