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Berentzen-Gruppe AG

Quarterly Report Oct 24, 2023

56_10-q_2023-10-24_894f3e0d-d945-4d2e-8aef-9b34c7df9fc1.pdf

Quarterly Report

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Overview 9M/2023

Consolidated revenues grew by 5.9% compared to the same period of the previous year. Adjusted consolidated EBIT, adjusted consolidated EBITDA and operating cash flow all clearly positive, but each below the level of the previous year.

9M/2023 Consolidated revenues: EUR 134.6 million (EUR 127.1 million). Adjusted consolidated EBIT: EUR 5.0 million (EUR 6.8 million). Adjusted consolidated EBITDA: EUR 11.2 million (EUR 13.1 million). Operating cash flow: EUR 5.9 million (EUR 10.3 million). Equity ratio: 33.6% (37.3%). Outlook Group: Revenue and earnings forecasts for the 2023 financial year adjusted. Reduced expectations for consolidated revenues (EUR 182.0 to EUR 190.0 million instead of EUR 185.0 to EUR 195.0 million), consolidated EBIT (EUR 7.0 to EUR 8.0 million instead of EUR 7.0 to EUR 9.0 million) and consolidated EBITDA (EUR 15.3 to EUR 16.3 million instead

of EUR 15.6 to EUR 17.6 million).

(1) Business performance and economic position

(1.1) Significant events in the reporting period

Economic framework conditions

The past nine months of the 2023 financial year were characterised by increasing consumer restraint over time and persistent price-inflationary cost burdens. Against this backdrop, the economic situation in the Non-alcoholic Beverages segment and the cash-generating unit was unexpectedly challenging as at 30 September 2023. As a result, an impairment test had to be carried out for specific reasons. The persistently high level of interest rates was taken into account in the discount rate used - the weighted average cost of capital (WACC). According to the result of the impairment test, however, there was no impairment or reversal of impairment.

(1.2) Financial performance

01/01 to 01/01 to
09/30/2023 09/30/2022 Change
Total operating performance EUR´000 138,641 132,019 + 5.0 %
Consolidated revenues excluding alcohol tax EUR´000 134,582 127,103 + 5.9 %
Spirits segment EUR´000 80,375 73,090 + 10.0 %
Non-alcoholic Beverages segment EUR´000 34,705 35,230 - 1.5 %
Fresh Juice Systems segment EUR´000 14,608 13,905 + 5.1 %
Other segments EUR´000 4,893 4,878 + 0.3 %
Consolidated EBITDA EUR´000 11,182 13,052 - 14.3 %
Consolidated EBITDA margin % 8.1 9.9 - 1.8 PP 1)
Consolidated EBIT EUR´000 5,004 6,809 - 26.5 %
Consolidated EBIT margin (operating margin) % 3.6 5.2 - 1.6 PP 1)

1) PP = percentage points.

In the first nine months of the 2023 financial year, the Berentzen Group generated consolidated revenues of EUR 134.6 million ( EUR 127.1 million). Including changes in inventories of EUR 4.1 million (EUR 4.9 million), total operating performance came to EUR 138.6 million (EUR 132.0 million).

01/01 to 01/01 to
09/30/2023 09/30/2022 Change
EUR´000 EUR´000 EUR´000 %
11,561 11,025 + 536 + 4.9
6,372 5,213 + 1,159 + 22.2
442 472 - 30 - 6.4
18,375 16,710 + 1,665 + 10.0
8,328 7,512 + 816 + 10.9
- 1,569 - 1,675 + 106 + 6.3
25,134 22,547 + 2,587 + 11.5
3,952 4,903 - 951 - 19.4
16,467 17,196 - 729 - 4.2
36,077 29,823 + 6,254 + 21.0
- 1,005 - 1,150 + 145 + 12.6
55,491 50,772 + 4,719 + 9.3
- 250 - 229 - 21 - 9.2
80,375 73,090 + 7,285 + 10.0

Revenue performance in the individual segments

In the Spirits segment, revenues developed significantly positively compared to the interim reporting period of the previous year with an increase of 10.0%. This positive development is due to product and customer-specific increases in sales prices.

