Annual report for 2008
Introduction by the Chairman of the Board
Dear Shareholders and Business Partners,
The year 2008 was in all respects a year of profound change for AL INVEST Břidličná,
a.s. After several years, the period of growing demand, production and sales has ended.
It was a year of two different halves, and we regard the first one as quite positive.
In the second half of the year, the company, same as other businesses, had to face
unprecedented external pressures. The emerging European recession resulted in a
decrease in the volume of orders, primarily for rolled semi-products and foil materials,
including deliveries for the automotive industry.
The company’s production and sales functions failed to promptly respond to the
new conditions of the declining market, which had a negative impact on the company’s
bottom line.
It is chiefly due to the loss in profitability in the second half-year that we cannot view
the past year as successful. The resulting negative impact on performance and the
new market conditions necessitate a restructuring of the company. This task will be
carried out in 2009.
In spite of the adverse internal and external conditions, the company continued to
implement its investment plans. In addition to completed investments, in 2008 the
company commenced the financing of two-year investment programmes totalling
CZK 50m.
At the beginning of a new year the company’s management faces a difficult task,
namely to reverse the negative trend in the company’s operating result that started
in the second half of last year and is having an impact also in the year 2009.
I would like to thank the shareholders, business partners and employees of the company
for their cooperation in 2008.
Ing. Petr Otava, CSc.
Chairman of the Board of Directors