SDL plc ("SDL" or "the Group"), the leading provider of Global Information Management solutions, today announces its unaudited preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2009

Operational highlights

-      A record year for sales and PBTA in a difficult economy

-      New customers include Continental Airlines, Shell, Ford Motor Company, the United Nations, and LG

-      Continued focus on technological innovation with increased R&D investment

-      2 new product launches

-      2 strategic acquisitions strengthen market positioning:

o   XyEnterprise in structured content management

o   Fredhopper  in online eCommerce

-      Strongly cash generative

-      Demand stabilisation in Q4 2009

-      Pipeline building and acceleration in cross-leveraging

Mark Lancaster, Chairman and Chief Executive of SDL, commented:

“I am delighted to report another year of record revenue and operating profit delivery by SDL, demonstrating the resilience of our business model in the difficult global economic conditions experienced in 2009.”

“2009 was an excellent year for SDL. We increased our investment in innovation through both increased investment in research and development, delivering two major product releases, together with two significant strategic acquisitions. The acquisition of XyEnterprise makes SDL a leader in structured content management and the acquisition of Fredhopper gave us a best of breed solution in online eCommerce.”

“We exit 2009 pleased that we have delivered in a difficult global economy and convinced that we have a suite of technologies and services that really is world class. Penetration of the web and globalisation of trade will continue to drive the needs of major corporations to engage with their customers effectively in multiple languages. Providing solutions that allow organisations to acquire new customers and increase the satisfaction and intimacy for existing customers is at the core of the SDL proposition to our clients. We now truly have end-to-end solutions based on an open scalable platform that is industry leading.”    

 “Given the excellent cash generation we anticipate paying our first dividend for the 2010 financial year. This will not alter the Board’s strategy of pursuing strong growth, but will provide a return to those investors that value income as well as growth.”  

“We believe the business is well positioned for future growth. We are very pleased with the results of active cross-leveraging of our business units as we see an increased demand from clients adopting multiple SDL solutions. Our net cash position of £46.2 million positions us well and gives considerable financial stability and flexibility.”