regular as clockwork, page-2

Keep an eye on Adtrans (ADG). Excellent company and chart. Nice 5% yield and stable upward capital growth. Owned 20% by APE....AP Eagers.




23 August 2007
ANOTHER DIVIDEND INCREASE FOR ADTRANS SHAREHOLDERS
FOLLOWING RECORD 2006-2007 RESULTS
Leading Australian car and truck retailer, Adtrans Group Limited, today announced record revenue, profit and dividends for the 2006-2007 financial year.
Adtrans (ASX: “ADG”) – one of the largest car and truck retailers in Australia – lifted pre-tax profit to a record $12.7 million with net profit after tax rising 17.2% from $7.4 million to a record $8.7 million.
The latest profit improvement was achieved on record group revenue of $643.5 million in the year ended 30 June 2007.
The improved performance has brought yet another strong dividend increase for Adtrans shareholders who are receiving a lift in their fully franked final dividend from 13.5 cents to 14.5 cents per share.
This takes the Company’s fully franked annual dividend from 22 cents to a record 23.5 cents per share – the fifth increase in annual dividend since 18 cents per share was paid in 2000-2001.
The higher 14.5 cents per share final dividend will be paid on 7 November 2007 to Adtrans shareholders registered on 31 October 2007.
Record used car sales
Adtrans Chairman, Mr Graeme Bignell, said the record full year profit was achieved despite Ford’s reduced market share.
“Our all time record used vehicle performance offset any difficulties we had with any new vehicle franchises,” he said.
“Ford has recently announced measures to improve the overall Ford performance, including an all-new Falcon to be released around the first quarter 2008.
“Several new Ford Focus models are also set to be released this year, including a remarkably performing diesel with outstanding fuel economy, and a new innovation with an XR4 Fiesta. The Ranger light commercial launched late last year also continues to improve.
ADTRANS GROUP LIMITED
Adtrans Corporate Pty Ltd Adrian Brien Hyundai Graham Cornes Motors Pty Ltd Adtrans Australia Pty Ltd MELBOURNE
ADELAIDE Reynella Hyundai ADELAIDE Austrans Truck Centre
Adtrans Automotive Group Pty Ltd Stillwell Kia Cornes Toyota Melbourne International Truck Centre
ADELAIDE Adtrans Kia Cornes Toyota 4x4 Centre Whitehorse Truck and Bus
Stillwell Ford Adrian Brien Chrysler/Jeep Stillwell Trucks Pty Ltd SYDNEY Adtrans Truck Centre Pty Ltd MELBOURNE
Adrian Brien Ford Stillwell Trucks Regency Park Adtrans Trucks Pty Ltd SYDNEY Adtrans Truck Centre
Rebel Ford - Elizabeth Stillwell International Trucks The Truck Centre Whitehorse Trucks Pty Ltd MELBOURNE
Rebel Ford – Pooraka Adtrans Used Pty Ltd ADELAIDE Whitehorse Truck Centre
Stillwell Hyundai Graham Cornes Used Cars Australia Wide Spare Parts
Adtrans Used Cars
ADTRANS GROUP LIMITED
“Ford has also announced that it intends to manufacture a world class car from the Victorian operations, which will be part of the $1.8 billion that Ford has announced they are investing in Australia for the long-term.”
Excellent NSW, Victorian and SA truck results
Mr Bignell said that with Australian transport movements and national truck markets at all time record highs, excellent results were recorded by Adtrans Group’s six truck dealerships across New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
“With freight predicted to dramatically increase throughout the next decade, all of our truck dealerships are poised for even greater achievements,” he said.
“Record sales of used trucks also contributed to the record 2006-2007 results.
“Profit from the parts divisions of both Adtrans’ cars and trucks operations were again the biggest net contributor, with sales very consistent and sales trends constant with little fluctuation.
“Service, as always, underpins the vehicle sales departments.”
Mr Bignell said the Adtrans Board was confident of the future, the Group’s executives, total staff expertise and commitment and expected to record another good result in the current year.
“We will also be keenly looking for further opportunities in both cars and trucks,” he said.
Current vehicle franchises held by the Adtrans Group include: Cars: Ford, Toyota, Hyundai, Kia, Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge. Trucks: Sterling, UD, Iveco/International, Fuso, Freightliner and Mercedes-Benz.
The latest June half saw Adtrans enjoy the benefits for a full six month period of its new Medindie motor vehicle showroom in Adelaide. The Medindie outlet – one of Australia’s largest and most modern Ford vehicle sales and service complexes – was opened in November following an extensive rebuilding program.
During the period, the Group also acquired Australia Wide Transport Spares – a truck parts operation which was consolidated within the existing Whitehorse truck business in Victoria - and also purchased a Kia dealership at Clovelly Park in Adelaide.
FURTHER INFORMATION: Please contact
Graeme Bignell Shaun Swift
Chairman Managing Director
08-8373 1991 or 0408 866 999 08-8373 1991 or 0400 350 799