Continuous strong performance for Atea

5/15/2002 4:41 AM EST

Pressrelease Stockholm, 2002-05-15


Atea, the leading supplier of IT-products and connected services in the
Nordic region, shows a strong result for the first quarter 2002, with a
turnover of 1550 MSEK and a operating profit (EBITA) of 21 MSEK.
Earnings after net financial items amounted to 9 MSEK. The business
sales volume has been slightly below target, but improved efficiency,
cost control and lower capital employed keep the result on an acceptable
level. Besides, the home-pc sales to large companies and organisations
has been continuously strong, especially in Sweden.

- This is a satisfactory result and a proof of strength on a market that
has continued to be characterized by a deep recession, downsizing and
postponed investments, says Thomas Keifer, CEO, Atea Group. He
continuous:

- Even if the market is shaky, we can see a number of positive signals
that are affecting us. There is a basic need for IT-investments in our
main target group, i.e. the 300 largest companys and organisations in
each Nordic county. We are well positioned to meet the increased demand
once it starts to take off. In general, we see a large demand on the
market for an independent advisor when it comes to investment in IT-
products and a large interest in our way of taking a holistic approach
in this area, the Atea Value Chain.

- We count on that the home-pc sales to large companies and
organisations will continue to develop strongly this year, in Sweden and
Norway but now also in Denmark. We also believe that our powerful focus
on business area server and storage will create many new business
opportunities during the year, says Thomas Keifer.



About Atea
Atea group (Atea Holding AB) was legally founded 1 October 2001. Atea
has 700 employees in the Nordic region. Since 1 October Atea is owned by
WM-data, the international venture capital company 3i and the management
in Atea. CEO is Thomas Keifer.

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

See also www.atea.com


For further information please contact:

Atea
Thomas Keifer, CEO
Tel: +46 733-98 00 06
E-post:  


Atea
Rolf Eriksson, CFO
Tel: +46 733-98 55 01
E-post:  

Atea
Johan Scherlin, Marketing and Information
Tel: +46 733-98 43 10
E-post: