Net sales in Germany for the first nine months of the current fiscal year rose by 17% to €484 million (previous year: €412 million), thus accounting for 28% (previous year: 24%) of total net sales. In the third quarter, net sales in Germany were up 3% on the same quarter in 2007/2008 at €149 million (previous year: €145 million).

At €805 million (previous year: €921 million), net sales in Europe (excluding Germany) showed a decline of 13% in the first three quarters, although this region was still responsible for the largest contribution to total group net sales at 47% (previous year: 53%). Net sales for the third quarter in Europe (excluding Germany) were down 21% at €228 million (previous year: 289 million).

Net sales in the Asia/Pacific/Africa region climbed 13% to €294 million (previous year: €261 million), boosting the region’s share of total Group net sales to 17% (previous year: 15%). However, in the third quarter of the current fiscal year, net sales in the Asia/Pacific/Africa region were down 5% at €75 million (previous year: €79 million). In U.S. dollar terms, net sales for the first three quarters showed a small decrease of 1%.

Over the first three quarters of the current fiscal year, the Americas delivered a modest increase of 1% in net sales to €146 million (previous year: 144 million), thus maintaining its 8% share of total Group net sales. Net sales in the third quarter rose 5% to €44 million (previous year: €42 million). Expressed in U.S. dollar terms, net sales in the Americas were down 12% in the first nine months of the current fiscal year.