Leifheit AG 2009: Leifheit further strengthens earning power

Leifheit AG / Development of Sales11.02.2010 08:02Dissemination of an Ad hoc announcement according to § 15 WpHG, transmitted byDGAP - a company of EquityStory AG.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.---------------------------------------------------------------------------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 furtherstrengthened its earning power despite the adverse global consumer mood.The company confirmed expectations for 2009 EBIT to significantly exceedEUR 6 million (2008: EUR 5.2 million). Process improvements and measures tooptimise organisation and working capital - specifically including asignificant decrease in inventory - were key factors in this result.The Leifheit Group reported turnover of EUR 272 million, almost matchingthe previous year's good showing (2008: EUR 280 million). Georg Thaller,Chairman of the Leifheit Board of Management: '2009 was a difficult yearfor the economy as a whole, but Leifheit met the crisis early on with arange of measures. We succeeded in countering the impact on earnings ofcrisis-related declines in turnover, particularly in Eastern Europe,through solid growth in the German-speaking area and more efficientorganisation.'The newly reorganised Household Products division generated turnover of EUR204 million, matching the previous year's performance (2008: EUR 204million). This contained for the first time the full-year turnover of theFrench laundry drier manufacturer Herby and the new steam iron systemssegment, 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 78million). Strong domestic business in the fourth quarter was the maindriver in at least partly offsetting the significant declines in the secondhalf in Eastern Europe and Spain. Decreases in foreign turnover werelargely 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 keyexport markets (Eastern Europe, Russia, France), turnover rose steadilyagain in the second half year, thanks to innovative marketing concepts forthe Spirella and Kleine Wolke brands. In Germany, Spirella boosted turnoverby 3 % to EUR 10 million. Even so, because of shortfalls and postponementsin the special offer business, the division's overall turnover in Germanywas 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 Productsdivision 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 categoriesand systematic expansion of foreign turnover; besides the eastern Europeancountries, our expansion will focus particularly on France, Spain andItaly.'In its golden jubilee year, the Leifheit Group has shown that it is wellplaced to handle even difficult times, with its strong brands and cleverproducts. 'Like its predecessor, 2010 will continue to pose a challenge tothe consumer goods industry. However, the crisis has also brought about ashift in consumer values - the trend now is towards more intelligentconsumption, with quality instead of quantity. For classic brands likeours, this shift offers great opportunities. We will accordingly stay trueto our motto 'Focus - Innovation - Speed' and focus on further honing ourbrand profiles and strengthening our core categories. Innovative productslike the ones we are presenting here at Ambiente are characteristic of andessential to our success. This is how Leifheit stays true to its slogan,'always an idea better',' explained Thaller at the opening of theInternational Frankfurt Fair Ambiente.At this year's fair, Leifheit is presenting over 50 innovations, togetherwith entirely new product ranges in its Leifheit, Soehnle, Dr. OetkerBackgeräte, Kleine Wolke and Spirella brands. In future, for example,Leifheit will cover the entire world of cleaning with a new full range ofcloths, sponges and gloves, and the ecofriendly 'EcoPerfect' cleaningappliances. Two attractive steam iron stations supplement the laundryrange, and the 'Perfect Roll' and mechanical kitchen machine 'Twist Cut'are Leifheit's contribution to the trend towards ideas for enjoyment in thekitchen. The Leifheit Group's high-end heating and massage products in thenew Soehnle 'Relax' comfort range are also benefiting from the growingwellness and health trend.Leifheit AG will publish its 2009 annual report on 14 April, 2010. Furtherinformation 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--------------------------------------------------------------------------- Language:     EnglishCompany:      Leifheit AG              Leifheitstraße              56377 Nassau              DeutschlandPhone:        02604 977-0Fax:          02604 977-340E-mail:       ir@leifheit.comInternet:     www.leifheit.comISIN:         DE0006464506WKN:          646450Listed:       Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr              in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hannover, München, Hamburg, Stuttgart End of News                                     DGAP News-Service ---------------------------------------------------------------------------