• 22.04.2009, 21:26:29
  • /
  • OTE0013

EANS-Adhoc: Sartorius AG / Biotechnology Division grows and achieves significantly overproportionate profitability | Sharp slump in demand and negative earnings for the Mechatronics Division | Solid Group operating earnings | Comprehensive package of cost-cutting measures planned for the Mechatronics Division

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ad-hoc disclosure pursuant to section 15 of the WpHG transmitted by euro
adhoc with the aim of a Europe-wide distribution. The issuer is solely
responsible for the content of this announcement.
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22.04.2009

Consolidated first-quarter sales revenue is at 146.0 million euros (previous
year: 149.2 mn euros; -2.1%; currency-adjusted: -4.8%). The Biotechnology
Division increased its sales revenue 6.6% (currency-adjusted: +4.1%) from 90.6
million euros to 96.6 million euros. In particular, business with single-use
products for the biopharmaceutical industry fueled this gain at clearly
double-digit growth rates. As a result of the global recession, sales revenue
for the Mechatronics Division fell 15.6% (currency-adjusted: -18.6%) from 58.6
million euros to 49.5 million euros.

Earnings before interest, taxes and amortization (EBITA) for the Group were 10.0
million euros (12.2 mn euros). The Biotechnology Division contributed earnings
of 12.6 million euros (9.1 mn euros) and the Mechatronics Division -2.6 million
euros (3.1 mn euros) to consolidated EBITA. While the Biotechnology Division´s
EBITA margin rose from 10.0% to 13.0% as a result of economies of scale, an
enhanced product mix and more favorable exchange rates, the Mechatronics
Division contributed negative earnings at an EBITA margin of -5.2% (5.4%). At
the Group level, this resulted in a decrease in EBITA margin from 8.2% to 6.9%.
Net profit after minority interest excluding the two non-cash items of
amortization and interest for share price warrants is at 1.8 million euros (4.2
mn euros), which equates to earnings per share of 0.11 euro (0.25 euro).

In view of the negative earnings of the Mechatronics Division, the Executive
Board will be announcing a package of measures for cutting costs by more than 25
million euros on a lasting basis. The goal of these measures is to steer the
Mechatronics Division clearly back into the profit zone in 2010. One-time
expenses that will be incurred in this context are estimated at about 10-15
million euros.

Our planning for the Biotechnology Division projects sales revenue growth and an
overproportionate increase in earnings for 2009. For the Mechatronics Division,
we anticipate a double-digit decline in sales revenue and a negative earnings
contribution. We still consider it not possible to make a precise full-year
forecast.

Dr. Joachim Kreuzburg, CEO and Executive Board Chairman of Sartorius, will
discuss the results with analysts and investors on Thursday, April 23, 2009, at
4:30 p.m. Central European Time (CET) in a teleconference. You may dial into the
teleconference starting at 4:15 p.m. CET at the following numbers: Germany: +49
(0)69 2222 2245; France: +33 (0)1 70 99 42 77; U.K.: +44 (0)20 7138 0826; USA:
+1 212 444 0481. The dial-in code is 4627574.
To view the webcast and presentation, log onto www.sartorius.com.

Further inquiry note:
Andreas Wiederhold
Team Leader Treasury & Investor Relations
Telefon: +49 (0)551 308-1668
E-Mail: andreas.wiederhold@sartorius.com

end of announcement euro adhoc
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emitter: Sartorius AG
Weender Landstr. 94-108
D-37075 Göttingen
phone: +49 (0)551 308-0
FAX: +49 (0)551 308-3289
mail: info.investor@sartorius.com
WWW: http://www.sartorius.com
sector: Biotechnology
ISIN: DE0007165607, DE0007165631
indexes: CDAX, Prime All Share, Technologie All Share
stockmarkets: regulated dealing/prime standard: Börse Frankfurt, free trade:
Börse Berlin, Börse Hamburg, Börse Stuttgart, Börse Düsseldorf,
Börse Hannover, Börse München
language: English

OTS-ORIGINALTEXT PRESSEAUSSENDUNG UNTER AUSSCHLIESSLICHER INHALTLICHER VERANTWORTUNG DES AUSSENDERS - WWW.OTS.AT | OTB

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