Atea reports positive first half-year 2003

8/14/2003 5:05 AM EST

Press Release - Stockholm, 14 August 2003

Atea, the Nordic region's leading one-stop supplier of IT products and
related services, reports positive results for the second quarter and
the first half-year 2003 in spite of the continued general decline of
the market. Turnover for the second quarter amounted to MSEK 1321 (MSEK
1929 in the second quarter 2002). The operating profit (EBITA) amounted
to MSEK 26,3 (MSEK 41), and the profit before tax was MSEK 16,7 (MSEK
30).

For the first six months of the year, turnover amounted to MSEK 2545
(MSEK 3479), the operating profit (EBITA) to MSEK 43,2 (MSEK 62), and
the profit before tax to MSEK 25,6 (MSEK 39).

- Our market was characterised in the second quarter by a sharp fall in
average prices as well as a significant decrease in Home-PC volumes in
Sweden, which we had predicted. In spite of these circumstances, we
nonetheless feel strong in having achieved positive results in line with
our goals and expectations, says Thomas Keifer, CEO of Atea.

The market for Home-PCs will witness substantially lower volumes this
year compared with the record year of 2002. According to industry
analyst IT Research, the Home-PC market declined by 62 percent in the
second quarter this year compared with the same quarter 2002. Atea
Sweden has however increased its market share from 18 to 25 percent.

- We predict that our market share within Home-PC will continue to
increase during the autumn. We can also perceive an increased interest
in our value chain services and our concept of offering a comprehensive
solution regarding the purchase and handling of IT products. A lot of
money can be saved by large companies and organisations, which an
increasing number of purchasing agents are now realising, says Thomas
Keifer.

During the second quarter, Atea initiated a considerable investment
programme in the IT security business sector, within the business area
Atea Security, which is judged to have good growth potential. One part
of this investment was the acquisition of the IT security company Atremo
at the end of June. Atremo possesses leading-edge expertise within IT
security, and is Sweden's most complete supplier of virus protection.

Atea is the leading Nordic company in sales, distribution and
integration of IT products and IT infrastructure. Atea's business
concept is to simplify and rationalise our customers´ management of IT-
products throughout the life cycle.

Atea group (Atea Holding AB) was legally founded 1 October 2001. Atea
has 660 employees in the Nordic region. Atea is owned by WM-data, the
international venture capital company 3i and the management in Atea. CEO
is Thomas Keifer. Ateas turnover 2002 was MSEK 6061.
www.atea.com

For further information, please contact:

Atea
Thomas Keifer, CEO
Tel: +46 (0)733-98 00 06
E-mail:  

Atea
Rolf Eriksson, CFO
Tel: +46 (0)733-98 55 01
E-mail:  

Atea
Johan Scherlin, Marketing and Information
Tel: +46 (0)733-98 43 10
E-mail: