27 Sep, 2005
EWG top line growth more than doubles in second quarter

In the second quarter of 2005 the European Wholesale Group (EWG) increased consolidated net sales by 8 % – more than double the growth rate of the first quarter 2005 – to EUR 1’129 million (2004: EUR 1’046 million). Germany with more than 30% achieved again the highest growth rate of all EWG regions, followed by the Netherlands and the Nordics, while Switzerland remained slightly below last year’s figures. For the six months ending June 30, 2005, EWG recorded net revenues of EUR 2’216 million, up 6 % from last year’s period (2004: EUR 2’098 million). Together, the five partner companies employ a staff of 2’259 (2004: 2’121) and serve more than 50’000 resellers across Europe.

„We are extremely pleased with these results“, says Thomas C. Weissmann, President of EWG“. 8 % growth in value is clearly more than the markets have yielded in this quarter, meaning that EWG is winning share in Europe” he continued. “On top, we have expanded EWG’s presence in Europe through Copaco’s acquisition of DMax, a leading Belgian distributor. With this latest addition EWG now covers 12 European countries”, he says.

EWG was founded in 2002. It represents the leading vendors of IT hard- and software products and has been acknowledged first by HP as a Pan European Partner. During 2004 a European wide agreement was also signed with Fujitsu-Siemens Computers. The five partner companies in the alliance in 2004 posted consolidated net sales of EUR 4.4 billion, making EWG the third-largest distributor in Europe.

Further information:

EWG: Thomas C. Weissmann, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors ALSO Holding AG, Tel. +41 41 266 18 02

ALSO: Maya von Krannichfeldt, Head of Corporate Communications ALSO Holding AG, Tel. +41 41 266 18 022