Berentzen-Gruppe Aktiengesellschaft publishes preliminary financial figures for the third quarter: Extremely positive business performance over the course of the year - forecast raised again

Berentzen-Gruppe Aktiengesellschaft (ISIN: DE0005201602), listed on the Regulated Market (General Standard) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, today announced preliminary business figures for the third quarter of the 2022 financial year. According to these figures, the group of companies generated consolidated revenues of EUR 127.1 million (Q3/2021: 105.8) - an increase of more than 20%. Consolidated operating earnings before interest and taxes (consolidated EBIT) increased by around 32% to 6.8 (Q3/2021: 5.1) million euros. Consolidated operating earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (consolidated EBITDA) reached 13.1 (Q3/2021: 11.9) million euros. Against this background, the Group has again adjusted its full-year guidance for fiscal 2022.

"Our business figures for the first three quarters of the 2022 financial year are not only significantly higher than those of the corresponding period of the previous year, but also exceed the business results of the comparable period of 2019 - the last pre-Corona year and one of the most successful financial years of the Berentzen Group in the recent history of the company," Oliver Schwegmann, Executive Board member of Berentzen-Gruppe Aktiengesellschaft, is pleased to report. It should be particularly emphasized that this success was achieved despite the massive increases in energy and material costs in the course of the year to date. As a result of these continuing cost burdens, the gross profit quality of the individual products has suffered, as it has not yet been possible to pass on the corresponding price increases in full. Consequently, the success of the business was almost exclusively attributable to strong sales growth. "We are very pleased with this positive development in demand for Berentzen Group products and it shows: After the restrictions of the coronavirus pandemic, people again want the moments in community and use the most diverse beverages from our broadly positioned portfolio as optimal companions through the day. From freshly squeezed orange juice in the morning, to the invigorating Mio Mio lemonade indulgence in the afternoon, to the most diverse spirits for exuberant celebrations or for a cozy end to the day," says Schwegmann.

All strategically important topics for the Berentzen Group had contributed to the business success in the first three quarters. The strategic growth areas of the corporate group are the liqueurs of the Berentzen and Puschkin brands in branded spirits, premium product concepts in private-label spirits, the innovative Mio Mio lemonade brand in the non-alcoholic beverages segment, and the key core sales markets in the fresh juice systems segment. "We already saw it after the first two quarters and today it is impressively confirmed once again - the Berentzen Group is back on its growth path," explains Schwegmann.

Further outlook for the 2022 financial year
Based on the positive development of consolidated revenues and earnings ratios in the first nine months, the Berentzen Group is again raising its annual forecast for the 2022 financial year, having already announced an improvement in the ratios in July. The Group now expects consolidated revenues in a range of EUR 172.0 to 177.0 million (previously EUR 158.0 to 165.0 million, previous year EUR 146.1 million). Group EBIT is now expected to be in a range between 7.8 and 8.8 million euros (previously 6.0 to 8.0 million euros, previous year 6.7 million euros), while Group EBITDA is expected to be between 16.1 and 17.1 million euros (previously 15.0 to 17.0 million euros, previous year 15.4 million euros). The impact on business results due to the ongoing challenges on the procurement markets is expected to be much more noticeable in the fourth quarter than in the year to date. "Against this backdrop, we remain somewhat more cautious in our reassessment of the key earnings figures than we are with regard to the expected development of consolidated revenues. Overall, however, the Berentzen Group will demonstrate its regained growth power this year," Schwegmann concluded.