At the end of the 3^rd quarter of its 2007/2008 financial year, the Group achieves a 12,4% year to date turnover growth (10% at constant perimeter), reaching 384,5 millions euros against 341,9 millions euros over the same period in the past financial year.

The turnover for this quarter reaches 128,4 millions euros, therefore growing by 15,6%¹ (10,2% at constant perimeter) against 2006/2007's 3^rd quarter, confirming the Group's solid performances in a tensed economical context.

Over the past 24 months, the Group has registered a growth in turnover of 28%
 

(in thousands of euros)	TO end of June 2008	TO end of June 2007	Q3 2008	Q3 2007	Q2 2008	Q2 2007	Q1 2008	Q1 2007
TO without contribution of acquired/transferred entities	372,527	338,984	121,449	110,164	127,777	117,129	123,301	111,691
Acquired entities contribution	10,907	0	6,912	0	3,909	0	86	0
Transferred entities contribution	1,016	2,932	0	868	0	1,058	1,016	1,006
Total Group turnover	384,450	341,916	128,361	111,032	131,686	118,187	124,403	112,697

 
¹ Growth rate reflects:
- favourable perimeter variance for 5,4% due to Rapid Racking acquisition, Manutan Russia set-up and BOTT sale ;
- unfavourable foreign exchange rates variance for 0,8%
  
From the standpoint of its operational Areas, the Group displays a relatively homogeneous landscape of growth. The West Area (excluding perimeter change) has regained a level of organisational stability that does not yet transpire in its results, while the North Area continues recording performances above the average of the Group. 

 

(in local currency)	First Quarter	Second Quarter	Third Quarter	Fourth Quarter	Financial Year3
North	+21.7 %	+ 25%	+ 30,6%		+25,9%
Centre	+11.0%	+ 10,2%	+ 9,8%		+10,3%
East	+ 17.4%	+ 7,4%	+13,5%		+12,9%
South	+13.2%	+ 8,7%	+10,4%		+10,8%
West	-15.5%	+ 35,2%	+ 71,9%		+31,2%
Others2	+20.3 %	+5,7%	+ 15,7%		+13,3%
Group Total	+10.4 %	11,4%	+ 15,6%		+12,4%

 
² Activities of holding companies and elimination of inter-areas turnover.
 
³ Growth rates reflect:
- For East Area, favourable perimeter variation for 2,6% ;
- For South Area, unfavourable perimeter variation for 1,3% ;
- For West Area, favourable perimeter variation for 32,4%;
- All in all, the Group's growth rate at constant perimeter (favourable impact for 2,5%) and change (unfavourable impact for 0,5%) reaches 10,4%.
 
 
The Group therefore confirms the good trend of its activity, as it continues to grow steadily on top of the growth records of the past financial years and despite the announced global economic slow down.
In that respect, the Group envisages the remaining of the financial year with prudence, without however questioning the guidance previously communicated.