Corporate | 8 November 2012 07:00

RATIONAL AG: Growth despite headwinds

RATIONAL AG / Key word(s): Quarter Results

08.11.2012 / 07:00

Press Release

RATIONAL AG: Growth despite headwinds

– 16 percent sales growth after nine months

– 31 percent rise in EBIT

– Brand champion in the professional kitchen

Landsberg, November 8, 2012. Following the favourable business trends in the first six months, RATIONAL was able to continue on its course for growth in the third quarter. 'A significant factor contributing to this is the SelfCookingCenter ^(R) whitefficiency ^(R) launched last September, which in the time of just one year has come to represent the new standard of performance in professional kitchens worldwide', explains the CEO of RATIONAL AG, Dr. Günter Blaschke.

16 percent sales growth
Sales rose by 16 percent in the first nine months, from 272.7 million euros to 317.4 million euros. Even after taking into consideration the exchange rate adjustments, the increase is 14 percent. All regions managed to contribute to this growth in sales. The Americas (+32 percent) and Asia (+30 percent), in particular, exhibited very dynamic rates of growth. Nonetheless, in Europe (excluding Germany) and the highly-developed German market, too, RATIONAL posted rises of 13 percent and 6 percent respectively.

31 percent rise in EBIT
Expenses for research and development and for sales and service, as well as general administration expenses, rose in the first nine months of 2012 by just 7 percent, from 95.1 million euros to 101.9 million euros, which is disproportionately low compared to sales figures.

Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) are 89.8 million euros (previous year 68.8 million euros), which is well above the previous year (+31 percent). The EBIT margin improved to 28 percent (previous year 25 percent). Earnings after taxes, likewise, rose by 31 percent compared to the previous year, from 52.2 million euros to 68.2 million euros.

Brand champion in the professional kitchen
The RATIONAL brand took first place in a survey conducted in Germany by management consultants Biesalski & Company of 165 chefs employed in restaurants and company catering. RATIONAL is regarded as the strongest brand in the professional kitchen, ahead even of well-known consumer brands, such as Maggi, Knorr and Langnese.

'We see this as a confirmation that from the customer's perspective as well we are becoming ever more successful in our aim of achieving our top corporate goal of offering customers the maximum possible benefit', says Dr. Blaschke in response to this accolade.

Forecast for 2012 confirmed
'Based on the positive business trends in the first nine months, but also with an eye to the prevailing economic uncertainties regarding further developments in the global economy, we confirm our forecast for fiscal year 2012 of around 10 percent growth in sales and we expect an overproportional rise in earnings', says Dr. Blaschke.

Contact:
RATIONAL Aktiengesellschaft
Dr. Günter Blaschke
Tel. +49 (0)8191) 327-364
Fax +49 (0)8191) 327-272
E-Mail: g.blaschke@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 over 1,200 people, of which more than 700 are in Germany. Since the IPO in 2000 RATIONAL was floated in the Prime Standard on the German stock market and is currently listed on the MDAX.

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

	Q3 2012	Q3 2011	Change in %
Sales (in m EUR)	113.0	92.4	+22
EBIT (in m EUR)	36.2	23.2	+56
EBT (in m EUR)	36.1	23.3	+55
EPS (in EUR)	2.40	1.56	+54

	9M 2012	9M 2011	Change in %
Sales (in m EUR)	317.4	272.7	+16
EBIT (in m EUR)	89.8	68.8	+31
EBT (in m EUR)	89.7	69.1	+30
EPS (in EUR)	6.00	4.59	+31

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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

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191754  08.11.2012