Zurich, Switzerland-November 12, 2004-Jobwerx News-After nine months, Quadrant's results for the current year continue to be well ahead of the previous year's figures. A 17% rise in net sales to 359.6 million Swiss francs (vs. 306.1 million Swiss francs in the previous year) generated an 46% increase in Ebitda to 58.8 (vs. 40.3) million Swiss francs. This is equivalent to an Ebitda margin of 16.4% (vs. 13.2%). The strong cash flow from operations recorded in the previous year was also maintained with a figure of 30.7 (vs. 31.9) million Swiss francs, permitting a further significant reduction in net debt to 149 (vs. 192) million Swiss francs. Quadrant expects to post the best results in its history to date in 2004.

Both divisions contributed to the encouraging outcome at the nine-month stage. High-performance plastics operations are benefiting from the further normalization of overall market demand, which boosted sales in conjunction with market launches of new products and applications. Plastic composites / cable protection conduits operations also played their part, despite continued sluggishness in automotive sales, with innovative applications such as underfloor modules for BMW Series 6 and Series 1 models or with new SUV applications in the USA, thus compensating for applications which have reached the end of their life cycle.

Profit margins will temporarily narrow slightly in the fourth quarter due to the rising cost of raw materials, since higher prices can only be passed on with a time lag. However, a significant increase in sales and earnings can be expected for 2004 as a whole.

Quadrant wins SPE innovation award for the second year in succession
Quadrant Plastic Composites was again presented with the prestigious innovation award («Most Innovative Use of Plastics») by the Automotive Division of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) in the USA on November 10, 2004. This coveted award is presented annually by the SPE, the world's largest association of plastics engineers with 20 000 members. Quadrant received the award together with systems supplier Faurecia and GMT processors FPK and Nishikawa for the novel design of an instrument panel carrier for vehicle interiors. This hybrid application developed for Ford, Volvo and Mazda using GMT (Glass Mat Thermoplastics) and an integrated steel tube considerably simplifies manufacture of the component, thus shortening the production cycle and also setting new standards with regard to weight and noise reduction. Further features in its favour are improved crash properties and the fact that the material is fully recyclable. Ford is using the component in six different design versions in the cockpit of the Ford C-Max, Mazda3, Volvo S40 and Volvo V50 models.

The SPE innovation award has thus been presented to Quadrant for the second year in succession. Last year Quadrant won the award for the underfloor module of the BMW Series 5 model, which is manufactured using SymaLITE lightweight composite material. The same underfloor concept has since been implemented in other BMW models, and Quadrant has also received a European engineering award for this innovation. Arbeitsgemeinschaft Verstärkter Kunststoffe – Technische Vereinigung (AVK-TV: Reinforced Plastics Association - Technical Federation) recently presented Quadrant with its 2004 innovation award in the «Best Application of the Year» category.

SymaLITE is an intelligent composite light-weight material on the basis of polypropylene and specially orientated glass fibres whose weight, rigidity and shaping set new standards. During further-processing, SymaLITE, after heating, can be expanded to many times its original thickness. Densities of only 0.3 g/cm³ can be achieved. Partially compacted, i.e. light-weight, components with high rigidity and sound-proofing effect, can be produced by compression molding.

Quadrant, a Swiss-based public company with 1,300 employees and locations worldwide, is a global leader in high-performance polymer materials and thermoplastic composites which are superior in performance over metals and other materials.

Quadrant EPP (Engineering Plastic Products) - former Erta, Polypenco, Polymer, DSM EPP and Cestidur - is a global manufacturer/distributor of engineering plastics shapes and fluoroplastics for machining in the food processing and packaging, medical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemical, paper, textile, construction, material handling, electro & electronics, semiconductor and aerospace industries.

Quadrant Plastic Composites and its subsidiary Quadrant Natural Fiber Composites target markets are the automotive industry, the construction industry and parts of the electronics and electrical engineering sector.

Quadrant CMS (CREATIVE MOULDING AND SYSTEMS) is a 100% subsidiary of the Swiss Quadrant Holding. Injection Moulding is the core activity targeting the following markets : automotive, mechanical, electrical/electronic and medical devices.



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