Berentzen-Group publishes Consolidated Half-Yearly Financial Report: Strong growth in revenues and key earnings figures

Berentzen-Gruppe Aktiengesellschaft (ISIN: DE0005201602), listed on the Regulated Market (General Standard) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, today published its consolidated half-year financial report. In the first half of the financial year 2022, the group of companies generated consolidated revenues of EUR 79.0 million - an increase of almost 17% compared to the same period of the previous year (EUR 67.7 million). Consolidated earnings before interest and taxes (consolidated EBIT) amounted to €3.7 million in the first six months of the 2022 financial year, up around 42% on the previous year's figure (€2.6 million). Consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (consolidated EBITDA) increased to EUR 7.9 million (H1/2021: EUR 7.1 million). The Berentzen Group thus confirms the business figures that it had already provisionally announced on 12 July 2022 as part of a mandatory capital market announcement.

"We are very pleased with this strong growth in our revenues and earnings figures," comments Oliver Schwegmann, Executive Board member of Berentzen-Gruppe Aktiengesellschaft, and continues: "We have returned to our growth path. Revenues have returned to the level of a first half-year before the coronavirus pandemic." Adjusted for a contract filling business in the Non-alcoholic Beverages segment that ended last year, sales revenues would have even been 8.1% higher than in the first half of 2019 - the last financial year before the outbreak of the pandemic.

"We also achieved significant year-on-year increases in our key earnings figures Group EBIT and EBITDA," Schwegmann said. The fact that these have not yet reached the pre-Corona level is due to the massive increases in energy and material costs as a result of the war in Ukraine.

The Berentzen and Puschkin brands, with which the group had launched a liqueur offensive last year, had grown their combined revenues by 23.5%. Premiumised private-label spirits grew by 13.6%. The Mio Mio focus brand in the non-alcoholic beverages segment achieved a 16.2% increase in sales. The Fresh Juice Systems segment, with its Citrocasa fruit juicers and fruit and bottles, had recorded overall sales growth of 28.0%. "These are the themes with which we want to continue to grow in the future and which will drive us forward," said Schwegmann.

Outlook for the rest of the business year
The Berentzen Group also expects revenues to continue rising in the second half of the year, which is why it already revised its revenue forecast for the full year upwards in July. Specifically, the Group expects higher consolidated revenues in a range of EUR 158.0 million to EUR 165.0 million for the 2022 financial year (previously EUR 154.0 million to EUR 162.0 million, previous year EUR 146.1 million).

Against the backdrop of the positive business performance, the Berentzen Group also raised the lower end of its earnings forecasts in July. The upper end of the ranges remains unchanged due to the ongoing challenges in the procurement markets. Specifically, the corporate group expects a consolidated EBIT of between EUR 6.0 and 8.0 million (previously EUR 5.0 to 8.0 million, previous year EUR 6.7 million) and a consolidated EBITDA of between EUR 15.0 and 17.0 million (previously EUR 14.0 to 17.0 million, previous year EUR 15.4 million).

"With the tailwind of the last few months, we have started the second half of the year optimistically despite the challenges on the procurement side. We are convinced that we can continue on our profitable, ambitious path," Schwegmann concludes.