Mammut Sports Group, the sporting goods business of Conzzeta Group,...

Mammut Sports Group, the sporting goods business of Conzzeta Group, saw its sales increase by 15.5 percent to 129.2 million Swiss francs (€85.3m-$127.4m) in the four-month period from May 1 to Aug. 31. The consumer climate in Switzerland and Germany, key outdoor markets, remained strong despite the global economic downturn. Korea and Japan also performed well as Mammut increases its presence there. An overall stable outdoor market was enhanced by new Mammut stores in Zurich and Berlin. Overall, Conzzeta’s sales plunged by 38.3 percent to CHF 607.9 million (€401.4m-$599.3m) compared with the same period in 2008. Earnings before interest and taxes (Ebit) was negative CHF 27.9 million (€18.4m-$27.5m), compared with positive CHF 73.6 million (€48.7m-71.9m) last year, though this includes costs of CHF 26 million (€17.2m-$25.4m) for a program to adjust capacity in line with weakened market demand. Orders in Conzzeta’s machinery and systems engineering businesses remain low, so the company sees no recovery any time soon. The sporting goods division was the only one during this four-month period to show growth.