First quarter results showed sales up 90% to 148m (€241) with EBIT at 4.6m compared to a loss of 2.6m the previous year.

Overall figures for 1999 showed profits up 26.4% to 31m on sales up 15.6% to 584m.

All business units operated in the black apart from the Karat joint venture, which produced a loss of 5m due to the delay in getting the 74 Karat into production. It is expected to break even in 2001.