In the first quarter of fiscal 2008/2009, earnings before interest, taxes and amortization of product know-how (EBITA) grew by 8%, reaching €56 million in total (previous year: €52 million). The EBITA margin improved by 0.1 percentage points to 8.7% (previous year: 8.6%).

Profit for the first three months of the fiscal year rose to €35 million, which was up €3 million or 9% on last year’s quarterly figure of €32 million. First-quarter profit before carve-out charges grew by 9% to €37 million (previous year: €34 million).