The Berentzen Group generated an increase of 11.5% with domestic branded spirits in the first nine months of the 2023 financial year. The revenues generated by the focus brands were 10.0% higher than in the same period of the previous year. The fruit liqueurs of the Berentzen brand - including the "Minis" format - and the vodka products of the Puschkin brand were particularly decisive for the revenue success. In the business with the other spirits brands, especially the socalled classic spirits (including Strothmann, Bommerlunder, etc.), significant sales growth of 10.9% was also recorded.

The spirits business with export and private-label brands showed growth of 9.3%. The individual product categories developed unevenly: while the volume of revenues with standard private-label brands recorded a significant increase of 21.0%, revenues in the business with premium/medium private-label brands fell by 4.2%. The latter development is almost entirely due to temporary availability bottlenecks in the bourbon whiskey business, which continues to be characterised by high market demand. The export business with branded spirits recorded a significant decline in revenues of 19.4% compared to the same period of the previous year. This was due to declines in demand, particularly in the BeNeLux and Chile markets and in the duty-free business.

01/01 to 01/01 to
09/30/2023 09/30/2022 Change
EUR´000 EUR´000 EUR´000 %
Mio Mio 16,055 12,935 + 3,120 + 24.1
Kräuterbraut 318 105 + 213 > + 100.0
Focus brands 16,373 13,040 + 3,333 + 25.6
Emsland / St. Ansgari 7,649 7,399 + 250 + 3.4
Märkisch / Grüneberger 6,129 6,201 - 72 - 1.2
Regional brands 13,778 13,600 + 178 + 1.3
Other brands 2,767 2,412 + 355 + 14.7
Branded business 32,918 29,052 + 3,866 + 13.3
Franchise business 4,745 9,052 - 4,307 - 47.6
Contract filling business 1,274 1,061 + 213 + 20.1
Other business 6,019 10,113 - 4,094 - 40.5
Customer sales budgets - 4,528 - 4,379 - 149 - 3.4
Other and internal revenues 296 444 - 148 - 33.3
Revenues in the Non-alcoholic Beverages segment 34,705 35,230 - 525 - 1.5

Non-alcoholic Beverages

In the Non-alcoholic Beverages segment, revenues from mineral water products and soft drinks fell slightly by 1.5% in the first nine months of the 2023 financial year. This was due to a significant decline in sales volumes. This was offset by increases in sales prices.

The branded business developed very positively, with revenue growth of 13.3%. Supported by significant sales volume growth and higher sales prices for the beverages marketed under the own Mio Mio brand, the business in the focus brands product category again showed a clearly positive development. Revenue growth amounted to 25.6%. In the product category regional brands (Emsland Quelle, Emsland Sonne, Märkisch Kristall, St. Ansgari and Grüneberg Quelle), revenues increased slightly compared to the same period last year (+ 1.3%). The franchise business recorded a decline in revenues of EUR 4.3 million. The business with branded beverages of the Sinalco Group was more or less stable compared to the same period of the previous year, whereas the dynamics of the cooperation projects with prominent artists declined massively in the third quarter of the 2023 financial year in line with the market development. As a result, the volume of revenues in this area fell by 73.4% from EUR 5.8 million to EUR 1.5 million. The revenues generated by contract filling orders increased significantly by 20.1%. This is due to the positive development in the filling business with a mineral water retail brand.

01/01 to
09/30/2023
01/01 to
09/30/2022
Change
EUR´000 EUR´000 EUR´000 %
Fruit juicers 4,035 4,695 - 660 - 14.1
Fruit 6,882 5,671 + 1,211 + 21.4
Bottling systems 4,008 3,742 + 266 + 7.1
Other and internal revenues - 317 - 203 - 114 - 56.2
Revenues in the Fresh Juice Systems segment 14,608 13,905 + 703 + 5.1

Fresh juice systems

The Fresh Juice Systems segment recorded revenue growth of 5.1% in the first nine months of the 2023 financial year. Revenues generated in connection with fruit juicers and their spare parts and service business fell by 14.1%. The main reason for this was the lower sales volumes in the German, Scandinavian, French and British markets. On the other hand, the development of revenues in Austria was encouraging. Fruit (oranges), on the other hand, recorded strong revenue growth of 21.4%, while revenues from bottling systems rose by 7.1%. The reason for this was the pleasing development in the core regions of Germany and Austria, which are served by the Group's own sales teams.

