DGAP-Adhoc: Ahlers reports strong revenue and earnings growth for H1 2013/14. Decision to continue the Gin Tonic brand while closing the Sindelfingen branch. The resulting restructuring expenses will weigh on the bottom line in 2013/14.

Ahlers AG  / Key word(s): Half Year Results/Change in Forecast

26.06.2014 12:42

Dissemination of an Ad hoc announcement according to § 15 WpHG, transmitted
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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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Ad-hoc announcement pursuant to section 15 WpHG

Ahlers AG, Herford

ISIN DE0005009708 and ISIN DE0005009732

Ahlers reports strong revenue and earnings growth for H1 2013/14. Decision
to continue the Gin Tonic brand while closing the Sindelfingen branch. The
resulting restructuring expenses will weigh on the bottom line in 2013/14.
Ahlers therefore expects consolidated net income for the current fiscal
year to be more or less on a par with the previous year (EUR 5.6 million).

Ahlers continued to grow strongly in the second quarter of 2013/14. As a
result, preliminary sales revenues for the first six months of 2013/14
increased by 7.6 percent to EUR 123,9 million (H1 2012/13: EUR 115.2
million). Due to the sales growth, preliminary EBIT before special effects
and the preliminary consolidated net income increased by 180 percent to EUR
3.1 million and by 70 percent to EUR 1.7 million, respectively. The final
figures will be published on July 15, 2014.

After the successful reorganisation, the Management Board of Ahlers AG
decided to continue Gin Tonic on a permanent basis. For this purpose, Gin
Tonic will move to Herford and the Sindelfingen branch will be closed with
effect from June 30, 2015. About 43 jobs will be cut in Sindelfingen, while
7 additional people will be employed in Herford.

The projections regarding Ahlers' operating revenues and results remain
unchanged and are supported by the good first-half figures. The Management
Board expects sales revenues in the full year 2013/14 to grow by 5 to 6
percent, while EBIT before special effects are projected to increase at a
clearly double-digit rate. The restructuring expenses incurred in
conjunction with the closure of the Gin Tonic Sindelfingen branch will keep
the consolidated net income for 2013/14 at about the prior year level
(2012/13 consolidated net income: EUR 5.6 million). So far, the Management
Board had projected net income of about EUR 7 million for the current year.
Starting FY 2014/15, the move will have a strong positive impact on Gin
Tonic's and the Group's result.

Herford, June 26, 2014

The Management Board

Ahlers AG
Elverdisser Str. 313
32052 Herford


26.06.2014 DGAP's Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements,
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Language:     English
Company:      Ahlers AG
              Elverdisser Straße 313
              32052 Herford
              Germany
Phone:        +49 (0)5221 979-0
Fax:          +49 (0)5221 70058
E-mail:       ahlers-ag@ahlers-ag.com
Internet:     www.ahlers-ag.com
ISIN:         DE0005009708, DE0005009732
WKN:          500970, 500973
Listed:       Regulierter Markt in Düsseldorf, Frankfurt (Prime Standard);
              Freiverkehr in Berlin, Hamburg, Stuttgart
 
End of Announcement                             DGAP News-Service
 
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