Meagre year for 3-E

The Austrian 3-E Handels- und Dienstleistungs AG completed the 2001 financial year with a turnover of € 485 mio, about € 60 mio of this achieved abroad. Sales were five per cent down when compared with the previous year. According to a statement from 3-E, the decline in the home DIY market, which is increasingly fiercely competitive, is minor and in tune with the general market trend. On 31 December 2001 the group had 208 Austrian member companies with 264 locations nationwide. Currently the 3-E Group’s member companies have a total of around 3 500 employees.