R. STAHL publishes the preliminary results for fiscal year 2015:
Sales increase to EUR 312.9m, order intake reaches EUR 317.3m, EBIT declines to
EUR 3.9m due to restructuring programme

Waldenburg, 26 February 2016 - R. STAHL, leading supplier of products and systems for explosion protection, today publishes the preliminary results for fiscal year 2015:

- Sales increase by 1.4 % compared to the previous year to EUR 312.9m (previous year: EUR 308.5m).

- Order intake reaches EUR 317.3m (previous year: EUR 335.2m; - 5.4 %),
order backlog on a record high on 2015-12-31, at EUR 95.2m (previous year: EUR 90.5m; + 5.2 %).

- EBIT declines to EUR 3.9m (previous year: EUR 18.3m; - 78.9 %), EBIT margin at 1.2 % (previous year: 5.9 %).

With the preliminary results, the targets for order intake, sales and earnings 2015 have been achieved or even exceeded. Order intake at EUR 317.3m was slowed down by the reduced investment volume of the oil producers. At the same time, R. STAHL could win some major projects, for example for a liquefied gas plant in the north of Russia, and the sales activities in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry yielded the first results. With sales amounting to EUR 312.9m, R. STAHL could exceed its guidance and also previous year's figures, despite the difficult conditions in the upstream area of the oil and gas industry.

While demand declined due to the low oil price and the associated weak demand from the oil producers in Europe and the Americas, R. STAHL could again strengthen its position in region Asia/Pacific with an increase in order intake of 7.1% and sales increases of 33.0%.

At EUR 3.9m, EBIT was within the forecast corridor. The significant drop of the oil price prompted R. STAHL's customers to increase the pricing pressure, which reduced parts of the margin. Weak demand in the upstream oil and gas industry furthermore led to capacities not being fully utilized. The company counteracted with a strategic package of measures with a focus on market penetration and profitability. Implementation of the initiatives for cost reduction caused a one-off burden in the amount of EUR 7.5m, which was EUR 0.5m less than the planned amount. Adjusted by the one-off expenses for the cost reduction programme, operating EBIT amounted to
EUR 11.4m.

"We reacted early to the altered market conditions in the upstream oil market and are well positioned for the future with our strategic package of measures", says R. STAHL CEO Martin Schomaker. "With targeted sales activities and innovative new products we intensify our focus on the chemical and pharmaceutical industry while continuing to seize our opportunities in the oil and gas market."

CFO Bern Marx commented: "We advanced the cost saving projects and concluded reduction of staff and the relocation of the activities from the rented production premises to Waldenburg. With an improved cost structure we expect an increase of our profitability in 2016. At the same time, we completed our investment programme, which has been initiated in 2012, on schedule with the building of a new production and development centre in Cologne. As of 2016, we will significantly reduce our investment volume and thus improve our free cash flow."

Outlook for 2016

From the strategic package of measures to secure the long-term competitiveness of R. STAHL Group, cost savings amounting to about EUR 20m are expected for fiscal year 2016. This will increase profitability. The company will win market shares in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. Order volume in the downstream oil and gas industry is to be maintained on a stable level. Especially in region Asia/Pacific, R. STAHL sees a large potential for growth.

For 2016, the Executive Board assumes sales between EUR 280m to EUR 290m, with an EBIT margin between 5 % and 7 %.

Major key figures of R. STAHL Group pursuant to IFRS

The full results and the Annual Report 2015 will be published on 22 April 2016.

Financial calendar 2016

22 April Publication of the Annual Report 2015
10 May Report on the first quarter
03 June Annual general meeting in Neuenstein
11 August Report on the first half of 2016
10 November Report on the third quarter

About R. STAHL - www.stahl.de
R. STAHL is the world's leading supplier of electrical and electronic products and systems for explosion protection. These products and systems prevent explosions in hazardous areas and contribute to the safety of people, machines and the environment. The portfolio ranges from products used in switching/distributing, installing, operating/monitoring, lighting and signalling/alarming up to automation. Typical customers operate in growth industries, such as the oil & gas industry, the chemical and pharmaceutical industry and the food industry. In 2015, global sales amounting to EUR 312.9 million were generated with 1,894 employees.
The shares of R. STAHL AG are traded on the Regulated Market/Prime Standard of Deutsche Boerse (ISIN DE000A1PHBB5).

Contact:
R. STAHL AG
Am Bahnhof 30, 74638 Waldenburg (Württ.)

Bernd Marx (CFO)
Phone: +49 7942 943-1271

Nathalie Kamm (Investor Relations)
Phone: +49 7942 943-1395

E-mail: investornews@stahl.de