Gerresheimer Reports Strong Earnings and Sales Growth

- Group Revenues in the Third Quarter Up By 9.5% to EUR 259.4m (Excluding Technical Plastic Systems)

- Marked Rise in Operating Margin (Adjusted EBITDA margin) From 17.3% to 20.5%

- Adjusted Earnings Per Share More Than Doubled From EUR 0.20 to EUR 0.52

- Net Financial Debt Reduced By EUR 74.1m

DUSSELDORF, Germany, Oct. 6 /CNW/ - Gerresheimer AG, one of the leading worldwide suppliers to the pharma and healthcare industry, is continuing its growth course in the financial year 2010. "Our business is developing well. We continue to focus on the field of pharma and healthcare. Doing so we are achieving solid and profitable growth," says Uwe Rohrhoff, CEO of Gerresheimer AG.

In the third quarter of 2010, Gerresheimer further strengthened its revenues. In the period from June to August 2010 the company increased its revenues (excluding the Technical Plastic Systems business which has been sold) by 9.5% to EUR 259.4m (prior year EUR 236.9m). At constant exchange rates, revenues grew by 5.8% in the third quarter. In the first three quarters, Gerresheimer achieved revenue growth of 4.4% at constant exchange rates to EUR 753.0m (prior year excluding Technical Plastic Systems: EUR 714.9m). The main growth generators in the pharma business were insulin pens, asthma inhalers and prefillable syringes. Additionally, a resurgence of demand for cosmetics packaging and economic recovery in the laboratory glassware segment had a positive impact on the business trend.

Gerresheimer also achieved a further rise in earnings. For the third quarter of the financial year the company reports operating earnings (Adjusted EBITDA) of EUR 53.3m, 28.1% up on the prior-year period (third quarter 2009 excluding Technical Plastic Systems: EUR 41.6m). In the third quarter of 2010 the operating margin (Adjusted EBITDA margin) improved by 3.2 percentage points in comparison with the prior year to 20.5% (first three quarters 2010: 19.6%). Adjusted earnings per share improved substantially from EUR 0.20 to EUR 0.52. As a result of the positive business trend, Gerresheimer was able to reduce net financial debt by EUR 74.1m to EUR 356.6m (prior year: EUR 430.7m)

"The combination of organically generated growth and targeted acquisitions forms the foundation for the further successful development of our company. We concentrate on profitable markets and continuously expand our position as a market leader globally. Our presence in the emerging markets is therefore more important than ever," says Rohrhoff.

Outlook

For the current financial year 2010, Gerresheimer continues to expect revenue growth of 3% to 4% at constant exchange rates, excluding Technical Plastic Systems. This is equivalent to nominal sales growth of 5% to 6%. The company also stands by its forecast EBITDA margin of 19.5% to 20%.

In 2010 the company expects to invest a total of EUR 75-80m.

About Gerresheimer

Gerresheimer is an internationally leading manufacturer of high-quality specialty products made of glass and plastic for the global pharma & healthcare industry. Our wide product spectrum ranges from pharmaceutical vials to complex drug delivery systems, such as syringe systems, insulin pens and inhalers, for safe dosage and application. Together with our partners we develop solutions which set standards and have role-model status throughout their respective business sectors.

Our Group of companies achieves in Europe, North and South America and Asia sales of about EUR 1 billion and employs around 9,500 people. Through top-class technologies, convincing innovations and targeted investments we are systematically expanding our strong market position.

