Landsberg, August 12, 2008. Although the U.S. dollar and sterling have fallen unexpectedly sharply against the euro since January, RATIONAL increased its revenue by 11 percent in the second quarter of 2008, from 80.0 million euros to 89.0 million euros. „Adjusted for the negative exchange rate factors, the rate of growth in the second quarter reached over 14 percent”, explains Dr. Blaschke, CEO of RATIONAL AG. Revenue for the first six months rose to 168.6 million euros, which was an increase of 10 percent (previous year 153.9 million euros).

Asian success story

„The region of the future, Asia, developed particularly successfully in 2008. Revenue in the first half of the year jumped 39 percent, from 15.3 million euros to 21.3 million euros“, states Dr. Blaschke.

EBIT up 13 percent

In the second quarter, EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) rose from 21.1 million euros to 23.9 million euros (+13 percent), taking the EBIT margin to 26.9 percent.

EBIT for the first six months amounts to 42.7 million euros, an increase of 4.0 million euros or 10 percent. Consolidated profit in the first half of the year advanced 27 percent, from 25.0 million euros to 31.6 million euros. In addition to the increase in EBIT, this extraordinarily positive performance was due to the reduction in the tax rate from 36 percent in the first half of 2007 to 27 percent in the first half of 2008.

Revenue and profit forecast confirmed for full-year 2008

“Given the successful development in the second quarter of this year, we are confident that, in spite of the adverse economic conditions and the sustained fall in the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar and sterling, we will be able to achieve the 15 percent increase in revenue and profit budgeted for 2008”, reports Dr. Blaschke.

Contact:

RATIONAL Aktiengesellschaft
Dr. Günter Blaschke
Tel. +49 (0)8191 327-364
Fax +49 (0)8191 327-272
e-Mail: g.blaschke@rational-online.de
www.rational-ag.com

Information for editors:

RATIONAL is the world market and technology leader for the thermal preparation of food in professional kitchens. The company, founded in 1973, employs more than 1,000 people, more than 600 of whom are in Germany. Since the IPO in 2000 RATIONAL was floated in the Prime Standard on the German stock market and is currently listed in the SDAX. The Price of RATIONAL shares has duplicated several times since the IPO.

The company’s principal objective is to offer customers maximum benefit. Internally RATIONAL is committed to the principle of sustainability, expressed in its policies on environmental protection, leadership and social responsibility. Numerous international awards bear witness year on year to the high level of RATIONAL’s work.