DGAP-News: Masterflex AG: strong core business in the first half of 2008


Masterflex AG / Half Year Results/Miscellaneous

15.08.2008 

Release of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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Masterflex AG: strong core business in the first half of 2008 
New strategy and value adjustment key factors in half-year report
Executive Board affirms operating forecast for EBIT 2008: +6% to +12% 

   IFRS  30 June 2008 30 June 2007 +/- in %
 in brackets: operating development without adjustments
Revenue (€ thou.) 69,498      63,662     9.2%
EBITDA (€ thou.)   7,987 (8.370)  7,764     2.9% (7.8%)
EBIT (€ thou.)     4,457 (6.797)  6,263   -28.8% (8.5%)
EBT (€ thou.)     -3,152 (5.253)  5,166  -161.0% (1.7%)
Consolidated 
net profit after
minorities        -2,469 (3.604)  3,170  -177.9% (13.7%)
Earnings 
per share (€)     -0.55 (0.80)   0.71   -177.5% (12.7%)
EBIT margin        6.4% (9.8%)   9.8% 
Net profit margin  -3.6% (5.2%)   5.0% 
Number of employees     758      785     -3.4%
        30.06.2008 31.12.2007 +/- in %
 in brackets: operating development without adjustments
Shareholders’
equity (€ thou.)  28,252 (34,324)  34,772  -18.8% (-1.3%)
Total 
assets (€ thou.) 129,554 (135,426)130,087   -0.4% (4.1%)
Equity ratio (%)   21.8% (25.4%)   26.7%   -18.4% (-4.9%)


Gelsenkirchen, 15 August 2008. Masterflex AG (ISIN DE0005492938) is
concentrating on its superior technology expertise and will focus on
developing and processing complex connection and hose systems using
innovative high-tech plastics.

In the first half-year of 2008, consolidated revenues increased 9.2%
year-on-year to €69.5 million (HY1 2007: €63.7 million). The development of
consolidated income was influenced by the value adjustment resolved at the
beginning of July 2008, which has already been included in the financial
statements for the half-year in line with IFRS. In operating terms,
business developed positively, with all key earnings ratios improving.

Consolidated earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) increased by 8.5% to
€6.8 million (HY1 2007: €6.3 million), thus being well within the forecast
corridor. With an upturn of 74.0%, the Group’s core High-Tech Hose Systems
business unit contributed most to the positive earnings trend. The
operating segment EBIT improved by 9.1% to €5 million.

With its focus on High-Tech Hose Systems, the Masterflex Executive Board is
convinced it is on the right track. In July 2008, the High-Tech Hose
Systems business unit posted a new order record. In view of this positive
situation and the pleasing operating trend, the Masterflx AG Executive
Board affirmed its whole-year guidance for Group operating EBIT of between
6% and 12%.

In addition to the successful continuation of operating activities,
Masterflex AG will develop a strong financing concept to improve its equity
structure on a sustained basis. As announced, this includes targeted
disinvestments.

The interim report for HY1/2008 can be downloaded from the website at
www.masterflex.de.

For more information please contact: Masterflex AG, Investor Relations,
Willy-Brandt-Allee 300, 45891 Gelsenkirchen, Tel. +49 (0)209 97077 44, Fax
+49 (0)209 97077 20, stephanie.kniep@masterflex.de
DGAP 15.08.2008 
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Language:     English
Issuer:       Masterflex AG
              Willy-Brandt-Allee 300
              45891 Gelsenkirchen
              Deutschland
Phone:        +49 (0)2099 70 77-44
Fax:          +49 (0)2099 70 77-20
E-mail:       stephanie.kniep@masterflex.de
Internet:     www.masterflex.de
ISIN:         DE0005492938
WKN:          549 293
Indices:      Prime all share
Listed:       Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr
              in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, München, Stuttgart
End of News                                     DGAP News-Service
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