Aalberts Industries trading update third quarter

In the third quarter, the activities of Aalberts Industries showed  a
limited upward  trend  and  an increased  order  position.  This  was
primarily thanks  to  the  limited  running down  of  stocks  by  its
clients, the introduction of  new products, additional sales  efforts
and  organisational  improvements.   Due  to   the  measures   taken,
efficiency has  been enhanced  and a  structural reduction  of  costs
achieved. Partly as  a consequence  of maintaining the  added value
margin, the results for the third quarter were in line with those  of
the second  quarter, despite  the holiday  period. In  addition,  the
focus continued to be on improving working capital.
 
Industrial Services
A slight increase in volume was visible in Industrial Services'  most
important markets, in part this was due to an increase in the  number
of repeat orders.  Industrial Services also  profited from the  trend
towards sound  and stable  suppliers. There  was an  increase in  the
number of orders in, amongst  others, the semiconductor industry  and
increased levels  of activity  at  clients. The  automotive  industry
showed a  slight  recovery  and, in  particular,  benefited  from  no
further reduction in stocks.  In the precision engineering  industry,
the level  of  activity remained  low,  while a  downward  trend  was
visible in the aerospace industry.
 
Flow Control
Flow  Control   strengthened   its  market   position   through   the
introduction of new products and systems, and by further accelerating
and intensifying cross-selling. In the  main, clients in this  sector
also stopped running  down their stocks.  Renovation and  maintenance
activities showed  growth, while  the  market for  new-build  private
housing remained challenging. Although the social house building  and
commercial  building  sectors  remained  stable,  various   countries
witnessed  a  movement  from   new-build  to  renovation.  A   slight
improvement was visible in the utilities market, supported in part by
government projects.
 
Outlook
Despite the  limited upward  trend, it  is not  possible to  give  an
outlook for the whole  of 2009. However,  when the economy  improves,
the extra sales efforts,  organisational improvements and  structural
reduction  of  costs  will  enable  Aalberts  Industries  to   emerge
strengthened from the current market situation.
 
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