EANS-Adhoc: BENE AG / Bene with significant improvement in earnings and slight decrease in sales in the financial year 2010/11 (with document)

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annual report

19.05.2011

- EBITDA positive again - EBIT increased by EUR 5.8 million
- Gross profit margin further improved to 53.8 %
- Clearly positive operating cash flow (EUR 13.8 million)

Vienna/Waidhofen an der Ybbs, May 19, 2011. In the past financial
year (February 1, 2010 until January 31, 2011), where in a difficult
economic environment the consolidation process of the late cycle
office furniture industry further accelerated, the Vienna stock
exchange listed Bene Group has successfully maintained its market
position, with a slight decline in sales but significant increases in
EBITDA and EBIT. The Bene Group has quickly and resolutely responded
to the challenging environment prevailing since 2008/09 without
leaving the strategic focus. In line with this, the international
specialist for office and working environments has significantly
expanded the product range by entering the segment of swivel chairs
and upholstered furniture, has reasonably developed the direct sales
net - a clear competitive advantage - and has as well significantly
strengthened the "Bene" brand´s content and awareness. The Bene
Group´s operating gross profit margin further improved to 53.8 %
(2009/10: 51.5 %) and the portion of high-margin products of total
sales increased considerably.

Clearly increased sales in the second half-year - further improved
gross profit margins In the first half-year of the reporting period,
sales decreased by 19.5 % to EUR 77.1 million compared to the
previous year´s reference period (first half-year 2009/10: EUR 95.8
million). In the second half-year of 2010/11, sales amounted to EUR
93.7 million and thus were already 12.2 % higher than the prior year
value. Overall, compared to the previous year, in the financial year
2010/11, the Bene Group had to report only a slight decline in sales
of 4.7 % to EUR 170.8 million (2009/10: EUR 179.3 million).

In the Austria segment, in the financial year 2010/11, the Bene Group
increased sales by 3.0 % to EUR 55.1 million (2009/10: EUR 53.5
million). In a generally difficult economic environment, in the
business year 2010/11, sales of the Germany segment dropped by 13.4 %
to EUR 44.1 million (2009/10: 50.9 million). After two difficult
years, the Bene Group achieved the turnaround in the UK segment and
improved sales by 20.0 % to EUR 19.0 million (2009/10: EUR 15.8
million). The Bene Group could not escape the continued unfavourable
market environment in Russia and recorded a decline in sales of 36,8
% to EUR 14.9 million in the Russia segment (2009/10: EUR 23.6
million). In the `Other markets` segment, sales improved by 6.3 %
from EUR 35.4 million to EUR 37.7 million.

Substantial improvement in earnings figures - EBITDA positive again
On the basis of the increased gross profit margin, the focused
strengthening of the sales structures as well as an appropriate cost
management in line with the strategic targets, the Bene Group
achieved a slightly positive EBITDA of EUR 0.5 million, which was
clearly exceeding the reference value of the prior year (2009/10: EUR
-5.2 million). Despite the slightly declining sales, the EBIT
improved to EUR - 8.2 million (2009/10: EUR -14.0 million) compared
to the reference period of the previous year.

Balance sheet structure still solid With a value of EUR 149.2 million
as of the balance sheet date January 31, 2011 the balance sheet total
was 7.7 % lower than the previous year´s reference value (January
31, 2010: EUR 161.7 million). The equity ratio reached 25.9 %
(January 2010: 31.7 %). Despite the clearly negative operating
result, the Bene Group achieved a significant positive operating cash
flow in the amount of EUR 13.8 million in the business year 2010/11
(2009/10: EUR 7.4 million). An important contribution was the
reduction in working capital of EUR 9.9 million to EUR 11.0 million
(2009/10: EUR 20.9 million). With 19.2 %, the Bene Group likewise
reported a solid value for the net gearing and has a long-term
oriented financing structure.

Number of employees increased slightly. On the balance sheet date
January 31, 2011 the Bene Group occupied 1,271 employees worldwide.
This corresponds to an increase of 23 employees or 1.8 % compared to
January 31, 2010.

Dividend policy. Due to the economic environment and the earnings
development, it will be proposed to the General Meeting of
shareholders not to distribute any dividend for the financial year
2010/11.

Outlook. For the financial year 2011/12, the Management of the Bene
Group assumes a bottoming out in the relevant markets, however still
expects high volatility in the markets and of the price levels. For
the business year 2011/12, the Management Board of the Bene Group
therefore remains optimistic to achieve a significant improvement in
sales and to further increase earnings. However, for the overall
financial year 2011/12, the Bene Group will presumably report a
slightly negative result. On the basis of existing capacities, the
Bene Group has a great organic growth potential to exploit, provided
that the markets continue to develop positively.

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 developments by our 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 assumption, on which the
statements were based.

About Bene Bene is convinced that there is a clear connection between
the design of office and work environments, corporate culture and the
success of a company. Bene´s concepts, products and services put this
philosophy into reality. Development, design and production as well
as consulting and sales are covered under one roof. With 82 sites in
35 countries and 1,271employees worldwide, Bene offers its customers
regional access to all of its services. In the business year 2010/11,
consolidated sales of the Bene Group amounted to EUR 170.8 million.
Bene is market leader in Austria and number five in Europe.

Attachments with Announcement:
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http://resources.euroadhoc.com/us/seAerGsw
http://resources.euroadhoc.com/us/mJfLrh7z

end of announcement euro adhoc
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Attachments with Announcement:
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http://resources.euroadhoc.com/us/seAerGsw
http://resources.euroadhoc.com/us/mJfLrh7z

issuer: BENE AG
Schwarzwiesenstrasse 3
A-3340 Waidhofen/Ybbs
phone: +43/7442/500-0
FAX: +43/7442/500-3380
mail: office@bene.com
WWW: www.bene.com
sector: Furnishings & Furniture
ISIN: AT00000BENE6
indexes: ATX Prime
stockmarkets: official market: Wien
language: English

ots Originaltext: BENE AG
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Further inquiry note:

Investor Relations:
Martina Vomela
Schwarzwiesenstraße 3
A-3340 Waidhofen/Ybbs
IR Hotline: +43-7442-500-3100
ir@bene.com

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