Gerresheimer starts the year successfully in 2008

Düsseldorf (ots) -

- Cross reference: Key figures of the Fiscal Year are available at
http://www.presseportal.de/dokumente -

- Sales increase by 18.2% to EUR239.1m in the first quarter of
2008
- Operating result (Adjusted EBITDA) improves by 20.4% to EUR43.0m
- Integration of the acquisitions EDP and Allplas progressing in
line with plan
- CEO Dr. Axel Herberg: "We have again substantially increased our
sales and earnings, and results are fully in line with our
forecasts."

Gerresheimer AG has started the financial year 2008 with an
outstanding first quarter. Sales grew by 18.2% compared with the
prior year period to EUR 239.1m (2007: E202.3m). Excluding
exchange-rate effects, sales actually rose by 21.8%. The operating
result (Adjusted EBITDA) also improved again, increasing by 20.4% to
EUR 43.0m (prior year period: EUR 35.7m). The Adjusted EBITDA
margin therefore reached 18.0% in the first quarter (December 2007 -
February 2008), which is seasonally the weakest quarter over the
course of the year. The adjusted net income, which shows the
operating strength of the company, almost quadrupled to EUR 9.9m
(prior year period: EUR 2.6m). The net income improved by EUR 6.5m to
EUR 2.5m (prior year period: EUR -4.0m). Overall, Gerresheimer
profited primarily from the high level of demand in the pharma & life
science segment, where the company achieves three quarters of its
total sales.

"The first quarter was extremely successful for us. We improved
our results in all divisions and are therefore well ahead of the
overall market development. Gerresheimer is outstandingly well
positioned and we are well on the way to achieving ourambitious
targets for the current financial year", says Dr. Axel Herberg, CEO
of Gerresheimer AG.

Successful development of all divisions

All the divisions contributed to the positive development of the
Group. In addition to the sustained high level of demand for
Gerresheimer products, this was attributable to the successful
integration of the acquisitions made.

In the first quarter of 2008, sales in the Tubular Glass Division
increased by 9.1%, or 14.6% on a like-for-like exchange-rate basis,
to EUR 65.7m (prior year period: EUR 60.2m). Adjusted EBITDA
totalled EUR 15.7m (prior year period: EUR 15.0m). The main growth
generator in this division was the 68% increase in sales of RTF
(Ready-to-Fill) syringes. To meet this sustained high level of
demand, Gerresheimer plans to install a third RTF production line at
the start of 2009. Further growth contributors were the rise in sales
of pharmaceutical vials in the American market and growth in China.

Sales by the Plastic Systems Division increased by 37.1% to EUR
77.2m (prior year period: EUR 56.3m). Adjusted EBITDA actually rose
by 45.4% to EUR 14.1m (prior year period: EUR 9.7m). This division
profited from the rise in demand for inhalersand products for the
segment of diabetes care. Also in this division, integration of the
companies EDP (today Gerresheimer Zaragoza S.A.) and Allplas (today
Gerresheimer Plasticos São Paulo Ltda.), which were acquired at the
start of 2008, is progressing well.

With sales growth of 5.0 % (7.8% on a like-for-like exchange-rate
basis) the Moulded Glass Division considerably exceeded the market
average. Adjusted EBITDA on the basis of sales of EUR 77.6m (prior
year period: EUR 73.9m) improved by 20.3% to EUR 16.0m. Particular
contributions were made by the pharmaceutical vials business in the
USA and Europe and increased sales of cosmetics products.

The Life Science Research Division achieved a sales increase of
81.7 % to EUR 21.8m (prior year period: EUR 12.0m) following the
expansion of business operations after establishment of the joint
venture with Thermo Fisher. The operating result improved to EUR
2.4m (prior year period: E1.3m).

Gerresheimer still on a successful course

"We will continue our successful development in 2008. We have
substantially improved the results in all divisions and see this as
full confirmation of our strategy. With its products, Gerresheimer is
a reliable partner for the pharma & life science industry, which is
our core business. We benefit from the growth in this sector and will
further expand our good position in the market," says Dr. Axel
Herberg. For the financial year 2008 as a whole, Gerresheimer's
objective is to achieve a sales increase of 13% to 15% and an
improvement in the adjusted EBITDA margin to more than 19%.

About Gerresheimer

Gerresheimer employs more than 10,800 people in 41 locations in
Europe, America and Asia. In the financial year 2007, worldwide sales
totalled EUR 957.7m. The product portfolio ranges from
pharmaceutical vials made of glass and plastic through to complex
drug-delivery systems for the pharma & life-science industry. These
include sterile syringes, inhalers and other system-based approaches
for safe dosage and application of medications. The Group enjoys a
leading position in markets which are characterised by high technical
and regulatory barriers.

Press Dates

Annual General Meeting May 23, 2008
Interim report 2nd Quarter 2008 July 15, 2008
Interim report 3rd Quarter 2008 October 15, 2008
Annual financial statements 2008 February 17, 2009

Originaltext: Gerresheimer AG
digital press kits: http://www.presseportal.de/pm/9072
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ISIN: DE000A0LD6E6

Contact :

Director Corporate PR & Marketing
Burkhard Lingenberg
Telephone +49 211 6181-250
Telefax +49 211 6181-241
E-Mail b.lingenberg@gerresheimer.com


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