The full version of the interim report can be found under:

http://www.gerresheimer.com/en/investor-relations/reports.html

    
    Group Key Figures (IFRS; Financial Year end November 30)

    in EUR million                     Q3 2010 Q3 2009  change in %  FY 2009
    Revenues                             259.4   242.6      +6.9     1,000.2
    Group revenues excluding             259.4   236.9      +9.5       970.8
    Technical Plastics(1)                                 +5.8(5)
    Adjusted EBITDA(2)                    53.3    42.0     +26.9       185.9
    in % of revenues                      20.5    17.3                  18.6

    Adjusted EBITDA(2) excluding          53.3    41.6     +28.1       186.2
    Technical Plastics(1)
    in % of revenues                      20.5    17.6                  19.2
                                                         greater
    Profit from operations (EBIT)         26.3    12.9  than 100        60.5
                                                         greater
    Net income                            14.1    -4.0  than 100         7.0
                                                         greater
    Adjusted net income(3)                18.4     7.9  than 100        45.2
                                                         greater
    Earnings per share in EUR             0.41   -0.11  than 100        0.18
    Adjusted earnings per share(4)                       greater
     in EUR                               0.52    0.20  than 100        1.34
    Equity ratio in %                     37.7    34.7                  35.8
    Net Financial Debt                   356.6   430.7     -17.2       373.3
    Capital expenditure                   13.5    19.1     -29.3        86.4

    (1) The Technical Plastic Systems segment was sold with effect from July
        1, 2009.
    (2) Adjusted EBITDA: Earnings before income taxes, financial result,
        amortization of fair value adjustments, extraordinary depreciation,
        depreciation and amortization, restructuring expenses and one-off
        income and expenses.
    (3) Adjusted net income: Consolidated profit before non-cash amortization
        of fair value adjustments, special effects from restructuring
        expenses, extraordinary depreciation, the balance of one-off income
        and expenses (including significant non-cash expenses) and the
        related tax effects.
    (4) Adjusted net income after minorities divided by 31.4m shares.
    (5) Revenue growth rate at constant exchange rates.


    Group Key Figures (IFRS; Financial Year end November 30)

    in EUR million                       Q1-Q3   Q1-Q3  change in %  FY 2009
                                          2010    2009
    Revenues                             753.0   744.3      +1.2     1,000.2
    Group revenues excluding             753.0   714.9      +5.3       970.8
    Technical Plastics(1)                                 +4.4(5)
    Adjusted EBITDA(2)                   147.9   127.8     +15.7       185.9
    in % of revenues                      19.6    17.2                  18.6

    Adjusted EBITDA(2) excluding         147.9   128.1     +15.5       186.2
    Technical Plastics(1)
    in % of revenues                      19.6    17.9                  19.2
    Profit from operations (EBIT)         63.4    33.9     +87.0        60.5
                                                         greater
    Net income                            27.7    -4.2  than 100         7.0
    Adjusted net income(3)                43.6    28.6     +52.4        45.2
                                                         greater
    Earnings per share in EUR             0.85   -0.15  than 100        0.18
    Adjusted earnings per share(4)
     in EUR                               1.33    0.83     +60.2        1.34
    Equity ratio in %                     37.7    34.7                  35.8
    Net Financial Debt                   356.6   430.7     -17.2       373.3
    Capital expenditure                   43.0    50.3     -14.5        86.4

    (1) The Technical Plastic Systems segment was sold with effect from July
        1, 2009.
    (2) Adjusted EBITDA: Earnings before income taxes, financial result,
        amortization of fair value adjustments, extraordinary depreciation,
        depreciation and amortization, restructuring expenses and one-off
        income and expenses.
    (3) Adjusted net income: Consolidated profit before non-cash amortization
        of fair value adjustments, special effects from restructuring
        expenses, extraordinary depreciation, the balance of one-off income
        and expenses (including significant non-cash expenses) and the
        related tax effects.
    (4) Adjusted net income after minorities divided by 31.4m shares.
    (5) Revenue growth rate at constant exchange rates.
    

For further information: Media contact, Jens Kurten, Director Corporate Communication & Marketing, Telephone [phone], Telefax [phone], E-Mail [email protected]; Investor Relations contact, Anke Linnartz, Director Investor Relations, Telephone [phone], Telefax [phone], E-Mail [email protected]