DGAP-News: RATIONAL AG / Key word(s): Quarter Results RATIONAL AG: Sales after exchange rate adjustments are at last year's level - Order intake up by 5 percent 30.04.2014 / 07:00 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Press release RATIONAL AG: Sales after exchange rate adjustments are at last year's level - Order intake up by 5 percent - Europe on course for growth - Forecast confirmed Landsberg, 30 April 2014 Professional-kitchen specialist RATIONAL has started fiscal year 2014 with sales at last year's level, after exchange rate adjustments. Negative currency effects mean that sales of 100.8 million euros are 3 percent down on last year's figure of 104.0 million euros. "Because order intake grew by 5 percent in the first quarter, we are entering the second quarter with a relatively high level of orders on hand", says Dr. Stadelmann, CEO of RATIONAL AG. Europe on course for growth Welcomed trends are evident in the established markets in Europe, where investments begun in 2013 to expand sales and marketing are having a positive effect. In Europe (excluding Germany) the company was able to grow sales revenues by 9 percent, despite relatively weak business in Russia. Germany, too, returned to growth, and was up 4 percent. "The reasons for this are both the measures mentioned to strengthen sales and marketing in the European market, and the growth stimulus for FRIMA's VarioCookingCenter MULTIFICIENCY(R) provided by the launch of a new table-top unit", explains Dr. Stadelmann. FRIMA experienced very good first three months, with growth of 18 percent. Subdued overseas markets Compared to the previous year, project business with large partners and chain customers was weaker. The strong end to 2013 and negative currency effects also impacted on the first quarter. Sales in the Americas and Asia regions were respectively 19 percent and 26 percent down on last year. 21 percent EBIT margin In the first quarter, the company posted an EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) of 20.7 million euros (2013: 24.7 million euros). The EBIT margin was 21 percent(2013: 24 percent). Forecast confirmed "Because of the continuing good market position of our products and services, our high level of customer satisfaction and the positive stimulus provided by the expansion of our sales and marketing activities, we can confirm our forecast of modest sales and earnings growth for fiscal year 2014", says Dr. Stadelmann. Contact person: RATIONAL Aktiengesellschaft Dr Peter Stadelmann Tel. +49 8191 327-3309 Fax +49 8191 327-272 E-mail: [email protected] www.rational-online.com Information for editors: Rational is the world market and technology leader for the thermal preparation of food in professional kitchens. The company, founded in 1973, employs more than 1,300 people, over 700 of whom are in Germany. Rational was floated in the Prime Standard of the German stock market in 2000 and is currently represented in the MDAX. The company's principal objective is to offer maximum customer benefit at all times. Internally RATIONAL is committed to the principle of sustainability, which is expressed in its policies on environmental protection, leadership, job security and social responsibility. Numerous international awards bear witness to the high quality of RATIONAL's work year on year.

                             Q1 2014       Q1 2013       Percentage change
Sales (in million EUR)         100.8         104.0                      -3
EBIT  (in million EUR)          20.7          24.7                     -16
EBT   (in million EUR)          20.6          24.6                     -16
EPS   (in EUR)                  1.38          1.64                     -16

End of Corporate News --------------------------------------------------------------------- 30.04.2014 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. DGAP's Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de --------------------------------------------------------------------- Language: English Company: RATIONAL AG Iglinger Straße 62 86899 Landsberg a. Lech Germany Phone: 0049 8191 327 2209 Fax: 0049 8191 327 722209 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.rational-online.com ISIN: DE0007010803 WKN: 701080 Indices: MDAX Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, München, Stuttgart End of News DGAP News-Service --------------------------------------------------------------------- 265269 30.04.2014