Leifheit AG 2009: Leifheit further strengthens earning power

Leifheit AG / Development of Sales

11.02.2010 08:02

Dissemination of an Ad hoc announcement according to § 15 WpHG, transmitted by
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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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2009: Leifheit further strengthens earning power
- Expectations for 2009 earnings stressed
- Ambiente: starting 2010 with new product ranges and over 50 innovations 

Frankfurt/Main, Nassau - 11 February 2010: In 2009 Leifheit further
strengthened its earning power despite the adverse global consumer mood.
The company confirmed expectations for 2009 EBIT to significantly exceed
EUR 6 million (2008: EUR 5.2 million). Process improvements and measures to
optimise organisation and working capital - specifically including a
significant decrease in inventory - were key factors in this result.
The Leifheit Group reported turnover of EUR 272 million, almost matching
the previous year's good showing (2008: EUR 280 million). Georg Thaller,
Chairman of the Leifheit Board of Management: '2009 was a difficult year
for the economy as a whole, but Leifheit met the crisis early on with a
range of measures. We succeeded in countering the impact on earnings of
crisis-related declines in turnover, particularly in Eastern Europe,
through solid growth in the German-speaking area and more efficient
organisation.'

The newly reorganised Household Products division generated turnover of EUR
204 million, matching the previous year's performance (2008: EUR 204
million). This contained for the first time the full-year turnover of the
French laundry drier manufacturer Herby and the new steam iron systems
segment, but no longer includes the ladders segment, which has been sold.
Turnover in the German home market rose 7 % to EUR 84 million (2008: EUR 78
million). Strong domestic business in the fourth quarter was the main
driver in at least partly offsetting the significant declines in the second
half in Eastern Europe and Spain. Decreases in foreign turnover were
largely due to the difficult economic environment.

There were also diverging trends in the Bathroom Furnishings division.
After significant decreases in the first half year, particularly in the key
export markets (Eastern Europe, Russia, France), turnover rose steadily
again in the second half year, thanks to innovative marketing concepts for
the Spirella and Kleine Wolke brands. In Germany, Spirella boosted turnover
by 3 % to EUR 10 million. Even so, because of shortfalls and postponements
in the special offer business, the division's overall turnover in Germany
was EUR 31 million, 5 % down on the previous year (EUR 33 million).
Overall, the net effect of these trends was a decrease in turnover of 10 %
to EUR 68 million (2008: EUR 76 million).

Georg Thaller, who has headed the Leifheit Group since November 2009,
presented the key strategic targets for 2010: 'The Household Products
division is aiming for a top market position in its core categories
(laundry, cleaning, kitchen and scales) in the major European countries.
This goal will be achieved through further concentration on core categories
and systematic expansion of foreign turnover; besides the eastern European
countries, our expansion will focus particularly on France, Spain and
Italy.'

In its golden jubilee year, the Leifheit Group has shown that it is well
placed to handle even difficult times, with its strong brands and clever
products. 'Like its predecessor, 2010 will continue to pose a challenge to
the consumer goods industry. However, the crisis has also brought about a
shift in consumer values - the trend now is towards more intelligent
consumption, with quality instead of quantity. For classic brands like
ours, this shift offers great opportunities. We will accordingly stay true
to our motto 'Focus - Innovation - Speed' and focus on further honing our
brand profiles and strengthening our core categories. Innovative products
like the ones we are presenting here at Ambiente are characteristic of and
essential to our success. This is how Leifheit stays true to its slogan,
'always an idea better',' explained Thaller at the opening of the
International Frankfurt Fair Ambiente.

At this year's fair, Leifheit is presenting over 50 innovations, together
with entirely new product ranges in its Leifheit, Soehnle, Dr. Oetker
Backgeräte, Kleine Wolke and Spirella brands. In future, for example,
Leifheit will cover the entire world of cleaning with a new full range of
cloths, sponges and gloves, and the ecofriendly 'EcoPerfect' cleaning
appliances. Two attractive steam iron stations supplement the laundry
range, and the 'Perfect Roll' and mechanical kitchen machine 'Twist Cut'
are Leifheit's contribution to the trend towards ideas for enjoyment in the
kitchen. The Leifheit Group's high-end heating and massage products in the
new Soehnle 'Relax' comfort range are also benefiting from the growing
wellness and health trend.

Leifheit AG will publish its 2009 annual report on 14 April, 2010. Further
information is available at www.leifheit.com.


11.02.2010 Ad hoc announcement, Financial News and Media Release distributed by DGAP.
Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de

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Language:     English
Company:      Leifheit AG
              Leifheitstraße
              56377 Nassau
              Deutschland
Phone:        02604 977-0
Fax:          02604 977-340
E-mail:       ir@leifheit.com
Internet:     www.leifheit.com
ISIN:         DE0006464506
WKN:          646450
Listed:       Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr
              in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hannover, München, Hamburg, Stuttgart
 
End of News                                     DGAP News-Service
 
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