For press enquiries:
Rücker AG
Irina Winkelmann
Head of Marketing & Communications
Kreuzberger Ring 40, 65205 Wiesbaden
Phone: +49 611 73 75-0
Fax: +49 611 73 75-259
irina.winkelmann@ruecker.de
Rücker AG is optimistic about the future
Gratifying look back at the year at the 2008 annual general meeting- Turnover and yield drops this year - Savings of 5 million planned for this year - In the medium term the market is expected to revert to growth
Wiesbaden, 09 June 2009
The chairman Wolfgang Rücker and financial director Juergen Vogt reported on one of the best years for turnover and profits for Rücker AG at the 2008 annual general meeting of the publicly quoted engineering group in Wiesbaden. Juergen Vogt stated that in the 2008 financial year turnover climbed 4.4 percent to a new best of 176.3 million Euros. Group profits increased 18 percent to 11.0 million Euros. Group EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) thus grew at a much better rate than turnover. Group net income 2008 was 6.5 million Euros, a year-on-year increase of 44% (2007: 4.5 million Euros). With an equity ratio of 38.6 percent Rücker AG is in an excellent position compared to other medium-sized companies, the financial director said. Profit per share was 0.75 Euros compared to 0.51 Euro in 2007. The annual average number of employees was 2,532.
Wolfgang Rücker commented on the outstanding figures for the 2008 financial to the shareholders at the meeting chaired by supervisory board chairman Tomas Mielert. "The Rücker group was very successful in 2008. Our technological expertise, specialisation on virtual production development and the professionalism with which we render our goods and services were once again decisive in achieving these excellent results". He went on to state that this success was primarily due to increased orders from one major client. The model ranges and product offensives of manufacturers offered a solid foundation for the highly satisfactory course of business over the year. To ensure shareholders had an appropriate share in this success Rücker AG will pay a tax-free dividend for 2008 of 0.30 Euros per share. With a dividend quota of about 60 percent Rücker AG is "Undoubtedly a high-dividend company", said Juergen Vogt. "Dividend profit of over 7 percent makes us a top investment when the tax effects are considered".
After a positive 2008 the effects of the international financial and economic crisis have negatively affected our business since 2009 began. In his 2009 predictions Wolfgang Rücker said that this has already led to a fall in orders and delays in projects. In the first quarter of the year there have been major deviations year-on-year. Turnover and yield have dropped significantly this year. The group, Wolfgang Rücker said, reacted in good time to this difficult situation and took comprehensive preventive and precautionary measures to adjust costs and stabilise yield. These measures include reducing sub-contracting, personnel costs and fixed costs, cancelling investments and introducing short-time work and represent total savings of 5 million Euros. Wolfgang Rücker is optimistic about the future. "The market for engineering goods and services in the automobile industry is characterised by medium and long term high growth opportunities despite current turbulence". He considers that the aviation industry offers good medium term opportunities for his group in view of the many tailored design and construction needs of makers and international airlines and the predicted rise in passenger figures which will lead to demand for new aircraft.
Wolfgang Rücker commented on the outstanding figures for the 2008 financial to the shareholders at the meeting chaired by supervisory board chairman Tomas Mielert. "The Rücker group was very successful in 2008. Our technological expertise, specialisation on virtual production development and the professionalism with which we render our goods and services were once again decisive in achieving these excellent results". He went on to state that this success was primarily due to increased orders from one major client. The model ranges and product offensives of manufacturers offered a solid foundation for the highly satisfactory course of business over the year. To ensure shareholders had an appropriate share in this success Rücker AG will pay a tax-free dividend for 2008 of 0.30 Euros per share. With a dividend quota of about 60 percent Rücker AG is "Undoubtedly a high-dividend company", said Juergen Vogt. "Dividend profit of over 7 percent makes us a top investment when the tax effects are considered".
After a positive 2008 the effects of the international financial and economic crisis have negatively affected our business since 2009 began. In his 2009 predictions Wolfgang Rücker said that this has already led to a fall in orders and delays in projects. In the first quarter of the year there have been major deviations year-on-year. Turnover and yield have dropped significantly this year. The group, Wolfgang Rücker said, reacted in good time to this difficult situation and took comprehensive preventive and precautionary measures to adjust costs and stabilise yield. These measures include reducing sub-contracting, personnel costs and fixed costs, cancelling investments and introducing short-time work and represent total savings of 5 million Euros. Wolfgang Rücker is optimistic about the future. "The market for engineering goods and services in the automobile industry is characterised by medium and long term high growth opportunities despite current turbulence". He considers that the aviation industry offers good medium term opportunities for his group in view of the many tailored design and construction needs of makers and international airlines and the predicted rise in passenger figures which will lead to demand for new aircraft.
Rücker AG – the publicly quoted engineering group
Its current chairman Wolfgang Rücker founded the Rücker group of Wiesbaden, Germany, in 1970. It went public in 2000 and is now a leading globally active supplier of technical development goods and services to the world's aviation and automotive industries. Virtual goods and services in the bodywork, interior and electrical systems development fields are supplied to all the well-known names in the global automotive industry.
In aviation the company offers goods and services ranging from styling aircraft interiors via concept development and the creation of models and prototypes to the calculation of fuselages and wings as well as entire cabin furnishing schemes.
Rücker AG employed 2,200 people - nearly all engineers - on 31 March 2009 at 35 locations in 18 countries.
In the 2008 financial year turnover was 176.3 million € (+ 4.4 % compared to 2007). Group earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) climbed in 2008 by 18 percent to 11.0 million Euros. Group profits grew disproportionately well last year by 44 percent to 6.5 million Euros.
In aviation the company offers goods and services ranging from styling aircraft interiors via concept development and the creation of models and prototypes to the calculation of fuselages and wings as well as entire cabin furnishing schemes.
Rücker AG employed 2,200 people - nearly all engineers - on 31 March 2009 at 35 locations in 18 countries.
In the 2008 financial year turnover was 176.3 million € (+ 4.4 % compared to 2007). Group earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) climbed in 2008 by 18 percent to 11.0 million Euros. Group profits grew disproportionately well last year by 44 percent to 6.5 million Euros.