Corporate | 22 May 2012 15:30

Wacker Neuson SE: Shareholders approve healthy dividend

Wacker Neuson SE / Key word(s): Dividend/AGM/EGM

22.05.2012 / 15:30

Wacker Neuson SE:

Shareholders approve healthy dividend

Dividend tripled – authorized capital renewed – business remains strong

(Munich, May 22, 2012) Shareholders of Wacker Neuson SE approved a dividend payout in the amount of EUR 0.50 per share at today's AGM (previous year: EUR 0.17). Shareholders also approved an authorized capital proposal. The option of increasing the company's share capital by up to 25 percent gives the Executive Board headroom to capitalize on opportunities that would strengthen Wacker Neuson's market position.

Proposals put forward at the AGM approved with a clear majority
196 shareholders with a total of 59,992,814 voting rights were represented today at the Wacker Neuson SE annual general meeting (AGM) in Munich. Based on a share capital of 70.14 million shares, this corresponds to a 85.53 percent attendance. Shareholders approved a proposal by the Executive Board and the Supervisory Board to pay out around 41 percent of Group profit for 2011 as dividends for fiscal 2011. In total, the company will therefore be paying out EUR 35.07 million. This corresponds to a dividend per share of EUR 0.50, three times the amount paid out in the previous year (EUR 0.17). The resolution underscores Wacker Neuson's commitment to sharing its successful performance in 2011 with its shareholders. The company last paid out a dividend in this amount before the crisis in 2007.

At the AGM, CEO Cem Peksaglam presented an overview of fiscal 2011. He also outlined progress thus far in 2012 and detailed the company's future development framed by the current growth strategy roadmap. The information was well received by shareholders.

Cem Peksaglam also explained the benefits of creating authorized capital in the amount of 25 percent of existing share capital. This move enables the Executive Board, subject to the approval of the Supervisory Board, to issue up to 17,535,000 new shares within the next five years. Wacker Neuson SE faces stiff competition at both national and international level. The authorized capital will enable the company to potentially acquire suitable companies, in return possibly for shares in Wacker Neuson SE. It will also enable the company to issue new shares against cash contributions, thus providing it with an additional financing instrument independently of banking institutions. Shareholders approved this proposal, giving the company the option of strengthening its competitive position without impacting its finances or liquidity. The previous authorized capital expired in April 2012.

'The resolution aligns with the Group's strategy, giving us maximum flexibility on both the partnering and financial front. Although we do not currently have any concrete plans to avail of this authorized capital, it will give us the headroom to capitalize on opportunities that could improve our market position and competitiveness,' explains Cem Peksaglam. The Group has set itself ambitious growth targets through 2016. It intends to expand market share by increasing market penetration and sales capabilities, strengthen its innovative drive, and get even closer to its customers by expanding its international reach. Wacker Neuson has identified growth potential in its core markets of Europe and North America as well as in emerging markets, above all in South America, Eastern Europe and Asia. 'As economic cycles become ever shorter and individual markets and regions more volatile, we make sure to further internationalize our business to sustain continuous growth,' adds Peksaglam.

Shareholders also approved the appointment of Dr. Matthias Bruse, attorney-at-law and partner of the P+P Pöllath+Partners law firm based in Munich, to the Supervisory Board of Wacker Neuson SE. Dr. Bruse was initially judicially appointed to the Supervisory Board last year.

Further resolutions were subjected to Supervisory Board remuneration, the acquisition of treasury shares and the approval of a profit transfer agreement with an affiliate. Executive Board and Supervisory Board members' actions were also approved. The auditing company Ernst & Young, Stuttgart, was appointed as the official auditor to review the Annual and Consolidated Financial Statements for the fiscal year 2012.

Strong performance expected
Q1 2012 was a successful quarter for the Group. This is attributable to revenue increases in the compact and light equipment segments, fuelled in particular by growing signs of general economic recovery in North America and over all sustained, healthy demand in Europe. 'Excellent performance in 2011 has continued into the first quarter of 2012. Demand for light and compact equipment is rising, reflecting the increasing impact of our growth strategies and return on our investments. And of course the general economic climate is conducive at the moment,' states Peksaglam. 'We remain confident that we will meet our revenue target of around EUR 1.1 billion and achieve an EBITDA margin of 15 percent, despite continued uncertainty in the euro zone.' The Group also enjoys an exceptionally strong financial position, with an equity ratio (before minority interests) of around 70 percent and low net financial debt compared with industry peers. It expects business to remain strong throughout 2012 and beyond.

Voting results from the 2012 AGM:
Voting results and further information on the AGM are available online at:
http://corporate.wackerneuson.com/ir/en-agm.php

Your contact partner:

Wacker Neuson SE
Katrin Yvonne Neuffer
Head of Corporate Communication /
Investor Relations
Preussenstr. 41
80809 Munich, Germany
Tel: +49-(0)89-35402-173
katrin.neuffer@wackerneuson.com
www.wackerneuson.com

About Wacker Neuson
The Wacker Neuson Group is a leading manufacturer of light and compact equipment with over 40 affiliates and more than 140 sales and service stations across the globe. Manufacturing activities are distributed across three sites in Germany, one in Austria, a components manufacturing plant in Serbia, two sites in the US and one in the Philippines. Products manufactured by the company are branded Wacker Neuson. In Europe, the Group also distributes compact equipment under the brand names Kramer Allrad and Weidemann (agricultural machinery). With over 300 product categories and a global spare parts service, Wacker Neuson is the partner of choice among professional users in a wide range of industries including the construction, gardening, landscaping and agriculture sectors, as well as among municipal bodies and companies in the industrial, recycling and energy sectors.

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Language:	English
Company:	Wacker Neuson SE
	Preußenstr. 41
	80809 München
	Germany
Phone:	+49 – (0)89 – 354 02 – 0
Fax:	+49 – (0)89 – 354 02 – 390
E-mail:	info@wackerneuson.com
Internet:	www.wackerneuson.com
ISIN:	DE000WACK012
WKN:	WACK01
Indices:	SDAX
Listed:	Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München, Stuttgart

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170993  22.05.2012