GERMANY (Notifix).- The first half year of 2013 for SURTECO SE  – one of the  world’s leading manufacturers of decorative surface finishes  – was defined by a difficult sector environment.

Sales of 199.2 million euros lagged 6 % behind the comparable year-earlier period (210.9 million euros). As a result of consistent cost management and a slight easing on the procurement side, earnings before interest, tax and depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) nevertheless underwent a slight increase at 26.6 million euros. The EBITDA margin increased from 12.6 % to 13.3 %. “SURTECO maintained its position well in a difficult environment. We have been able to report a stable result and improved margins for the half year,” was the conclusion of the Chairman of the Board of Management of SURTECO SE Friedhelm Päfgen.