Other segments

01/01 to 01/01 to
09/30/2023 09/30/2022 Change
EUR´000 EUR´000 EUR´000 %
Spirits business of the Turkish Group company 4,273 4,143 + 130 + 3.1
Tourism, event and web shop business 829 755 + 74 + 9.8
Other and internal revenues - 209 - 20 - 189 > - 100.0
Revenues in the Other segment 4,893 4,878 + 15 + 0.3

The spirits business in the national market of Turkey, which is included in the Other segments, was able to build on the strong level of the prior-year period and further increase its revenues by 3.1%. The Berentzen Group's tourism, events and web shop business, which is also included in the Other segments and was temporarily affected by the coronavirus pandemic in the same period of the previous year, also showed a clearly positive revenue performance in the first nine months of the financial year with an increase of 9.8%.

Consolidated profit

Price increases across numerous product categories led to higher revenues and largely compensated for the increased procurement prices. However, an overall lower sales volume led to a reduction in the Group's gross profit by EUR 2.7 million. With an increase of EUR 0.7 million in operating expenses - characterised in particular by personnel expenses - and at the same time an increase of EUR 1.6 million in other operating income, the adjusted consolidated operating profit (consolidated EBIT) in the first nine months of the 2023 financial year fell by 26.5% year-on-year to EUR 5.0 million (EUR 6.8 million). With depreciation and amortisation expenses almost unchanged, the adjusted consolidated EBITDA based on the above-mentioned consolidated EBIT amounted to EUR 11.2 million (EUR 13.1 million).

(1.3) Cash flows and financial position

Cash flows

01/01 to 01/01 to
09/30/2023 09/30/2022 Change
EUR´000 EUR´000 EUR´000
Operating cash flow + 5,948 + 10,304 - 4,356
Cash flow from operating activities - 19,296 - 5,179 - 14,117
Cash flow from investing activities - 5,822 - 5,211 - 611
Cash flow from financing activities + 6,764 - 10,505 + 17,269
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period + 13,039 + 28,004 - 14,965
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period - 5,315 + 7,109 - 12,424

Compared to the total funding of the Berentzen Group presented in the Annual Report for the 2022 financial year, there was one notable deviation in the interim reporting period: In July 2023, the Berentzen Group exercised an option agreed in the syndicated loan agreement to increase the funding volume and, in the course of this, took out a further facility in the amount of EUR 9.9 million that matures on 31 December 2026.

The operating cash flow, which is based on the consolidated profit adjusted for non-cash expenses, fell to EUR 5.9 million (EUR 10.3 million) in the first nine months of the 2023 financial year. This was due to the lower net profit for the period, which is an important part of internal financing, as well as higher payments for income taxes.

In the first nine months of the 2023 business year, the cash flow from operating activities shows a net cash outflow of EUR 19.3 million (EUR 5.2 million). In contrast to the operating cash flow, it also includes cash movements in working capital, which led to a cash outflow of EUR 25.2 million (EUR 15.5 million). The change in trade working capital - i.e. the balance of cash movements in inventories, receivables including factoring, alcohol tax liabilities and trade payables resulted in a net cash outflow of EUR 19.7 million (EUR 19.6 million). This includes the negative effect of the seasonal reduction in alcohol tax liabilities, which always recurs during the year; it amounted to EUR 8.1 million (EUR 4.8 million) as of September 30, 2023.

The Group's investing activities - especially for investments in property, plant and equipment - led to a total cash outflow of EUR 5.8 million (EUR 5.2 million), again mainly for investments in empty containers and crates in the Nonalcoholic Beverages segment.

Financing activities resulted in a net cash inflow of EUR 6.8 million (net cash outflow of EUR 10.5 million). This is mainly due to the aforementioned payment from the increase option agreed in the syndicated loan agreement in the amount of EUR 9.9 million, whereas in the same period of the previous year the repayment of a loan call led to a cash outflow in the amount of EUR 7.5 million. In addition, the cash outflow resulted from the dividend payment of EUR 2.1 million (EUR 2.1 million) and the repayment of lease liabilities in accordance with IFRS 16 of EUR 1.0 million (EUR 0.9 million).

