Q4 2003 AptarGroup Earnings Conference Call - Final.

Original Source: FD (FAIR DISCLOSURE) WIRE

OPERATOR: Welcome to the AptarGroup's 2003 fourth quarter and year-end results conference call. [OPERATOR INSTRUCTIONS]

Introducing today's call is Mr. Ralph Poltermann, Vice President and Treasurer of AptarGroup. Sir, please go ahead.

RALPH POLTERMANN, VP AND TREASURER, APTARGROUP: Good morning everyone. Before we begin, I would like to point out that the discussion that follow includes some forward-looking comments and that actual results or outcomes could differ materially from those projected or contained in the forward-looking statements. To review important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or contained in the forward-looking statements, please refer to AptarGroup's SEC filings.

The information in this conference call is relevant on the date of this live call. Although the company will post replay of this conference call on its Web site as the service to those investors who are not able to listen today, the information contained in the replay will be dated and should be used for background information only. The company undertakes no obligation to update material changes in forward-looking information contained therein.

Our speakers for today are Mr. Carl Siebel, President and Chief Executive Officer of AptarGroup, and Mr.Steve Hagge, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. I would now like to turn the conference over to Mr. Siebel.

CARL SIEBEL, PRESIDENT AND CEO, APTARGROUP: Thank you very much Ralph. Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. This is Carl Siebel. I will briefly discuss the quarter and outlook before turning it over to Steve Hagge, who will provide more detailed information about our results.