The HARTMANN GROUP reaches 2018 sales and earnings goal - Aims to further focus on competitive position and customers

• Sales up by 2.9% (organic 2.6%) to €2.12 billion
• EBIT of €123.2 million (previous year: €138.4 million) characterized by a challenging environment
• Consolidated net income of €83.8 million facilitates a stable dividend proposal of €7.00 per share
• Goals for 2019 confirmed – competitive position and customer focus will be further strengthened in order to sustainably leverage opportunities

In the 2018 financial year, the HARTMANN GROUP, one of the leading international providers of medical and hygiene products, achieved an increase in sales of 2.9% and an EBIT of €123.2 million despite a challenging environment.

“With the increase in sales we are in line with the growth rates of the previous years,” explains Britta Fünfstück, Chief Executive Officer of the HARTMANN GROUP. “The decrease in EBIT and consolidated net income turned out moderately. This reflects an unfavorable exchange rate development, increasing pressure on prices and margins across the industry, persistently high regulatory costs as well as expenses for sales and infrastructure,” highlights CEO Fünfstück. “Nevertheless, we will keep the dividend stable and propose €7.00 per share as in the previous year.”

Fünfstück continues: “We believe in our potential within an attractive industry environment. In order to leverage this and to sustainably develop our growth and earnings power, we will strengthen our competitive position and customer orientation. A rock-solid liquidity and financial position fundamentally support our future initiatives.”

The HARTMANN GROUP was able to increase Group sales within Germany (+1.6%, organic +1.9%), as well as in other European markets (+4.9%, organic +3.3%). In Germany, the Wound Management and Infection Management segments developed particularly well; in the other European markets, the Wound and Incontinence Management segments recorded strongdevelopment. The regions outside of Europe recorded a decline in sales (-2.8%, organic +1.3%) as a result of exchange rates.

Within the Incontinence Management segment, sales increased by 4.3% to €693.7 million. The incontinence brand LINDOR, acquired in 2017, contributed to this growth thanks to its strength in the Spanish and Portuguese market. Among the product lines, the pants from MoliCare® Mobile and the skincare line MoliCare® Skin enjoyed a growing level of customer acceptance.

Sales within the Wound Management segment rose by 3.6% to €474.2 million, driven by the focus on innovative and high-margin ranges. Here, a two-figure sales plus was recorded by superabsorbent wound dressings and the Hydro Therapy treatment concept. An encouraging rise in sales revenues was also recorded by the Mediset® pre-assembled wound treatment procedure tray.

In 2018, the Infection Management segment achieved growth in sales of 2.6% to €505.5 million, which, among other things, was driven by higher sales volumes for customized surgical procedure trays and specific single-use procedure trays for patient care. The single-use surgical instruments, surgical gloves and Sterillium®Med, a core element of the hand disinfection portfolio, also recorded dynamic growth.

In the Other Group Activities segment, which includes product ranges closely geared towards endconsumers and the retail business, the HARTMANN GROUP increased its sales by 0.7% to €446.2 million. Contributing to this, among other things, was growth from the KNEIPP Group, a leader in the area of bath products that was able to win over customers by continuing its strategy “Kneipp works. Naturally.”

The decrease in the Return on EBIT to 5.8% (previous year: 6.7%) reflects an unfavorable exchange rate development, increasing pressure on prices and margins in the industry, persistently high regulatory costs as well as expenses for sales and infrastructure. Consolidated net income decreased by 10.7% as compared to the previous year to €83.8 million.

The total number of employees within the HARTMANN GROUP increased globally to 11,027 (end of 2017: 10,764). In the European core markets, an additional 222 employees were added to the workforce. This was primarily a result of the expansion of production in the Czech Republic and KOB Medical Devices in Germany, as well as the growth-related increase in employees at KNEIPP. Beyond Europe, the expansion of production capacity in India and the expansion of the sales organization in China resulted in a rise in employee numbers.

At the 105th Annual General Meeting on April 30, 2019, the Management and Supervisory Boards will once again propose a dividend of €7.00 per share. This corresponds to a total distribution to the shareholders of the company of €24.9 million. HARTMANN thereby continues its stable dividend policy.

The HARTMANN GROUP is one of the leading European providers of professional medical and care products and associated services. Every day, healthcare professionals and patients rely on HARTMANN brands in the segments of Incontinence Management (e.g. MoliCare®), Wound Care (e.g. Zetuvit®, Cosmopor®) and Infection Management (e. g. Sterillium®). This is expressed in our brand promise of “Helps. Cares. Protects.” HARTMANN generated sales of EUR 2.3 billion in the 2023 financial year. Founded in 1818, the Company sells its products and solutions in 130 countries around the world. For the future, the HARTMANN GROUP is currently implementing its strategic Transformation Program with its high-performance, customer-oriented and passionate team.

To learn more about the HARTMANN GROUP, visit www.corporate.hartmann.info.