Gerresheimer achieves solid growth in core markets - outlook confirmed

Düsseldorf (ots) -

- cross reference: A pdf-document is available at
http://www.presseportal.de/dokumente abrufbar -

- Group sales in the first quarter of 2009 at prior year level;
sales up almost 3% in the core business despite difficult market
environment
- Adjusted EBITDA margin of 17.1% in the core business, continued
operating earnings strength
- CEO Dr. Axel Herberg: "Despite the difficult overall economic
environment we continue to aim for profitable sales growth of
around 6% to 7% in our core business for 2009."

In the first quarter of 2009 (December 2008 to February 2009)
Gerresheimer AG maintained its total sales figure of EUR 237.3m (Q1
2008: EUR 239.1m) almost at the prior year level despite the
difficult overall situation in the world economy. In the core
business, however, sales by the MDAX company actually rose by 2.8 %
to EUR 228.7m

The operating result (adjusted EBITDA) fell in comparison with the
prior year period from EUR 43.0m to EUR 38.3m. This is attributable
to a slightly negative result in the segment of Technical Plastics
and temporary capacity adjustments. The operating margin (adjusted
EBITDA margin) of Gerresheimer AG came to 16.1 % for this period (Q1
2008: 18.0%), although in the core business it reached a solid 17.1
%. Adjusted net income for the Group in the first quarter of 2009
totaled E6.4m (Q1 2008: EUR 9.9m).

Despite the difficult overall economic environment Gerresheimer
achieved profitable growth in its core markets in the first quarter.
It is advantageous that the global pharma markets continue to be
robust. "We still assume that we will achieve sales growth of 6% to
7% in the financial year 2009 with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 19.0%
to 19.2% in our core business," says Dr. Axel Herberg, CEO of
Gerresheimer AG.

Further growth in the core markets of pharma & life science

Sales by the core businesses increased again in the first quarter
of 2009. This development highlights the strategic importance of
Gerresheimer's focus on the markets of pharma & life science. In the
first quarter 2009, 78% of Gerresheimer's total sales were
attributable to this market segment. In contrast, sales for the
Technical Plastics business, which is up for sale, halved in the
first quarter to EUR 8.6m.

In the first quarter of 2009 some customers in the pharma & life
science industry reduced their inventories as expected. In addition,
demand for high-quality cosmetics was substantially lower. In
contrast, the Tubular Glass and Plastic Systems Divisions further
increased their sales in the months of December 2008 to February
2009. The business in RTF® syringe systems, inhalation devices and
insulin pens again experienced a high level of demand. Thanks to the
launch of the third RTF® syringe line and further investments in
expansion of production for drug delivery systems Gerresheimer will
generate further growth.

Gerresheimer consistently continues its growth strategy

Gerresheimer AG stands by its objective of further profitable
growth in the financial year 2009. Gerresheimer will continue in 2009
to invest extensively in new product lines and capacity expansion. We
are therefore fully on plan in implementing our growth strategy. As a
leading partner for companies in the pharma & life science industry,
Gerresheimer expects further increasing worldwide demand for safe and
user-friendly medical treatment.

About Gerresheimer

Gerresheimer employs 10,200 people in 42 locations in Europe,
America and Asia. In the financial year 2008, worldwide sales
totalled EUR 1.06bn. The product portfolio ranges from pharmaceutical
vials made of glass and plastic through to complex drug-delivery
systems for the pharma & life science industry. These include sterile
syringes, inhalers and other system-based approaches for safe dosage
and application of medications. The Group enjoys a leading position
in markets which are characterised by high technical and regulatory
barriers.

Originaltext: Gerresheimer AG
digital press kits: http://www.presseportal.de/pm/9072
press kits via RSS: http://www.presseportal.de/rss/pm_9072.rss2
ISIN: DE000A0LD6E6

Pressekontakt:
Contact Press
Burkhard Lingenberg
Director Corporate Communication & Marketing
Phone +49 211 6181-250
Fax +49 211 6181-241
e-mail b.lingenberg@gerresheimer.com

Contact Investor Relations
Anke Linnartz
Director Corporate Investor Relations
Phone +49 211 6181-314
Fax +49 211 6181-121
e-mail a.linnartz@gerresheimer.com