EANS-Adhoc: Semperit AG Holding optimises capital structure and plans special dividend
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ad-hoc disclosure transmitted by euro adhoc with the aim of a Europe-wide distribution. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Strategic management decisions 09.12.2014 * Semperit plans a base dividend of approx. EUR 1.10 per share plus a special dividend of approx. EUR 4.90 per share * Richard Ehrenfeldner's Management Board mandate extended until 31 May 2018 The Semperit AG Holding plans to broaden the capital structure of the Group. In light of the historically low interest rates on debt as well as the above-average equity base of Semperit, the Executive Committee of the Supervisory Board had asked the Management Board to evaluate measures to optimise the Group's capital structure. Subsequently, different scenario models were calculated and extensively discussed with the Supervisory Board in today's meeting. As a result of this evaluation, the Supervisory Board has approved today that the Management Board may raise low interest bearing debt. Subsequently the Group's total capital cost should decrease by reducing the Group's equity. These measures enable continuous dynamic growth and while leading to a further enhancement of the Group's capital structure. Based on these measures, the Group will have a cash inflow, which will be used to finance future growth investments more cost-effectively. Provided that the market and company development remains stable, excess financial means can be distributed to the shareholders subsequently. Subject to an appropriate business development, the Management Board therefore intends to propose - in addition to the annual profit-related dividend, which is expected to amount to approx. EUR 1.10 per share - the payout of a one-off special dividend of approx. EUR 4.90 per share in the upcoming Annual General Meeting on 28 April 2015. The future dividend policy will be adapted accordingly. Semperit aims for a payout ratio of about 50% of earnings after tax in the future (instead of currently 30%) provided that business operations perform accordingly. After these actions the Group will continue to have an attractive balance sheet structure with an expected equity ratio of about 40% of the balance sheet total, which meets the requirements of a growth company and reflects the current attractive interest rates. Any investment projects scheduled or currently being implemented will be carried out as planned. At today's meeting, the Supervisory Board also extended the Management Board mandate of Richard Ehrenfeldner for three years until 31 May 2018. Hence Richard Ehrenfeldner will continue his responsibilities as Chief Technical Officer (CTO) in the future. The Management Board of Semperit AG Holding will thus remain unchanged and consist of Thomas Fahnemann, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Johannes Schmidt-Schultes as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Richard Ehrenfeldner as Chief Technical Officer (CTO) and Declan Daly as Chief Information Officer (CIO). About Semperit The publicly listed company Semperit AG Holding is an internationally-oriented group that develops, produces, and sells in more than 100 countries highly specialised rubber and plastic products for the medical and industrial sectors: examination and surgical gloves, hydraulic and industrial hoses, conveyor belts, escalator handrails, construction profiles, cable car rings, and products for railway superstructures. The headquarters of this long-standing Austrian company, which was founded in 1824, are located in Vienna, and the global R & D centre is in Wimpassing, Lower Austria. The Semperit Group employs about 11,600 people worldwide, including 9,000 in Asia and more than 800 in Austria (Vienna and production site in Wimpassing, Lower Austria). The Group has 22 manufacturing facilities worldwide and numerous sales offices in Europe, Asia, and America. In 2013 the group generated sales of EUR 906 million and an EBITDA of EUR 133 million. Further inquiry note: Martina Büchele Head of Group Communications Tel.: +43 676 8715 8621 martina.buechele@semperitgroup.com Stefan Marin Investor Relations Tel.: +43 676 8715 8210 stefan.marin@semperitgroup.com www.semperitgroup.com end of announcement euro adhoc -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- issuer: Semperit AG Holding Modecenterstrasse 22 A-1030 Wien phone: +43 1 79 777-210 FAX: +43 1 79 777-602 mail: investor@semperitgroup.com WWW: www.semperitgroup.com sector: Synthetics & Plastics ISIN: AT0000785555 indexes: WBI, ATX Prime, ViDX, Prime Market, ATX Global Players stockmarkets: official market: Wien language: English
Original content of: Semperit AG Holding, transmitted by news aktuell