DGAP-News: RATIONAL AG / Key word(s): Quarter Results RATIONAL AG continues to grow successfully 06.05.2015 / 07:00 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Press release RATIONAL AG continues to grow successfully - 24 percent growth in sales in the first quarter of 2015 - 28 percent EBIT margin - Forecast confirmed Landsberg, 6 May 2015. RATIONAL AG posted consolidated sales of 124.7 million euros (previous year: 100.8 million euros) in the first quarter of 2015, thus successively continuing its growth trend of the past years. Sales rose by 24 percent year on year. Worldwide growth The growth drivers of business in the year to date included the domestic market Germany (+18 percent) and the rest of Europe (+12 percent), as well as the overseas regions. Sales in the Americas were 63 percent higher year on year and rose sharply in Latin America in particular. Asia also performed well compared to the previous year (+37 percent), with all regions contributing with positive sales trends. One reason for the strong percentage increase in sales in the first quarter of 2015 apart from the good business performance was also the somewhat weaker first quarter of 2014. Currency effects also had a positive impact on sales. In particular, the US dollar and pound sterling were stronger against the euro. Adjusted for the positive currency effect, sales growth stands at 19 percent. 28 percent EBIT margin in the first quarter of 2015 EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) reached 35.0 million euros, 69 percent above the previous year (20.7 million euros). The EBIT margin after three months was 28 percent (previous year: 21 percent). Translation effects on foreign currency positions resulted in a positive impact on EBIT. They led to a 5.8 million euro increase in EBIT for the first three months, after these effects had caused a 0.2 million euro reduction in the same quarter of the previous year. After exchange rate adjustments, EBIT was 4.8 million euros (+23 percent) up on the previous year, while the EBIT margin remained at 21 percent. Presentation of the "Global Excellence in Operations" award RATIONAL captured the "Global Excellence in Operations" award in the most traditional benchmark competition for the manufacturing industry in Germany. In particular, the jury was impressed by the company's focus on customer benefit, systematic implementation of lean management at Landsberg and its consistent process organisation. Forecast confirmed "Given our business performance to date, we can confirm our forecast of a continued positive sales and earnings performance for the fiscal year 2015", said Dr Stadelmann, CEO of RATIONAL AG. Contact person: RATIONAL Aktiengesellschaft Dr Peter Stadelmann Tel. +49 (0)8191 327-3309 Fax +49 (0)8191 327-272 E-mail: p.stadelmann@rational-online.com www.rational-online.com Editorial note: The RATIONAL Group is the global market and technology leader for thermal preparation of food in professional kitchens. The company, founded in 1973, employs more than 1,400 people, around 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 SDAX. 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> Q1 2015 Q1 2014 Percentage change Sales (m EUR) 124.7 100.8 +24 EBIT (m EUR) 35.0 20.7 +69 EBT (m EUR) 34.9 20.6 +69 EPS (EUR) 2.34 1.38 +70 </pre> --------------------------------------------------------------------- 06.05.2015 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 StraÃe 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: SDAX Listed: Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Munich, Stuttgart End of News DGAP News-Service --------------------------------------------------------------------- 353141 06.05.2015
DGAP-News: RATIONAL AG continues to grow successfully
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