DÃœSSELDORF, Germany: Gerresheimer AG, one of the leading worldwide suppliers to the pharma and healthcare industry, is continuing its growth course in the financial year 2010. "Our business is developing well. We continue to focus on the field of pharma and healthcare. Doing so we are achieving solid and profitable growth," says Uwe Röhrhoff, CEO of Gerresheimer AG.

In the third quarter of 2010, Gerresheimer further strengthened its revenues. In the period from June to August 2010 the company increased its revenues (excluding the Technical Plastic Systems business which has been sold) by 9.5% to EUR 259.4m (prior year EUR 236.9m). At constant exchange rates, revenues grew by 5.8% in the third quarter. In the first three quarters, Gerresheimer achieved revenue growth of 4.4% at constant exchange rates to EUR 753.0m (prior year excluding Technical Plastic Systems: EUR 714.9m). The main growth generators in the pharma business were insulin pens, asthma inhalers and prefillable syringes. Additionally, a resurgence of demand for cosmetics packaging and economic recovery in the laboratory glassware segment had a positive impact on the business trend.

Gerresheimer also achieved a further rise in earnings. For the third quarter of the financial year the company reports operating earnings (Adjusted EBITDA) of EUR 53.3m, 28.1% up on the prior-year period (third quarter 2009 excluding Technical Plastic Systems: EUR 41.6m). In the third quarter of 2010 the operating margin (Adjusted EBITDA margin) improved by 3.2 percentage points in comparison with the prior year to 20.5% (first three quarters 2010: 19.6%). Adjusted earnings per share improved substantially from EUR 0.20 to EUR 0.52. As a result of the positive business trend, Gerresheimer was able to reduce net financial debt by EUR 74.1m to EUR 356.6m (prior year: EUR 430.7m)

"The combination of organically generated growth and targeted acquisitions forms the foundation for the further successful development of our company. We concentrate on profitable markets and continuously expand our position as a market leader globally. Our presence in the emerging markets is therefore more important than ever," says Röhrhoff.

Outlook

For the current financial year 2010, Gerresheimer continues to expect revenue growth of 3% to 4% at constant exchange rates, excluding Technical Plastic Systems. This is equivalent to nominal sales growth of 5% to 6%. The company also stands by its forecast EBITDA margin of 19.5% to 20%. In 2010 the company expects to invest a total of EUR 75-80m.

About Gerresheimer

Gerresheimer is an internationally leading manufacturer of high-quality specialty products made of glass and plastic for the global pharma & healthcare industry. Our wide product spectrum ranges from pharma­ceutical vials to complex drug delivery systems, such as syringe systems, insulin pens and inhalers, for safe dosage and appli­cation. Together with our partners we develop solutions which set standards and have role-model status throughout their respective business sectors.

Our Group of companies achieves in Europe, North and South America and Asia sales of about EUR 1 billion and employs around 9,500 people. Through top-class technologies, convincing innovations and targeted invest­ments we are systematically expanding our strong market position.

The full version of the interim report can be found under:

http://www.gerresheimer.com/en/investor-relations/reports.html

Group Key Figures (IFRS; Financial Year end November 30)

    
    in EUR million                   Q3 2010  Q3 2009   change in %   FY 2009

    Revenues                           259.4   242.6      +6.9        1,000.2 
    Group revenues excluding           259.4   236.9      +9.5          970.8
    Technical Plastics(1)                                 +5.8(5)

    Adjusted EBITDA(2)                  53.3    42.0     +26.9          185.9
    in % of revenues                    20.5    17.3                     18.6

    Adjusted EBITDA(2) excluding        53.3    41.6     +28.1          186.2
    Technical Plastics(1)
    in % of revenues                    20.5    17.6                     19.2

    Profit from operations (EBIT)       26.3    12.9      >100           60.5
    Net income                          14.1    -4.0      >100            7.0
    Adjusted net income(3)              18.4     7.9      >100           45.2
    Earnings per share in EUR           0.41   -0.11      >100           0.18
    Adjusted earnings per share(4) in   
    EUR                                 0.52    0.20      >100           1.34
    Equity ratio in %                   37.7    34.7                     35.8
    Net Financial Debt                 356.6   430.7     -17.2          373.3
    Capital expenditure                 13.5    19.1     -29.3           86.4

1 The Technical Plastic Systems segment was sold with effect from July 1, 2009.

2 Adjusted EBITDA: Earnings before income taxes, financial result, amortization of fair value adjustments, extraordinary depreciation, depreciation and amortization, restructuring expenses and one-off income and expenses.

3 Adjusted net income: Consolidated profit before non-cash amortization of fair value adjustments, special effects from restructuring expenses, extraordinary depreciation, the balance of one-off income and expenses (including significant non-cash expenses) and the related tax effects.

4 Adjusted net income after minorities divided by 31.4m shares.

5 Revenue growth rate at constant exchange rates.

Group Key Figures (IFRS; Financial Year end November 30)

    
    in EUR million                       Q1-Q3     Q1-Q3  change in % FY 2009
                                          2010      2009

    Revenues                             753.0     744.3    +1.2    1,000.2
    Group revenues excluding             753.0     714.9    +5.3      970.8
    Technical Plastics(1)                                   +4.4(5)

    Adjusted EBITDA(2)                   147.9     127.8   +15.7      185.9
    in % of revenues                      19.6      17.2               18.6

    Adjusted EBITDA(2) excluding         147.9     128.1   +15.5      186.2
    Technical Plastics(1) 
    in % of revenues                      19.6      17.9               19.2

    Profit from operations (EBIT)         63.4      33.9   +87.0       60.5
    Net income                            27.7      -4.2    >100        7.0
    Adjusted net income(3)                43.6      28.6   +52.4       45.2
    Earnings per share in EUR             0.85     -0.15    >100       0.18
    Adjusted earnings per share(4) in     1.33      0.83   +60.2       1.34
    EUR
    Equity ratio in %                     37.7      34.7               35.8
    Net Financial Debt                   356.6     430.7   -17.2      373.3
    Capital expenditure                   43.0      50.3   -14.5       86.4

1 The Technical Plastic Systems segment was sold with effect from July 1, 2009.

2 Adjusted EBITDA: Earnings before income taxes, financial result, amortization of fair value adjustments, extraordinary depreciation, depreciation and amortization, restructuring expenses and one-off income and expenses.

3 Adjusted net income: Consolidated profit before non-cash amortization of fair value adjustments, special effects from restructuring expenses, extraordinary depreciation, the balance of one-off income and expenses (including significant non-cash expenses) and the related tax effects.

4 Adjusted net income after minorities divided by 31.4m shares.

5 Revenue growth rate at constant exchange rates.

    
    Media contact                        Investor Relations contact
    Jens Kürten                          Anke Linnartz
    Director Corporate Communication     Director Investor Relations
    & Marketing                          Telephone +49-211-6181-314
    Telephone +49-211-6181-250           Telefax +49-211-6181-121  
    Telefax +49-211-6181-241             E-Mail a.linnartz@gerresheimer.com
    E-Mail j.kuerten@gerresheimer.com