Südostschweiz Medien with higher profit and lower sales in 2008
The 2008 fiscal year saw Südostschweiz Medien report a slight decline in revenue but an increase in profit. The media company generated revenue of 132.9 million Swiss francs. Earnings before depreciation, interest, and taxes rose to 7.2 million Swiss francs.
The 2008 financial year brought a slight fall in turnover for Südostschweiz Medien, but a higher profit. The media company achieved a turnover of 132.9 million Swiss francs in 2008 (previous year: 135.8 million). Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) rose to CHF 7.2 million (previous year: CHF 1.2 million). Sales in electronic media rose by CHF 1.3 million to CHF 11.3 million.
The Group advertising business (excluding Publicitas) benefited from the good start to 2008, with sales at Südostschweiz Publicitas AG, Obersee Nachrichten AG and Inserateservice Davos rising to CHF 36 million (previous year: CHF 32.8 million). The distribution companies for the distribution of printed materials and newspapers also achieved significant sales of CHF 9.5 million.
Newspaper printing is not included in the annual financial statements, with sales of around CHF 18 million. Südostschweiz Partner AG, which is responsible for newspaper printing, operates the printing center in Haag (SG). There are five partner companies of Südostschweiz, which are equal shareholders in this company. The number of employees at Südostschweiz Medien fell from 1,014 to 991.
According to publisher Hanspeter Lebrument, this result was achieved thanks to the Aqua Pur II cost and optimization programme. Sustainable improvements of around CHF 8 million were achieved. Sales, on the other hand, only fell by 2.8 million francs. "Aqua Pur II was designed in such a way that the programs were completed at the beginning of the crisis," Lebrument continues. "The Aqua Pur III program has been launched for 2009. On May 5, the journalistic director will inform journalists, managers and other interested parties about media convergence and the new media house at an internal conference."
The Group advertising business (excluding Publicitas) benefited from the good start to 2008, with sales at Südostschweiz Publicitas AG, Obersee Nachrichten AG and Inserateservice Davos rising to CHF 36 million (previous year: CHF 32.8 million). The distribution companies for the distribution of printed materials and newspapers also achieved significant sales of CHF 9.5 million.
Newspaper printing is not included in the annual financial statements, with sales of around CHF 18 million. Südostschweiz Partner AG, which is responsible for newspaper printing, operates the printing center in Haag (SG). There are five partner companies of Südostschweiz, which are equal shareholders in this company. The number of employees at Südostschweiz Medien fell from 1,014 to 991.
According to publisher Hanspeter Lebrument, this result was achieved thanks to the Aqua Pur II cost and optimization programme. Sustainable improvements of around CHF 8 million were achieved. Sales, on the other hand, only fell by 2.8 million francs. "Aqua Pur II was designed in such a way that the programs were completed at the beginning of the crisis," Lebrument continues. "The Aqua Pur III program has been launched for 2009. On May 5, the journalistic director will inform journalists, managers and other interested parties about media convergence and the new media house at an internal conference."
