DGAP-News: RATIONAL AG / Key word(s): Quarter Results RATIONAL AG: Good performance in the first quarter of 2013 08.05.2013 / 10:30 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Press Release RATIONAL AG: Good performance in the first quarter of 2013 - 7 percent sales growth - 24 percent EBIT margin Landsberg, May 8, 2013 RATIONAL continued to grow in the first quarter of 2013. Sales rose 7 percent compared to the previous year, from 96.9 million euros to 104.0 million euros. Adjusted for the currency effect, sales growth stands at 8 percent. The performance of the business varied considerably, with sales at the previous year's level in Europe (including Germany) and growth rates of 6 percent in the Americas and 21 percent in Asia. The restrained start in Europe can be traced back to two essential factors. 'Firstly, due to macroeconomic uncertainties we have been very cautious about expanding our sales capacities here since 2010, and our growth has predominantly stemmed from efficiency increases. In addition, the market situation in the crisis-ridden countries of southern Europe remains tense', explains Dr. Günter Blaschke, CEO of RATIONAL AG. 24 percent EBIT margin EBIT stood at 24.7 million euros (2012: 22.9 million euros), giving an EBIT margin in the first quarter of 24 percent (2012: 24 percent) and EBIT growth of 8 percent compared to the previous year. Currency-adjusted EBIT rose by 10 percent. Earnings after tax improved by 9 percent from 17.2 million euros to 18.7 million euros compared to the previous year. This equates to earnings per share of 1.64 euros (2012: 1.51 euros). Targeted expansion of sales capacities In the first quarter of 2013, RATIONAL created 39 new jobs across the Group. The emphasis was on strengthening sales capacities, with the aim of selectively exploiting the untapped market potential. Growth expected to continue In recent years the Landsberg-based company has focused its investment activities on setting up and expanding the sales organisations in major emerging countries such as China, India and Latin America. 'Because current forecasts assume that Europe as a whole will emerge from recession this year, we have increasingly started to expand our capacities here, too. Against the backdrop of current business trends and the economic environment we are assuming a high single-digit growth rate for fiscal year 2013, regarding both sales and earnings', explains Dr. Blaschke. Contact: RATIONAL Aktiengesellschaft Dr. Günter Blaschke Tel. +49 (0)8191 327-364 Fax +49 (0)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 around 1,300 people, of which more than 700 are in Germany. Since the IPO in 2000 RATIONAL was floated in the Prime Standard on the German stock market and is currently listed on the MDAX. The company's principal objective is to offer customers maximum benefit. Internally RATIONAL is committed to the principle of sustainability, expressed in its policies on environmental protection, leadership, occupational safety and social responsibility. Numerous international awards bear witness year on year to the high quality of RATIONAL's work.

                          Q1 2013         Q1 2012         Change in percent
Sales  (in m EUR)           104.0            96.9                        +7
EBIT  (in m EUR)             24.7            22.9                        +8
EBT   (in m EUR)             24.6            22.9                        +7
EPS   (in EUR)               1.64            1.51                        +9

End of Corporate News --------------------------------------------------------------------- 08.05.2013 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory 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 --------------------------------------------------------------------- 209801 08.05.2013