DGAP-News: Berentzen-Gruppe AG

P R E S S R E L E A S E No. 18/2017
 

Berentzen-Gruppe Aktiengesellschaft
EUR 50 million corporate bond repaid
 

- Annual financing costs fall by more than EUR 2 million

- Positive effects on cash flow, net assets and earnings

- Considerable reduction in financial liabilities
 

Haselünne, October 18, 2017 - Berentzen-Gruppe Aktiengesellschaft, listed on the regulated market (General Standard) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ISIN: DE0005201602), today repaid its corporate bond (ISIN: DE000A1RE1V3) of EUR 50.0 million issued in 2012 at the end of the five-year term in accordance with the bond conditions. The repayment was made together with the last interest payment to the bond holders.

The Berentzen Group took advantage of the favourable interest rates back at the end of 2016 to secure partial refinancing of the bond by a syndicated loan with a financing scope of EUR 25.5 million. The corresponding financing agreement was concluded with a syndicate of banks headed up by Deutsche Postbank AG. "Thanks to our positive earnings situation and the related strong liquidity position, we were able to repay the other half of the bond using available equity", explains Ralf Brühöfner, Executive Board member of the Berentzen Group responsible for Finance and other areas.

"Today's repayment means that our annual financing costs will fall by more than EUR 2 million", Ralf Brühöfner continues. This is due, he says, to a financing volume that has been roughly halved, an optimised financing structure (because it is more flexible) and last but not least the more favourable interest rates for the syndicated loan. "Because of the lower amount of external financing and the attractive terms, there are direct positive effects both on cash flow and on earnings", Ralf Brühöfner is pleased to announce, going on to explain: "By reducing our financial liabilities, we also improve the structure of our balance sheet."

The Berentzen Group had issued the corporate bond in October 2012 with a term of five years, a fixed interest rate of 6.5% p.a. and a minimum investment of EUR 1,000.

"Today's repayment is a strong signal which demonstrates that we as a corporate group are on a solid footing. Unfortunately, the market disruptions of recent years mean that SME bonds are currently no longer advantageous. As a result, we are happy to have closed this chapter in our corporate financing", concludes Ralf Brühöfner.

About the Berentzen Group:
The Berentzen Group is a broad-based beverage company operating in the following three segments: Spirits, Non-alcoholic Beverages, and Fresh Juice Systems. The Berentzen Group is one of the oldest producers of spirits in Germany with a corporate history going back over 250 years. Today, it has a presence in more than 60 countries around the world with well-known brands like Berentzen and Puschkin and attractively priced private label products. In its Non-alcoholic Beverages segment, the corporate group produces mineral waters, carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks under its own brands and also boasts more than 50 years of experience in the franchise business for soft drinks, currently acting as franchisee for the Sinalco brand. In addition, the Berentzen Group markets innovative fresh juice systems under the Citrocasa brand in its third segment, thus serving the fast-growing market for modern, health-oriented drinks. The Berentzen-Gruppe Aktiengesellschaft share (ISIN DE0005201602) is listed on the regulated market (General Standard) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

For more information
www.berentzen-gruppe.de
www.berentzen.de

Berentzen-Gruppe Aktiengesellschaft
Thorsten Schmitt
Press and PR
Tel. +49 (0) 5961 502 215
pr@berentzen.de