Annual General Meeting of R. STAHL AG resolves constant dividend payment of EUR 1.00 per share

PRESSEINFORMATION / PRESS RELEASE

Annual General Meeting of R. STAHL AG resolves constant dividend payment of EUR 1.00 per share

Waldenburg, 23 May 2014 - The 21th Annual General Meeting of R. STAHL AG, held in Neuenstein, Germany, today, has resolved a dividend payment of EUR 1.00 per share for fiscal year 2013, thus a constant payout compared to the previous year. The total dividend amount of EUR 5.8 million represents a payout ratio of 63.7 % of the balance sheet profit of EUR 9.1 million. The remaining amount of EUR 3.3 million will be carried forward to the new account. All items on the meeting agenda met with the unequivocal approval of the shareholders present.

CEO Martin Schomaker commented: "In fiscal year 2013 we successfully raised our cash flow. Thus our ambitious programme "investment for growth" could be financed through the funds generated by our operating activities. At the same time, we have sufficient financial flexibility to share our success with the shareholders of the Company by ways of a sustained attractive payout ratio."

In 2013 R. STAHL increased revenues by 4.6 % to EUR 304.4 million (previous year EUR 290.9 million) and reached a new record level. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) were unchanged with EUR 24.9 million (EUR 24.9 million), net income for the year grew by 8.0% to EUR 15.4 million (EUR 14.3 million). As revenues and earnings were impacted by currency fluctuations, based on 2012 exchange rates, revenues for 2013 increased by 7.3%, with EBIT improving by 13.4% adjusted by currency effects.

"Since 2005, the contribution of systems business to overall revenues increased from one third to approximately one half. Combining own and bought in products with services, consulting and certification to complex systems solutions obviously provides added value to our customers. R. STAHL was pioneering the market of explosion protection with this approach, and today we are the no. 1 worldwide in the systems business," CFO Bernd Marx explained.

"Investment for growth" sets pre-conditions for future business expansion

During the general meeting, management reaffirmed to continue the expansion programme started in 2012, and hence to build the foundation for future growth. "Investment for growth" aims for an increased floor area of 19,000 sqm. In 2013 alone, EUR 24 Million have been invested for expansion of R&D and production space. "We have started numerous construction activities in order to expand capacities and raise efficiency of our production sites, as well as to secure our technological lead. Increased capacities will allow for a growth of 30 % to 35 % in revenues compared to the level of 2013", Mr. Schomaker explained. The company is aiming for sales to increase to EUR 380 million to EUR 390 million by 2016. This represents an average annual sales growth (CAGR 2013-2016) of 7.7 % to 8.6 %. In parallel to revenue growth, EBITDA margin is expected to be in a range between 15 % and 16 % and the EBIT margin is expected to lie within a range of 11 % to 12 % in a medium-term perspective.

About R. STAHL - www.stahl.de
R. STAHL is one of the world's leading suppliers of electrical and electronic products and systems for explosion protection. These products and systems prevent explosions in risk areas, and contribute to the safety of people, machines and the environment. The portfolio ranges from products used in switching/ distributing, installing, operating/monitoring, lighting and signalling/alarming, up to automation. Typical customers operate in growth industries, such as the oil & gas industry, the chemical and pharmaceutical industries and the food industry. In 2013, global revenues of EUR 304.4 million were generated with over 1,850 employees.

The shares of R. STAHL AG are traded on the Regulated Market/Prime Standard of Deutsche Boerse (ISIN DE000A1PHBB5).

For more information:
R. STAHL AG
Am Bahnhof 30, 74638 Waldenburg (Württ. )

Bernd Marx (CFO)
Phone: +49 7942 943-1271

Nathalie Dirian (Investor Relations)
Phone: +49 7942 943-1395

e-mail: [email protected]