DGAP-News: RATIONAL AG on growth path


DGAP-News: RATIONAL AG / Key word(s): Half Year Results
RATIONAL AG on growth path

30.07.2014 / 07:00

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Press release

RATIONAL AG on growth path 

  - Sales grow by 6 percent in the first six months

  - Europe remains on growth course

  - Forecast confirmed

Landsberg, 30 July 2014    Professional-kitchen specialist RATIONAL has
posted sales of 223.2 million euros, which represents a growth of 6 percent
in the first six months (2013: 210.8 million euros). "After the relatively
slow start to the year, we increased sales by 15 percent in the second
quarter. The good performance in the European market was especially
welcomed", says Dr Stadelmann, CEO of RATIONAL AG.

Europe remains on growth course

The established markets in Europe are continuing to perform well. The
measures started in 2013 to increase sales activities are showing their
effects. In Europe (excluding Germany) the company was able to grow sales
by 16 percent. In Germany growth stood at 8 percent. "This is thanks both
to the measures to boost sales in Europe and also to the performance of
FRIMA. The VarioCookingCenter MULTIFICIENCY(R) table-top unit launched in
January made a valuable contribution in this respect", states 
Dr Stadelmann. FRIMA experienced a very good first six months, with growth
of 23 percent.

Subdued overseas markets

Whereas regional ongoing business in the Americas and Asia is performing in
line with expectations, project business with major partners and chain
customers in these regions is down compared to last year. In addition,
negative currency effects impacted on performance in the first six months.
Sales in the Americas in the first six months were 32.2 million euros
(2013: 35.6 million euros) and in Asia 25.4 million euros (2013: 30.8
million euros). In the second quarter the "Rest of the world" region
experienced particularly strong growth of 52 percent. One reason for
this is a sizeable chain order.

25 percent EBIT margin

Operating costs rose in the first six months to 80.2 million euros (2013:
73.6 million euros). RATIONAL concentrated its investments here in the
fields of sales and marketing, along with research and development. As
regards to other operating income and expenses, the company achieved a
positive balance from the valuation of foreign currency receivables and
liabilities to the amount of 2.3 million euros.

In the first six months the company's EBIT (earnings before interest and
taxes) was up by 10 percent to 55.8 million euros (2013: 50.6 million
euros). The EBIT margin was 25 percent (2013: 24 percent).

RATIONAL keeps its promise to customers

With the launch of the SelfCookingCenter(R) 5 Senses this May, RATIONAL has
succeeded in decisively further improving the interplay between chef and
combi-steamer. Customers especially like the way the unit displays, what it
is currently doing, and why it adjusts settings, in order to achieve the
desired results. All owners of the predecessor SelfCookingCenter(R)
whitefficiency(R) model can obtain a free software update to share in the
latest developments in cooking research by RATIONAL. This is how the
company keeps its promise to offer the customers maximum benefit throughout
the life of the product.

Outlook confirmed

"Based on the positive forecasts for the performance of the global economy,
and in particular because of our world-class products, enthusiastic
customers, and current business trends, we can confirm our forecast for
continued positive sales and earnings development in fiscal year 2014",
says Dr Stadelmann.

Contact person:
RATIONAL Aktiengesellschaft
Dr Peter Stadelmann
Tel. +49 8191 327-3309
Fax +49 8191 327-272
E-mail: p.stadelmann@rational-online.com 
www.rational-online.com

Information for editors:

Rational is the world market and technology leader for the thermal
preparation of food in professional kitchens. The company, founded in 1973,
employs around 1,400 people, nearly 800 of whom are in Germany. Rational
was floated in the Prime Standard of the German stock market in 2000 and is
currently represented in the MDAX.

The company's principal objective is to offer maximum customer benefit at
all times. Internally RATIONAL is committed to the principle of
sustainability, which is expressed in its policies on environmental
protection, leadership, job security and social responsibility. Numerous
international awards bear witness to the high quality of RATIONAL's work
year on year.

<pre>

                             HY 2014       HY 2013       Percentage change
Sales (in million EUR)         223.2         210.8                      +6
EBIT  (in million EUR)          55.8          50.6                     +10
EBT   (in million EUR)          55.5          50.3                     +10
EPS   (in EUR)                  3.72          3.36                     +11


</pre>



---------------------------------------------------------------------

30.07.2014 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a
service of EQS Group AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements,
Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.
Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de

---------------------------------------------------------------------


Language:    English                                                
Company:     RATIONAL AG                                            
             Iglinger Straße 62                                     
             86899 Landsberg a. Lech                                
             Germany                                                
Phone:       0049 8191 327 2209                                     
Fax:         0049 8191 327 722209                                   
E-mail:      s.arnold@rational-online.com                           
Internet:    www.rational-online.com                                
ISIN:        DE0007010803                                           
WKN:         701080                                                 
Indices:     MDAX                                                   
Listed:      Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard);       
             Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, München, Stuttgart  
 
 
End of News    DGAP News-Service  
---------------------------------------------------------------------  
279770 30.07.2014