Overall, the cash and cash equivalents at the end of the interim reporting period were EUR -5.3 million (EUR 7.1 million). As at September 30, 2022, EUR 4.6 million of these funds were receivables from customer settlement accounts held with banks and used for the settlement of two factoring agreements. As at September 30, 2023, however, these amounted to almost EUR 0.0 million.

Financial position

09/30/2023 09/30/2022 Change
Equity ratio % 33.6 37.3 - 3.6 PP 1)
Dynamic gearing ratio Ratio 1.28 - 0.24 + 1.52

1) PP = percentage points.

At the end of the third quarter of 2023, the equity ratio was 33.6% (37.3%) below the level of the same quarter of the previous year. This development is based on a decrease in Shareholders' equity of EUR 4.0 million, which was offset by an increase in total assets of EUR 3.1 million. The increase in assets and liabilities is due, among other things, to the increase in the value of non-current assets - especially property, plant and equipment - totalling EUR 1.2 million as well as current assets totalling EUR 1.9 million.

Due to the resulting increase in net debt and a slight decline in consolidated EBITDA in the past 12 months, the dynamic gearing ratio increased to 1.28 (-0.24) compared to the same period of the previous year.

The key management indicators with regard to the Group's asset and capital structure as well as its ability to service its debt are changed as at September 30, 2023 compared to the corresponding reporting date of the previous year, in particular due to the price-inflation-related increase in net working capital, but are nevertheless solid.

(2) Events after the reporting date

No significant events occurred after the end of the reporting period that could have more than an insignificant influence on the future course of business and the development of the Berentzen Group's financial position and financial performance.

(3) Report on risks and opportunities

The material risks grouped into categories that could have a material adverse effect on the business activities and the financial performance, cash flows and financial position of the Group, the most significant opportunities and the structure of the risk management system are presented in the Berentzen Group's Annual Report for the 2022 financial year.

In the first nine months of the 2023 financial year, there have been no significant changes in the risks and opportunities of the Group's expected development in the remaining three months of the 2023 financial year compared to those described in the annual report for the 2022 financial year. This includes the overall assessment of risks and opportunities made there.

(4) Outlook

On October 16, 2023, the Berentzen Group published an ad hoc announcement on the preliminary figures for the third quarter of the 2023 financial year and updated the forecast for the development of the Financial performance in the course of this.

Forecast for the
2023 financial year
in 2022
Adjustments
during the
2023 financial
Forecast for the
financial year 2023
2022 forecast report year Q3/2023
EURm EURm EURm EURm
Consolidated revenues 174.2 185.0 to 195.0 unchanged 182.0 to 190.0
Consolidated EBIT 8.3 7.0 to 9.0 unchanged 7.0 to 8.0
Consolidated EBITDA 16.7 15.6 to 17.6 unchanged 15.3 to 16.3

Anticipated development of consolidated revenues and consolidated operating profit

The range for consolidated revenues for the 2023 financial year forecast in the 2022 Annual Report was reduced from previously EUR 185.0 to EUR 195.0 million to now EUR 182.0 to EUR 190.0 million. The reason for this was a decline in revenues and sales volume in the third quarter of the 2023 business year as a result of the current consumer restraint and the assessment based on this that a comprehensive recovery of consumer behaviour is not to be expected in the remaining months.

Due to the simultaneously persistently high cost burdens, the key earnings figures will also fall short of expectations. As a result, the Berentzen Group now expects an adjusted consolidated operating profit (consolidated EBIT) in the range of EUR 7.0 to 8.0 million. The adjusted consolidated operating profit before depreciation and amortisation (consolidated EBITDA) based on this is forecast to be in the range of EUR 15.3 million to EUR 16.3 million.

As a result of updating the forecast for the development of the financial performance, the following key figures were also adjusted.

