Press Release

SURTECO proposes dividend increase of 14 % for 2015

- New record sales of EUR 638 million

- EBIT increases by 13 % to EUR 31 million

- Free cash flow increases by 51 % to more than EUR 40 million

- Confidence for 2016: Modest sales increase anticipated and significant improvement in EBIT to EUR 38 - 42 million

Buttenwiesen-Pfaffenhofen, 29 April 2016 - SURTECO SE - one of the world's leading manufacturers of decorative surface materials - is confident of being able to increase sales and earnings once more in 2016. During the reporting year 2015, the Group once again generated a record level of sales at EUR 638.4 million (2014: EUR 618.5 million). Although substantial integration costs were entailed for the concentration of the German decorative printing activities, SURTECO achieved an increase in the earnings before financial result and income tax (EBIT) of 13 % to EUR 31.1 million compared with 2014 (EUR 27.6 million). A substantially improved financial result led to an increase in the pre-tax result from EUR 22.3 million in 2014 to EUR 26.8 million. Net profit after tax amounted to EUR 17.7 million, which translates into earnings per share of EUR 1.14. Against this background, the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board will recommend that the Annual General Meeting pay out a dividend increased from EUR 0.70 to EUR 0.80 per share. SURTECO has forecast a modest increase in sales and an improvement in EBIT to EUR 38 - 42 million for 2016.

"In 2016, we will strive to achieve another modest increase in Group sales. Since the integration of Süddekor has now been largely completed, we believe that there are good opportunities to generate a significantly greater increase in earnings than in the previous year. Thanks to the quality of our balance sheet and the high level of free cash flow, we are in an excellent financial position for the planned future growth. In view of this, expectations of positive news from SURTECO over the upcoming years are undoubtedly justified," according to the Chairman of the Board of Management of SURTECO SE, Dr. Herbert Müller.

Increase in sales and earnings for both segments

The sales of the Strategic Business Unit Plastics improved by 7 % to EUR 243.7 million (2014: EUR 227.2 million) due to the introduction of new service offerings, innovative products and dynamic business in North America. The paper segment underwent a moderate rise of 1 % to EUR 394.7 million (2014: EUR 391.2 million). EBIT also went up substantially in both segments (papers +7 %, plastics +12 %) despite a sustained high level of raw material costs for papers and plastics. The integration of the Süddekor activities was largely completed during the year under review. Once again, this led to one-off burdens on earnings amounting to EUR 11.4 million.

Free cash flow increased by more than 50 % to EUR 40.7 million

In 2015, SURTECO once again succeeded in improving a balance sheet quality that was already very robust. Accordingly, the equity ratio once again rose slightly from 50.4 % to 51.0 %. The free cash flow climbed by 51 % from EUR 26.9 million to EUR 40.7 million on the back of operating improvements, and net financial debt fell by 13 % to EUR 126.6 million. The level of debt - defined as the ratio of net financial debt and equity - correspondingly came down by 7 percentage points to 38 %. This means that the Group has a sound platform for the growth trajectory being pursued by the company.

Further profitable growth is the focus for 2016

In view of the sound economic development and cautious optimism from the most important group of customers in the form of the furniture industry, SURTECO is forecasting a further slight improvement in sales for the Group for 2016. In spite of the sustained high costs of raw materials, the projected operating improvements should result in a notably disproportionate rise in earnings compared to the substantially lower one-off negative impacts from the integration of Süddekor. The Board of Management is therefore anticipating an increase in EBIT of EUR 31.1 million to a value between EUR 38 million and EUR 42 million. The Group also perceives additional potential for growth over the medium and long-term owing to the planned optimization of sales channels and structural improvements, alongside a stronger focus on innovations. Given the perspective of external growth, SURTECO will continue to pursue an active role in the consolidation of the sector.

You can find the Annual Report for 2015 and additional information on SURTECO SE on the Internet at www.surteco.com.

Profile of SURTECO
SURTECO SE, Buttenwiesen-Pfaffenhofen, is a leading international specialist for surface technologies. The product portfolio includes papers printed with decorative designs, impregnated products, release paers, decorative flat foils and edgebandings based on specialist papers for technical applications and plastics. The extensive product portfolio is completed by skirtings made of plastic, technical extrusions for industry and do-it-yourself ranges and shutter systems.
The Group currently has a workforce of appr. 2,700 and manufactures at 20 sites on four continents, currently generating approximately 29 % of sales in Germany, 44 % in European countries outside Germany and the remainder in America, Asia and Australia. Customers of SURTECO generally come from the wood based materials, flooring and furnishing industry and the interior industry.
The shares of SURTECO SE are listed on the official market (Prime Standard) of the Frankfurt and Munich Stock Exchanges under the ticker symbol SUR and ISIN DE0005176903. They are also traded on the stock markets in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart Hamburg and Hannover.

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements

This press release contains statements of future forecasts or expectations and other forward-looking statements and involves known and unknown risks and uncertainties. There is therefore no guarantee for the statements and expectations expressed herein. The actual results and developments may differ substantially. The company does not intend to - and assumes no obligation - to update any forward looking statements contained herein or to adapt such information to future results or developments.

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Important indicators of SURTECO SE
(in EUR million)

(1) Based on an number of shares amounting to 15,505,731

(2) For the business year 2015: Dividend proposal to the Annual General Meeting

(3) Net debt / Equity