Wienerberger AG

Wienerberger reports strong operating result for Q1 2016

Quarterly report according to article 87 section 6 BörseG

Wien (pta012/04.05.2016/07:30) - Operating performance confirms strategy - Consolidated revenues stable at Eur 611 million (Q1 2015: Eur 613 million) - Operating EBITDA significantly up by 18% to Eur 40 million (Q1 2015: Eur 34 million) - Target of Eur 405 million operating EBITDA confirmed for 2016

Wienerberger AG today published its results for the first quarter of 2016. From January to March, the Group generated stable consolidated revenues of Eur 611 million. Operating EBITDA increased significantly by 18% to Eur 40 million. These results are primarily due to a very positive development of the brick business, both in Europe and in North America. Commenting on this development, Heimo Scheuch, CEO of Wienerberger AG, says, "I am satisfied with the results of the first three months; they confirm our strategic focus on our three core areas of action: optimization, diversification and innovation. With our strong industrial base, we are operationally well positioned and on track for further growth."

Development of the operating segments in the first quarter of 2016 The Clay Building Materials Europe Division recorded a good start into the construction season in the first three months of the year, though with differences in performance observed between Eastern and Western Europe. Overall, Wienerberger was able to increase its clay block sales and strengthen its market position in a number of regions. The trend toward monolithic clay block walls without additional insulation for single- and two-family homes, observed in several of our core markets, had a positive impact. Roof tile sales were favored by mild weather conditions in large parts of Europe. A slight slowdown of activities in Great Britain and muted demand in Belgium made itself felt in our facing brick business. In combination with slightly higher prices, we were nevertheless able to increase the Division's revenues by 3% to Eur 342 million. Operating EBITDA improved significantly by 35% to Eur 30 million, a success attributable to our stringent cost management and the optimization measures introduced in prior years.

Pipes & Pavers Europe Division did not match previous year's performance The Pipes & Pavers Europe Division was not able to repeat the good results achieved in 2015. In our pipe business, this was mainly due to the negative impact of the low level of orders placed for infrastructure projects in Eastern Europe. While operating EBITDA improved in our plastic pipe businesses, a downward trend was reported for ceramic pipes. Our business in concrete pavers was affected by weather-related delays in project execution. Thus, the Division's revenues dropped by 9% to Eur 203 million in the first quarter. Operating EBITDA also declined slightly by 4% to Eur 14 million.