On Monday, 28 February 2005 a press conference took place at Ericsson Nikola Tesla in which preliminary business results 2004 and outlook for 2005 were presented to the public.
The press conference was opened and conducted by Snježana Bahtijari, the Company Communication Director. Gordana Kovačević, the president of the company presented the business results of the Ericsson Group and emphasized that in 2004 Ericsson strengthened its position of leading global supplier of cutting edge communication systems, services and solutions. Regarding the results of Ericsson Nikola Tesla in 2004 she pointed out that the company had outstanding accomplishment in the year it celebrated its 55th anniversary. She assessed the year as excellent in terms of orders booked and sales and with solid net income before taxes. The president of the company pointed out the highlights in 2004, Carl Henric Svanberg, the president and CEO of Ericsson visiting Ericsson Nikola Tesla, the celebration of the 55th anniversary of the company and numerous awards and recognitions received in 2004. The business outlook for 2005 includes further adjustment to new market requirements and also new opportunities for business growth. Based on good business results the Supervisory Board of the company agreed with and approved of the recommendation by the Managing Director and forwarded to the General Assembly for consideration and decision-making a proposal for a payment of dividend to the amount of 18 HRK per share and on the redemption of share capital of the company to the amount of 100 HRK per share.
Maria Radtke, the Finance Director, presented the financial results of Ericsson Nikola Tesla and emphasized that all key business indicators were better than planned. Orders booked were up 45%, net sales up 11%, and net income before taxes was 20% higher. Cash flow is positive and it amounts to 141 MHRK. The business situation in major markets of Ericsson Nikola Tesla was presented by Josip Jakovac, Marketing and Sales Director for the markets of CIS countries, Jagoda Carić, Marketing and Sales Director for the markets of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, Alen Ludaš, Marketing and Sales Director for VIPnet and Si.mobil and Tihomir Šicel, Marketing and Sales Director for T-HT. Business contracted in CIS market in 2004 was worth 100 million UD dollars, and business growth was recorded in the markets of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, with orders booked up 42% and net sales up 12% compared with 2003. In Croatia good cooperation between Ericsson Nikola Tesla and VIPnet was continued within the strategic partnership in the introduction of new technologies (EDGE and UMTS). In this field sales results accomplished in 2004 were 30% better than planned. The traditionally good cooperation with T-HT featured a modernization of fixed network, introduction of new services and broadband access (ADSL).
Hrvoje Benčić, Director of Center for Customer Solutions and Sales Support presented their activities and plans. The Center accomplished well over the year, which resulted in extended responsibilities within the Ericsson Group. Siniša Krajnović, the Deputy Director of the Research and Development Center spoke about the higher business volume and new recruitments in the Center.
The members of the management team of Ericsson Nikola Tesla answered the questions of the press. After the conference a cocktail party took place.
Communication Ericsson Nikola Tesla
