DGAP-News

After a successful year 2014, BRAAS MONIER with a strong focus on innovation and above-market growth against the backdrop of a more positive 2015 market environment - Seite 2

With its unique systems approach, Braas Monier has outgrown many of its key
markets in 2014. Lean organisational structures and an ongoing focus on
improving efficiencies across the whole organisation have enabled the Group
to increase its Operating EBITDA by almost one quarter despite only flat
revenues. 'We more than achieved our goal of increasing Operating EBITDA by
20% on the back of stable revenues. On the basis of our strong Cash Flow
generation of
EUR 89 million, we reduced net debt more rapidly than anticipated, even
when including the acquisition of Cobert on a pro-forma basis, which has
been financed with internal cash flow. Furthermore, we increased net income
by more than EUR 100 million and delivered a positive result of close to
EUR 40 million, equalling approximately EUR 1.02 per share . This operating
and financial performance enables Braas Monier to propose a substantial
dividend, which is the first in its history,' Pepyn Dinandt adds.

Through the Group-wide 'Top Line Growth' programme, the management is
confident that it will continue to realise profitable, above-market growth
in the coming years, based on strong customer focused sales and marketing
initiatives, value-adding services, the development of innovative products
and solutions, such as the recently launched 'WrapTec' and further
value-accretive bolt-on acquisitions. In addition, a multi-year programme
has been launched to systematically enhance the Group's internal processes,
including administrative, sales support, in-house logistics and production
processes. 'It is essential to look forward and systematically exploit
Braas Monier's capabilities to maximise the opportunities which inevitably
arise in this ever-changing and dynamic environment,' Pepyn Dinandt
emphasised the Group's on-going efforts to achieve above-market growth
complemented by a culture of strict cost management, continuous profit
improvement and a clear focus of increasing cash generation over time.

Full year revenues on last year's level
Industry experts' expectations for a wide-spread recovery of the European
building industry has not yet materialised. However, the UK, Braas Monier's
second largest market in terms of revenues, showed very strong growth in
2014, backed by governmental measures such as the 'Help to Buy scheme',
stimulating the Company's activities in the new build sector significantly.