Corporate | 24 June 2011 11:15


GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft: GEA optimizes financing structure

GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft / Key word(s): Miscellaneous

24.06.2011 / 11:15

Düsseldorf, June 24, 2011 - GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft has optimized its
financing structure by further extending maturities, improving margins, and
adding greater flexibility to redemption options. This is the result of a
new loan agreement for over EUR 90 million signed with Kreditanstalt für
Wiederaufbau (KfW) and modifications to the EUR 650 million syndicated
credit line agreed in June 2010.

The modifications to the syndicated credit line include extending the
previously three-year tranche to the final maturity of the five-year
tranche (June 2015), in addition to significantly improved margins. This
modification of the credit documentation was implemented with the agreement
of all the existing syndicate banks.

The EUR 90 million loan from KfW is a co-financing of the existing December
2009 loan agreement with the European Investment Bank and will also be used
to finance research and development expenses. GEA and KfW agreed on a
five-year term for the loan, with annual redemption payments.

'After issuing the EUR 400 million corporate bond in April, we have
undertaken further steps to optimize our financing structure with the
modifications to the syndicated credit line and the newly signed KfW loan.
The positive reactions on the credit market confirm that GEA is in a
position to finance its growth at attractive conditions,' noted Dr. Helmut
Schmale, CFO of GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft.



GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft is one of the largest suppliers of process
technology and components for the food and energy industries. As an
international technology group, the Company focuses on sophisticated
production processes. In 2010, GEA generated consolidated revenues in
excess of EUR 4.4 billion, 70 percent of which came from the food and
energy sectors, which are long-term growth industries. The group employed
about 23,000 people worldwide as of March 31, 2011. GEA Group is a market
and technology leader in its business areas. It is listed in Germany's MDAX
stock index (G1A, WKN 660 200). In addition GEA Group has a sponsored level
I ADR program in the USA.

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Contact:
GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft
Phone +49 (0)211 9136 1492
Fax +49 (0)211 9136 31087
www.geagroup.com


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Language:    English                                                    
Company:     GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft                               
             Peter-Müller-Straße 12                                     
             40468 Düsseldorf                                           
             Deutschland                                                
Phone:       +49 (0)211 9136-0                                          
Fax:         +49 (0)211 9136-31087                                      
E-mail:      ir@geagroup.com                                            
Internet:    www.geagroup.com                                           
ISIN:        DE0006602006                                               
WKN:         660200                                                     
Listed:      Regulierter Markt in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt (Prime  
             Standard), Hamburg, München; Freiverkehr in Hannover,      
             Stuttgart                                                  
 
 
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