Ringmetall AG

Earnings Release • Jan 23, 2008

News Details

Corporate | 23 January 2008 19:15

H.P.I. Holding AG:

H.P.I. Holding AG / Miscellaneous

Release of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory
AG.
The issuer / publisher is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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Positive development of H.P.I. subsidiaries in 2007 – Outlook 2008

+++ The subsidiaries Zimmer + Kreim and Berger Group exceed internal
expectations
+++ Zimmer + Kreim grows by more than 45 percent
+++ Berger Group grows by 10 percent
+++ Asset optimisation underscores positive outlook for H.P.I. Holding AG
in 2008

Munich, January 23, 2008: H.P.I. Holding AG (WKN (security identification
number): 600190; ISIN: DE0006001902) has released the preliminary
consolidated sales figures for its two wholly-owned subsidiaries for the
2007 fiscal year as well as the strategic outlook for 2008.

According to preliminary figures, the wholly-owned subsidiary Zimmer +
Kreim, a developer and manufacturer of eroding machines, handling systems,
and software solutions, was able to increase sales for the 2007 fiscal year
by over 45 percent to approx. € 15 million compared to the prior year. The
increase in sales reflects the company’s position as a global market leader
in its niche market – networking and automating eroding machines and
handling systems using software.

The second wholly-owned subsidiary of H.P.I. Holding AG, the Berger Group
which produces clamping rings and components used to seal all types of
barrels, also reported positive developments for the 2007 fiscal year. The
company’s 70% share of the European market was not just protected but
actually expanded. Preliminary figures show that sales for the 2007 fiscal
year grew by approximately 10 percent compared to the prior year, to a
total of more than € 34 million.

The Berger Group was able to increase sales in spite of intense competition
in the clamping ring market. The goal for 2008 is to maintain this trend
and to develop new markets by expanding the range of applications for the
product line.
Our second subsidiary Zimmer + Kreim experienced double-digit growth thanks
to the implementation of our internationalisation strategy – especially in
Asia. In 2007, we were able to convince global players such as SAMSUNG and
omni industries with our high-quality products. For the 2008 fiscal year,
we intend to continue implementing our internationalisation strategy and
expanding our customer base.

The Management Board of H.P.I. Holding AG is currently negotiating with
reputable interested parties about focussing assets. Due to an agreement to
maintain confidentiality, additional information cannot be released at this
time.

'Based on this foundation, I am approaching the 2008 fiscal year
optimistically,' says Jörg Rafael, CEO of H.P.I. Holding AG.

The final figures for the 2007 fiscal year and the business report are
expected to be published by the end of April.

The Management Board

About H.P.I. Holding AG:

H.P.I. Holding AG focuses on acquiring majority stakes in specialised SME
manufacturing companies. The holding invests in SME niche operators, which
have established a leading position in their respective market segment. The
value of these companies is to be increased by strategically developing
them in a long-term commitment and by introducing know-how in the fields of
controlling, cost management, investment, finance and expansion. Currently
H.P.I. Holding AG holds two major stakes. These include August Berger
Metallwarengabrik GmbH – a European market leader in the field of clamping
rings which are mainly used to seal barrels – and Zimmer & Kreim GmbH & Co.
KG – a developer and manufacturer of eroding machines, handling systems and
software solution for the tooling and injection-moulding industries. Zimmer
& Kreim is the technological world leader in the segment systems providers,
i.e. networking eroding machines and handling systems with software. H.P.I.
Holding AG is listed on the Open Market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

Company contact:

H.P.I Holding AG
Mannhardtstrasse 6
D-80538 München

Phone: +49 (0)89 - 45 220 980
Fax: +49 (0)89 - 45 220 9822
info@hpi-holding.de
www.hpi-holding.de

Investor relations contact:

GFEI Gesellschaft für Effekteninformationen mbH
Carl Bosch Haus
Hamburger Allee 26-28
60486 Frankfurt am Main

Phone: +49 (0)69 - 74 303 700
Fax: +49 (0)69 - 74 303 722
ir-hpi@gfei.de
www.gfei.de

23.01.2008 Financial News transmitted by DGAP

Language: English
Issuer: H.P.I. Holding AG
Mannhardtstr. 6
80538 München
Deutschland
Phone: 089 / 45 22 098 - 0
Fax: 089 / 45 22 098 - 22
E-mail: info@hpi-holding.de
Internet: www.hpiholding.de
ISIN: DE0006001902
WKN: 600190
Listed: Open Market in Frankfurt

End of News DGAP News-Service

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