euro adhoc: BENE AG / Financial Figures/Balance Sheet / Bene closes business year 2007/08 with biggest growth jump in the Company´s history.

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Company Information

15.05.2008

• Consolidated sales increased by 27.2 % to EUR 252.5 million
• EBIT improved by 16.2 % to EUR 15.2 million
• Dividend recommendation: EUR 0,22 per share
• Rise in operating cash flow to EUR 10.1 million

Vienna/Waidhofen an der Ybbs, May 15, 2008. The Vienna listed Bene AG
(ISIN AT00000BENE6), international specialist in office and working
environments, looks back on a fast growing business year 2007/08.

With a sales increase of 27.2 % to EUR 252.5 million, in the past
business year, Bene achieved the biggest growth jump in the Company´s
history. In Austria, Bene improved its sales by 10.2 % to EUR 75.2
million. In Germany, sales rose by 24.8 % to EUR 65.6 million. With a
sales growth of 31.6 % to EUR 34.7 million, the UK segment further
strengthened its market position. Within the Central and Eastern
Europe region, the Russia segment with an increase in sales of 45.4 %
to EUR 30.1 million proved to be the determining success factor.
However, the Bene Group achieved the biggest growth in the "other
markets" segment, where the business year closed with a rise in sales
of 53.0 % to EUR 46.9 million.

The Group´s EBIT (earnings before interest and tax), which increased
by 16.2 % to EUR 15.2 million improved similarly well as sales.
Despite the major jump in sales, which in its dimension was a big
challenge for the internal organisation, Bene reached a high
EBIT-margin of 6.0 % (2006/07: 6.6 %) clearly exceeding the
industry´s average. In line with the positive earnings development,
compared to the last business year, the Bene Group improved earnings
per share by 7.1 % to EUR 0.45.

As of January 31, 2008, the balance sheet reported an unchanged solid
capital structure. The balance sheet total of EUR 142.0 million
exceeded the previous year´s value by 1.3 percent (January 31, 2007:
EUR 140.2 million). As of January 31, 2008, the Group´s equity
including minority interests amounted to EUR 69.2 million (January
31, 2007: EUR 63.9 million).

In the business year under review, the operating cash flow improved
to EUR 10.1 million and forms the sound basis for the further
self-financed growth of the Group.

On the balance sheet date, the Bene Group occupied 1.430 employees
worldwide, which corresponds to an increase of 6.4 % compared to the
previous year.

As a result of the positive earnings development, the Management
Board will propose a dividend of EUR 0.22 per share to the
shareholders´ meeting. This is a payout ratio of 48.6 % or a yield of
3.8 % on the average price of the financial year 2007/08.

The Management of the Bene Group has again set ambitious targets for
the business year 2008/09 and primarily strives for a solid growth
through organic growth. Acquisitions in the sales area in order to
expand and strengthen market accesses but also acquisitions of
complementary products for the enlargement of the own production
activities are possible and will be realised on appropriate
occasions.

The Annual Report 2007/08 is available under http//:bene.com:

end of announcement euro adhoc
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ots Originaltext: BENE AG
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Further inquiry note:

Investor Relations

Gerald Strohmaier, MBA

Head of Finance & Investor Relations

BENE AG

A-3340 Waidhofen/Ybbs

Schwarzwiesenstraße 3

Phone +43-7442-500-3372

Fax +43-7442-500-993372

http://bene.com

Branche: Furnishings & Furniture
ISIN: AT00000BENE6
WKN:
Index: ATX Prime
Börsen: Wiener Börse AG / official market


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