Against a less-than-easy macro-economic background, the globally active lubricant producer FUCHS PETROLUB AG in Mannheim, Germany, continued to operate successfully in the third quarter of 2001. Nine-month consolidated sales rose by 5.6 % over the preceding year's equivalent figure, to reach Euro 10.6 mSTART_OF_TAGBREND_OF_TAG(672.7). Operating profits and earnings before interest and tax (EBIT), at Euro 45.0 m and Euro 44.3 m respectively, were almost fully up to the previous year's level, the group's best year ever (Euro 45.3 m and Euro 45.0 m respectively).START_OF_TAGBREND_OF_TAGThe nine-month net income of Euro 12.5 m (14.9) was down on the preceding year's figure by 16.1 %, due to increased exceptional items and financing cost. This produces, after goodwill amortization of Euro 0.8 (0.7) per share, nine-month earnings per share of Euro 4.9 (5.8). The cash flow from current operating activities was significantly increased during the year's first nine months, to Euro 24.6 m (8.0). Capital expenditures in the first nine months of the year totaled Euro 20.9 m (20.8). The workforce on September 30, 2001 had risen toSTART_OF_TAGBREND_OF_TAG3,917 people (3,856).START_OF_TAGBREND_OF_TAGSTART_OF_TAGBREND_OF_TAGThe almost worldwide economic uncertainties render it particularly difficult at present to make business and profit forecasts. But consolidated sales in October 2001, at Euro 5,4 m (81.8), were significantly up on September's disappointing business volume of Euro 76.0 m (80.2). This gives the group confidence that itSTART_OF_TAGBREND_OF_TAGwill finish the full year 2001 with an overall record better than the average for the lubricant sector and many other industries as well.START_OF_TAGBREND_OF_TAGSTART_OF_TAGBREND_OF_TAGMannheim, November 30, 2001START_OF_TAGBREND_OF_TAGSTART_OF_TAGBREND_OF_TAGFUCHS PETROLUB AGSTART_OF_TAGBREND_OF_TAGPublic RelationsSTART_OF_TAGBREND_OF_TAGFriesenheimer Str. 17START_OF_TAGBREND_OF_TAGD-68169 MannheimSTART_OF_TAGBREND_OF_TAGTel.: +49(0)621/3802 104START_OF_TAGBREND_OF_TAGThe press release is also available on the Internet under http://www.fuchs-oil.de.START_OF_TAGBREND_OF_TAGSTART_OF_TAGBREND_OF_TAG