Gerresheimer achieves sales target for 2009 / Profit margin better than expected

Dusseldorf (ots) -

- Cross reference: Press release including Group Key Figures is
available at http://www.presseportal.de/dokumente abrufbar -

- Sales on like-for-like basis almost at prior year level (-1.5
percent)
- Adjusted EBITDA margin of 19.2 percent (on like-for-like basis)
better than expected
- CEO Dr. Axel Herberg: "We have demonstrated our stability and
profitability in a difficult environment."
- Outlook for 2010: sales increase of 2 to 4 percent and Adjusted
EBITDA margin of mid 19 percent

In the economically challenging environment of the past year,
Gerresheimer AG has achieved its sales target and turned in a better
operating margin than expected.

Group sales in the past financial year (to the end of November)
reached EUR 1 billion. The pharma business, which now accounts for
around three quarters of Group sales, again ensured a slight growth
in sales in 2009. In contrast, the cyclical fields of cosmetics and
Life Science Research suffered a fall in sales. On a like-for-like
basis, i.e. excluding the Technical Plastics Systems business which
was sold as per July 1, 2009, sales were 1.5 percent down on the
prior year (forecast -1.5 to -2.5 percent).

The good operating margin (Adjusted EBITDA Margin), which at 19.2
percent exceeded the forecast of around 18.5 percent on a like-for-
like basis, was achieved through early realignment of production
capacity and cost reductions. Overall, however, there was a year-on-
year fall in the operating result (Adjusted EBITDA) at EUR 185.9m
(2008: EUR 206.4m). In contrast, net income rose substantially from
EUR 4.5m to EUR 7.0m because of reduced one-off expenses. As a
result, earnings per share increased from EUR 0.02 to EUR 0.18.

Gerresheimer further improved its finance structure over the past
financial year. The equity ratio is at the comfortable level of 35.8
percent (prior year 31.6 percent). Net financial debt was reduced by
EUR 48.3m to EUR 373.3m. Investment at the same time reached the high
level of EUR 86.4m.

Because of the decline in operating results and in order to
strengthen the financial base for future growth opportunities, the
Management Board and Supervisory Board recommends the Annual General
Meeting that no dividend for the financial year 2009 is paid.
Basically, however, Gerresheimer does intend to distribute attractive
dividends again in the future, depending on the success of business.

"Overall we have demonstrated our stability and profitability in a
difficult environment. We have successfully managed to create the
conditions for future growth through targeted investments in our
product portfolio and new plants throughout the world," says CEO Dr.
Axel Herberg.

Broader product portfolio and internationalization

Gerresheimer constantly widens its product portfolio and expands
into all the important strategic regions. In the financial year 2009
for example a third production line was completed for prefillable
syringes, production capacity was built up for two insulin pen
systems and investments were made in new products in the field of
diabetes diagnostics. Within the parameters of the continued
international orientation, three new locations were established in
three continents. In China a state-of-the-art plant was constructed
for pharmaceutical tubular glass. A new research and development
center for medical plastic systems was opened in the USA and a new
production center for pharmaceutical plastic packaging in Spain. In
Brazil, a new production facility for insulin pen systems is planned
for early 2010.

Outlook for 2010

The negative effects of the global financial and economic crisis
should gradually abate and a revival in demand is now likely.

While Gerresheimer again expects growth for the pharma market, the
outlook for cosmetics and Life Science Research is more difficult.
Against this background the Management Board expects for the current
financial year a sales increase of 2 to 4 percent (in relation to
adjusted sales excluding Technical Plastic Systems of EUR 970.8m) and
an improved operating margin (Adjusted EBITDA Margin) of around 19.5
percent. Investment will total around EUR 75m to 80m.

About Gerresheimer

Gerresheimer employs around 9,400 people in 40 locations in
Europe, Americas and Asia. In the financial year 2009, worldwide
sales totaled EUR 1 billion. The product portfolio ranges from
pharmaceutical vials made of glass and plastic through to complex
drug-delivery systems for the pharma & healthcare 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 characterized by high technical
and regulatory barriers.

Originaltext: Gerresheimer AG
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ISIN: DE000A0LD6E6

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