Ad-hoc | 25 March 2002 08:29

Rational AG english

RATIONAL Grows Two-Digit – One Euro Dividend Proposed Ad-hoc-announcement processed and transmitted by DGAP. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ——————————————————————————– Successful against the trend: RATIONAL Grows Two-Digit – One Euro Dividend Proposed Landsberg, 25 March 2002: The RATIONAL AG successfully countered the global recession in last year. Compared to financial year 2000, sales increased by ten percent from 153 million euros to 167 million euros. The world market share could be significantly expanded from 44 to 46 percent. The company therefore reconfirmed its position as the market leader for equipment for thermal food preparation. Simultaneously, the group profit increased by 19 percent from 17.5 to 20.8 million euros. The operative cash flow increased by 23 percent from 16.0 to 19.7 million euros. As in past years, the high gross return on sales of 19 percent was earned in 2001 again. “This success reconfirms the stable, organic growth dynamics of our company,” says Dr. Günter Blaschke, Chairman of the Management Board of RATIONAL AG. With the approval of the Annual General Meeting on 8 May 2002, a dividend of one euro per share will be paid to shareholders. The dividend will therefore increase by 54 percent compared to the previous year. Further growth announced: Only 18 percent of world market potential exploited RATIONAL technologies make a decisive contribution to the modernization of the production process in professional kitchens. More than 85 million meals are already prepared worldwide every day with the RATIONAL combination steamers. A total of about 2.5 million potential customers exist, of which only 18 percent already possess combination steamers. Large regional markets in Europe, America and Asia have only just been entered. “We are very optimistic about being able to continue on our successful course,” says Dr. Blaschke. “If the economic conditions improve again, we see 2002 as offering even better opportunities for increasing our sales and profits by a significant double-digit figure.” contact: RATIONAL Aktiengesellschaft Erich Baumgärtner Tel. (0 81 91) 32 74 20 Fax (0 81 91) 32 72 72 E-Mail: e.baumgaertner@rational-online.de end of ad-hoc-announcement (c)DGAP 25.03.2002 ——————————————————————————– WKN: 701 080; ISIN: DE0007010803; Index: SDax Listed: Geregelter Markt in Frankfurt (SMAX); Freiverkehr in Berlin, Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, München, Stuttgart 250829 Mär 02