METALL ZUG AG Metall Zug AGIndustriestrasse 66 PO Box 59 CH-6301 Zug Phone +41 41 748 10 20 Fax +41 41 748 10 29
Press release dated January 12, 2015 Accelerated restructuring of Belimed - Metall Zug's operating income on a par with previous year Zug, January 12, 2015 - Belimed is streamlining its structures as part of the ongoing restructuring measures. This structural adjustment will be carried out over a period of two years. Despite the provisions made for restructuring costs, the Metall Zug Group expects operating income for the business year 2014 to be on a par with the previous year together with a rise in sales. Close-down of the Belimed production site in BallwilThe current structures of the Belimed Group have evolved over the years. They are complex and costly and no longer meet the requirements of today's market and the exchange rate situation. The planned restructuring measures include focusing the two sites at Mühldorf (D) and Sulgen (CH) on the Life Science Business Area and the closure of the Ballwil (CH) site. This involves transferring the production of cleaning and disinfection equipment of the Medical Business Area from Mühldorf and Ballwil to Grosuplje (SLO). Belimed also plans to relocate administrative and technical functions close to the group companies in Zug in mid-2015, which is expected to enable certain synergies to be exploited in development, training and test laboratories. The production employees affected in Ballwil are to be offered alternative positions within the Metall Zug Group wherever possible. The process will be initiated stepwise at the beginning of 2015 and completed towards the end of 2016. Consultations will be held with the competent employee representatives in connection with these restructuring measures in the near future.
Clear structures for BelimedIn the future, Belimed will have three production sites which will focus on their respective specialist areas. Grosuplje will manufacture all products for the Medical Business Area and all components for the Life Science Business Area. The Mühldorf and Sulgen sites will become assembly units for the Life Science Business Area. In addition, various administrative and service functions for the respective national organization will remain in Mühldorf and Sulgen. After completion of these structural changes, the Ballwil site is expected to close down at the end of 2016 and a new utilization will be found for these premises at the centre of Ballwil.
Metall Zug's 2014 operating income on a par with the previous yearIt is envisaged that provisions will be made in the 2014 income statement for the majority of the costs for the planned structural adjustments at Belimed. Owing to the further rise in operating income of the Household Appliances and Wire Processing Business Units, despite these restructuring costs, the Metall Zug Group expects operating income for 2014 to be on a par with the previous year (CHF 69.8 million). Further details will be announced at the annual media conference on March 26, 2015.
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Sales growth for the Metall Zug Group
Although the Infection Control Business Unit recorded a decline in sales in 2014, the Metall Zug
Group generated modest sales growth in 2014.
The Belimed Group (Infection Control Business Unit) is one of the leading global suppliers of innovative cleaning, disinfection and sterilization solutions for medical and life science applications. Belimed has some 1 150 employees in 11 countries and is represented by a network of sales subsidiaries and autonomous business partners in more than 80 countries.
About the Metall Zug GroupMetall Zug AG focuses on its three core businesses and is managed as an industrial group. It is headquartered in Zug and has a staff of around 3 500 employees. The Household Appliances Business Unit includes the Swiss market leader V-ZUG AG and its foreign subsidiaries, V-ZUG Kühltechnik AG, SIBIRGroup AG and Gehrig Group AG. The Infection Control Business Unit is represented by the Belimed Group, and the Schleuniger Group makes up the Wire Processing Business Unit. The holding company Metall Zug AG is listed in the Domestic Standard of SIX Swiss Exchange in Zurich (series B registered shares: securities number 3 982 108, ticker symbol METN).
DisclaimerPlease note that any expectations expressed in this press release are based on assumptions. Actual results may vary from those anticipated. This press release is published in German and English. The German version shall be binding.
Key dates
March 26, 2015 Annual media conference
May 1, 2015 General meeting of shareholders
Marcel Müller Daniel Keist
Corporate Communications & IR Chief Financial Officer
Phone: +41 41 748 10 20 Phone: +41 41 748 10 20 www.metallzug.ch
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