VTG reports strong revenue and earnings growth
Preliminary figures published for the financial year 2007

Hamburg, March 4, 2008. VTG Aktiengesellschaft, one of the leading rail logistics companies in Europe (SCN: VTG999), today presented preliminary, unaudited figures for the financial year 2007. Group revenue climbed to EUR 541.4 million compared to the prior year this represented a gain of EUR 22.9 million or 4.4 percent. VTG’s improvement in operating earnings (EBITDA) was particularly significant increasing from EUR 112.9 million to EUR 137.0 million representing strong growth amounting to 21.3 percent. 

As commented by Dr. Heiko Fischer, chairman of the executive board of VTG AG, the company exceeded its increased forecast at the end of 2007: “The improvement in Group revenue is at the top end of the range targeted and operating earnings are even slightly higher than expected. Thus, in the year of its IPO, VTG was able to successfully pursue its targeted growth policy.”

VTG experienced continued growth in 2007. Supported by a favorable economic environment in Europe, as well as positive contracts in hand, the Wagon Hire Division generated revenue of EUR 260.5 million compared to the prior year amount of EUR 235.1 million, this represents an increase of 10.8 percent. With a share of 48.1 percent, this business division was also responsible for the largest contribution to Group revenue. The wagon fleet comprised 47,800 rail cars (prior year 47,400) as at 31 December 2007. The utilization rate at the year end increased to 93.9 percent (prior year 90.7 percent).

In the Rail Logistics Division, annual revenue was EUR 153.8 million compared to the prior year level of EUR 170.4 million. Reasons for this included the loss of one customer contract and the changeover in invoicing by another customer.

On the other hand, the Tank Container Logistics Division significantly increased its revenue by 12.4 percent from EUR 113.1 million to EUR 127.2 million.

Additionally, in all three business divisions, VTG managed to improve EBITDA by a double digit percentage.

In 2008 VTG Aktiengesellschaft expects stable business development with steady growth in revenue and earnings. “We continue to see good growth prospects for the current year. Rail transport contributes significantly to the provision of a basic infrastructure and, as a reliable and environmentally friendly means of transport, continues to be in strong demand even in an economic environment that is possibly cooling down”, adds Dr. Fischer.

Note to editorial staff:

VTG Aktiengesellschaft will present its complete annual financial statements for 2007 on 28 April 2008 as part of a press briefing on its annual results.

About VTG: 

VTG Aktiengesellschaft is one of Europe’s leading rail logistics and wagon hire companies. With about 48,000 rail freight cars, VTG has Europe’s largest private wagon fleet. In addition to the hiring of rail freight cars the Group offers comprehensive logistic services around rail transport and additionally operates in global tank container logistics. 

With the combination of its three interrelated business divisions Wagon Hire, Rail Logistics and Tank Container Logistics VTG offers its clients a high-performance platform for international transport of their freight. The Group has many years of experience and specific know-how in particular in the transport of liquid and sensitive goods. Its customers include numerous well-known companies from almost all industrial sectors such as, for example, the chemical, mineral oil, automobile or paper industries.

Via its subsidiaries and investments the company, which has its head office in Hamburg, is mainly present in Europe, Asia and North America. VTG has about 800 employees worldwide in consolidated companies. VTG AG has been listed on the official Prime Standard market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since June 2007.

Press contact:

Trade media
Simone Aulert
Head of communication and marketing
Telephone:        +49 (0) 40 2354 1343
Fax:                  +49 (0) 40 2354 1340
Email:               simone.aulert@vtg.com

Business and financial media
Bettina Fries
Telephone:        +49 (0) 211 430 79 70
Fax:                  +49 (0) 211 430 79 79
Email:               bfries@heringschuppener.com