Anticipated development of cash flows

Forecast for the
2023 financial year Adjustments during Forecast for the 2023
in 2022 the 2023 financial year
2022 forecast report financial year Q3/2023
EURm EURm EURm EURm
Operating cash flow 12.3 11.7 to 13.5 Q2: 10.1 to 11.8 9.2 to 10.2

Anticipated development of financial position

Forecast for the
2023 financial year Adjustments during Forecast for the 2023
in 2022 the 2023 financial year
2022 forecast report financial year Q3/2023
Equity ratio 34.2 % 32.2 % to 37.2 % unchanged 30.0 % to 33.0 %
Dynamic gearing ratio - 0.58 0.19 to 0.29 Q2: 0.48 to 0.58 0.55 to 0.65

Anticipated development of the segments

Forecast for the
2023 financial year Adjustments during Forecast for the 2023
in 2022 the 2023 financial year
2022 forecast report financial year Q3/2023
EURm EURm EURm EURm
Contribution margin after
marketing budgets
Segment
Spirits 31.3 32.0 to 35.4 unchanged unchanged
Non-alcoholic Beverages 22.9 24.9 to 27.5 Q2: 23.4 to 25.8 21.8 to 24.1
Fresh juice systems 6.2 6.3 to 7.0 unchanged unchanged
Other segments 4.4 3.1 to 3.4 Q2: 3.9 to 4.3 4.4 to 4.8

The forecasts are based on an essentially unchanged Group structure compared to the 2022 financial year and are also dependent on the general economic conditions and industry-specific environment. The risks and opportunities contained in the Annual Report for the 2022 financial year and described in the Report on risks and opportunities, as well as risks and opportunities that were not identifiable at the time this Interim Report was prepared, may also have an influence on the forecast.

Company information

Berentzen-Gruppe Aktiengesellschaft Corporate Communications & Investor Relations
Ritterstraße 7
49740 Haselünne T: +49 (0) 5961 502 220
Germany F: +49 (0) 5961 502 372
T: +49 (0) 5961 502 0 E: [email protected]
F: +49 (0) 5961 502 268 E: [email protected]
E: [email protected]
Internet: www.berentzen-gruppe.de/en

Publication date: October 24, 2023

Current 2023 financial calendar

November 27 to 29, 2023 Deutsches Eigenkapitalforum 2023

Last updated on October 24, 2023. The financial calendar is provided for information purposes only and will be regularly updated. It is subject to change.

Disclaimer

This report contains forward-looking statements that relate particularly to the future course of business and the future financial performance, as well as future events or developments affecting Berentzen-Gruppe Aktiengesellschaft and the Berentzen Group. These statements are based on management assumptions, estimates and expectations at the time of this report's publication regarding future company-related developments. They therefore carry risks and uncertainties which are named and explained, particularly (but not exclusively) as part of the management report within the risk and opportunities report and the forecast report. Events and results that actually occur thereafter may therefore significantly differ from the forward-looking statements, both positively and negatively. Many uncertainties and the resulting risks are due to circumstances that are outside the control or influence of Berentzen-Gruppe Aktiengesellschaft and cannot be assessed with certainty. These include, but are not limited to, changing market conditions and their economic development and effect, changes in financial markets and exchange rates, the behaviour of other market actors and competitors and legal changes or political decisions by regulatory and governmental authorities. Berentzen-Gruppe Aktiengesellschaft is not obliged, unless otherwise stipulated by law, to make any corrections or adjustments to the forward-looking statements owing to circumstances that occurred after the date of publication of this report. Berentzen-Gruppe Aktiengesellschaft shall not make any guarantee or accept any liability, either express or implied, for the currentness, accuracy or completeness of the forward-looking statements.

In addition to the financial results reported in the annual and consolidated financial statements and calculated in line with the relevant accounting frameworks, this report also contains financial results that are not or are not accurately defined in the relevant accounting frameworks and are or could be alternative key performance indicators. Alternative key performance indicators presented or reported by other companies using an identical or comparable description may be calculated in a different way.

Any trademarks and distinctive signs used within this report or protected by third parties are subject to the provisions of the relevant trademark law applicable as well as the rights of the registered owners. Berentzen-Gruppe Aktiengesellschaft shall retain the copyrights and reproduction rights for trademarks and other distinctive signs it has produced, unless otherwise explicitly agreed.

For information purposes, this report is also available in English. In the event of deviations, the German version shall be the sole definitive version and take precedence over the English version.

Berentzen-Gruppe Aktiengesellschaft Ritterstraße 7 49740 Haselünne Germany T: +49 (0) 5961 502 0 F: +49 (0) 5961 502 268 E: [email protected] Internet: www.berentzen-gruppe.de/en

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