Wuppertal, 25 May 2011 – GESCO Group recorded strong growth in financial year 2010/2011 (1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011) and significantly increased sales and earnings. According to the as yet unapproved figures, Group sales came to € 335.2 million (previous year: € 277.7 million), Group net income after minority interest to € 15.3 million (€ 8.9 million) and earnings per share pursuant to IFRS to € 5.05 (€ 2.95).

These figures slightly exceed the last increased guidance from February 2011, which forecast Group sales of € 334 million and Group net income after minority interest of € 15 million.

Based on these preliminary figures, the Executive Board plans to propose a dividend of € 2.00 per share. The dividend would therefore be around 54 % up on the previous year’s distribution of € 1.30.

The financial statements for 2010/2011 and the guidance for financial year 2011/2012 will be announced at the accounts press conference and analysts’ meeting on 7 June 2011.

The content of this press release was published in identical wording in an ad hoc report on 24 May 2011 after the close of the stock market.