2000 was one of the most difficult years ever for the entire sector, since the prices for crude oil tripled at times, resulting in price hikes for most of the raw materials. Nonetheless, the globally operating lubricants manufacturer FUCHS PETROLUB AG, Mannheim, Germany, succeeded in significantly upping both sales and earnings. Sales increased by 8.1 % (or € 68.0 mn) to reach € 902 mn (834), and the Group's after-tax profits rose by 8.3 % to € 18.5 mn (17.1), the best result ever in its history. Capital expenditures in tangible and intangible fixed assets, at € 32.5 mn, exceeded the previous year's level of € 30.0 mn. Worldwide staff rose by 1.6 % to reach 3,952 people. An increase in the cash dividend of 8.1 % and 7.1 % respectively to € 3.87 per ordinary share and € 4.38 per preference share will be proposed to the AGM.
Mannheim, 30 April 2001
FUCHS PETROLUB AG
Public Relations
Friesenheimer Str. 17
D-68169 Mannheim
Germany
Tel.: +49(0)6 21 - 38 02 - 104