euro adhoc: BENE AG
Financial Figures/Balance Sheet
Bene closes business
year 2007/08 with biggest growth jump in the Company´s history.
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Company Information
15.05.2008
Consolidated sales increased by 27.2 % to EUR 252.5 million EBIT improved by 16.2 % to EUR 15.2 million Dividend recommendation: EUR 0,22 per share Rise in operating cash flow to EUR 10.1 million
Vienna/Waidhofen an der Ybbs, May 15, 2008. The Vienna listed Bene AG (ISIN AT00000BENE6), international specialist in office and working environments, looks back on a fast growing business year 2007/08.
With a sales increase of 27.2 % to EUR 252.5 million, in the past business year, Bene achieved the biggest growth jump in the Company´s history. In Austria, Bene improved its sales by 10.2 % to EUR 75.2 million. In Germany, sales rose by 24.8 % to EUR 65.6 million. With a sales growth of 31.6 % to EUR 34.7 million, the UK segment further strengthened its market position. Within the Central and Eastern Europe region, the Russia segment with an increase in sales of 45.4 % to EUR 30.1 million proved to be the determining success factor. However, the Bene Group achieved the biggest growth in the "other markets" segment, where the business year closed with a rise in sales of 53.0 % to EUR 46.9 million.
The Group´s EBIT (earnings before interest and tax), which increased by 16.2 % to EUR 15.2 million improved similarly well as sales. Despite the major jump in sales, which in its dimension was a big challenge for the internal organisation, Bene reached a high EBIT-margin of 6.0 % (2006/07: 6.6 %) clearly exceeding the industry´s average. In line with the positive earnings development, compared to the last business year, the Bene Group improved earnings per share by 7.1 % to EUR 0.45.
As of January 31, 2008, the balance sheet reported an unchanged solid capital structure. The balance sheet total of EUR 142.0 million exceeded the previous year´s value by 1.3 percent (January 31, 2007: EUR 140.2 million). As of January 31, 2008, the Group´s equity including minority interests amounted to EUR 69.2 million (January 31, 2007: EUR 63.9 million).
In the business year under review, the operating cash flow improved to EUR 10.1 million and forms the sound basis for the further self-financed growth of the Group.
On the balance sheet date, the Bene Group occupied 1.430 employees worldwide, which corresponds to an increase of 6.4 % compared to the previous year.
As a result of the positive earnings development, the Management Board will propose a dividend of EUR 0.22 per share to the shareholders´ meeting. This is a payout ratio of 48.6 % or a yield of 3.8 % on the average price of the financial year 2007/08.
The Management of the Bene Group has again set ambitious targets for the business year 2008/09 and primarily strives for a solid growth through organic growth. Acquisitions in the sales area in order to expand and strengthen market accesses but also acquisitions of complementary products for the enlargement of the own production activities are possible and will be realised on appropriate occasions.
The Annual Report 2007/08 is available under http//:bene.com:
end of announcement euro adhoc
Further inquiry note:
Investor Relations
Gerald Strohmaier, MBA
Head of Finance & Investor Relations
BENE AG
A-3340 Waidhofen/Ybbs
Schwarzwiesenstraße 3
Phone +43-7442-500-3372
Fax +43-7442-500-993372
http://bene.com
Branche: Furnishings & Furniture
ISIN: AT00000BENE6
WKN:
Index: ATX Prime
Börsen: Wiener Börse AG / official market