RATIONAL AG — Earnings Release 2006

Mar 22, 2007

News Details

Ad-hoc | 22 March 2007 10:13

Rational AG: 2006 business year sets new records

Rational AG / Final Results/Final Results

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RATIONAL AG: 2006 business year sets new records

Sales up 15% to 284 million euros
EBIT up 20% to 80 million euros
3.75 euros dividend proposed

Landsberg, March 22, 2007. For RATIONAL AG, the world market leader in the
field of cooking technology for professional kitchens, the business year
2006 was another year of records. While sales revenue rose by 15 percent or
37.3 million euros to 283.7 million euros (previous year 246.4 million
euros), earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) increased even more
sharply by 20 percent, or 13.6 million euros, to 80.5 million euros
(previous year: 66.9 million euros). Thanks to higher efficiency and a
further improvement in corporate processes, the EBIT-margin has attained a
new record level of 28.4 percent, compared with a figure of 27.2 percent
for the prior year.

Disproportional growth in America –
Sales record in Germany

Once again, the outstanding growth drivers in 2006 were RATIONAL’s own
sales companies, especially in America. The company further ramped up the
rate of growth in its largest key strategic market of the world and has
there since taken over as market leader, with a market share of over 30
percent.

Despite more than 30 years of successful market cultivation, even in the
home market Germany there is no sign of slowdown. With more than 5,800
appliances sold in 2006, Germany’s growth is double digit and remains the
company’s market with by far the strongest sales. At the same time, the
long-term German success story highlights the enormous sales potential for
RATIONAL technology in other countries of the world.

The world’s first SelfCooking Center®:
Customer satisfaction exceeds expectations

In a sample customer satisfaction survey conducted by renowned market
research institute TNS Infratest in Germany in 2006, a resounding vote of
confidence was given by SelfCooking Center®-owners: With 88 index points,
RATIONAL ranks in the top 10 percent of German companies from all sectors,
in terms of customer satisfaction and customer loyalty. The SelfCooking
Center® as an appliance even achieved a record level of 96 index points in
terms of customer satisfaction which, in the eyes of the customers,
reflects a four time higher benefit compared to traditional Combi-Steamers
offered for the same price.

Cash flow from operations went up by 50 %

At 49.1 million euros an excellent level of cash flow from operations was
achieved in 2006. Previous year’s value of 32.8 million euros could be
exceeded by 16.3 million euros or 50 percent. The increase was mainly
caused by the high growth in earnings and improvements in stock management.

Dividend of 3.75 euros per share proposed

RATIONAL shareholders benefit particularly from the company’s outstanding
earning situation by a high dividend payment. Since the IPO, dividend
payment rose 68 percent on average per year. For business year 2006, the
Managing Board and the Supervisory Board will be proposing a dividend of
3.75 euros per share to the Shareholders’ Meeting.

Positive expectations for 2007

With SelfCooking Center® and VarioCooking Center®, RATIONAL has a unique,
innovative technology platform at its disposal that is highly accepted by
the customers worldwide. Against this backdrop, the company expects sales
growth of 15 percent, to 325 million euros, coupled with a rise in EBIT
also of 15 percent, to 93 million euros in 2007.

Contact:

RATIONAL Aktiengesellschaft
Dr. Günter Blaschke
Tel. +49 (0)8191 327-364
Fax +49 (0)8191 327-272

e-Mail: g.blaschke@rational-online.de
www.rational-ag.com

Information for editors:

RATIONAL is the world market and technology leader for the thermal
preparation of food in professional kitchens. The company, founded in 1973,
employs more than 900 people, more than 500 of whom are in Germany. Since
the IPO in 2000 RATIONAL was floated in the Prime Standard on the German
stock market and is currently represented in the SDAX. The Price of
RATIONAL shares has duplicated several times since the IPO.

The company’s principal objective is to offer customers maximum benefit at
all times. Internally RATIONAL is committed to the principle of
sustainability, expressed in its policies on environmental protection,
leadership and social responsibility. Numerous international awards bear
witness year on year to the high level of RATIONAL’s work.

                                 2006              2005   Change in %

Sales (million of 283.7 246.4 15.1
euros)
EBIT (million of euros) 80.5 66.9 20.3
EBT (million of euros) 81.1 67.2 20.7
EPS (undiluted; in 4.55 3.73 22.0
euros)

DGAP 22.03.2007

Language: English
Issuer: Rational AG
Iglinger Straße 62
86899 Landsberg a. Lech Deutschland
Phone: +49 (0)8191 327-283
Fax: +49 (0)8191 327-533
E-mail: h.wiedemann@rational-online.de
www: www.rational-online.de
ISIN: DE0007010803
WKN: 701080
Indices: SDAX
Listed: Geregelter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr
in Berlin-Bremen, Düsseldorf, München, Stuttgart

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