EANS-Adhoc: BENE AG / In 2008/09 Bene again achieves record sales. Signs of the international financial crisis perceptible.

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annual report

14.05.2009

• Consolidated sales increased by 5.1% to EUR 265.3 million
• Solid balance sheet structure: Equity ratio reaches 46.8%
• Clearly positive operating cash flow

Vienna/Waidhofen an der Ybbs, May 14, 2008. After the big growth jump
in the business year 2007/08, the Vienna Prime Market listed Bene AG
(ISIN AT00000BENE6) again increased its sales in the past business
year (February 1, 2008 to January 31, 2009) by 5.1% to EUR 265.3
million and therewith further strengthened its position in almost all
markets.

With a considerable sales increase, the international specialist for
office and working environments again exceeded the record sales of
the business year 2007/08. As clear market leader in Austria Bene
improved sales in its home market by EUR 1.5 million or 2.0% to EUR
76.7 million. In an overall difficult economic environment, sales in
Germany reached EUR 70.5 million in the past business year (+7.5%).
Also the Bene Group could not escape the impacts of the financial
market crisis in the UK. It had to record a decline in sales by 38.0%
to EUR 21.5 million. The Russia segment showed a clearly better
performance and closed the business year 2008/09 with record sales of
EUR 39.8 million (plus 32.0%). In the past business year, the "other
markets" segment likewise considerably increased sales to EUR 56.8
million (plus 21.0%).

Against the background of the difficult economic conditions, which as
from the fourth quarter also showed their effects on Bene, the Bene
Group had to record a drop in the earnings figures. In the business
year 2008/09, earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) decreased by
EUR 3.8 million to EUR 11.4 million. The EBIT-margin reached 4.3%
(2007/08: 6.0%).

Bene still has a solid balance sheet structure. Despite major
investments, as of January 31, 2009, the balance sheet total of EUR
145.6 million only marginally exceeded the previous year´s reference
value. The equity ratio reached 46.8% (January 31, 2008: 48.7%). As
of January 31, 2009, the Group´s equity including minority interests
amounted to EUR 68.1 million (January 31, 2008: EUR 69.2 million).

On the balance sheet date, the Bene Group occupied 1,518 employees
worldwide. This corresponds to an increase of 88 employees or 6.2% in
comparison with the prior year.

Due to the worldwide lasting negative economic prospects, the
Management Board will propose to the shareholders´ meeting on June 3,
2009 not to pay any dividend for the reporting period in order to
further consolidate the Bene AG´s capital strength.

The expectations with regard to the business year 2009/10 are
essentially characterised by the worldwide economic crisis. Hence,
the Management Board´s focus lies on ensuring the liquidity as well
as on a stable financing resp. balance sheet structure. This also
serves to be able to successfully pursue the operating business and
the implementation of the strategy.

Note: Among others, this report contains statements on potential
future developments, which were made on the basis of currently
available information. Such statements, which reflect the current
assessment of future events by the Management Board, cannot be
construed as guarantees for future performance and bear unforeseeable
risks and uncertainties. There may be a variety of reasons for actual
results and conditions to diverge from the assumptions, on which the
statements were based.

The annual report 2008/09 is available under http://bene.com.

end of announcement euro adhoc
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ots Originaltext: BENE AG
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Further inquiry note:

Investor Relations

Gerald Strohmaier

Head of Finance & Investor Relations

A-3340 Waidhofen/Ybbs

Schwarzwiesenstraße 3

Tel. +43-7442-500-3372

Public Relations

Ursula Grabher

Head of Public Relations

A-1010 Wien

Renngasse 6

Tel. +43-1-534 26-1265

Branche: Furnishings & Furniture
ISIN: AT00000BENE6
WKN:
Index: ATX Prime
Börsen: Wien / official market