RATIONAL AG: Turnover of 1 billion euro for the first time in the company’s history

For the first time in its 50-year history, RATIONAL, the specialist in hot food preparation, achieved a group turnover of just over 1 billion euro in the 2022 financial year with its two iVario and iCombi cooking system lines. This corresponds to an increase of 31 percent compared to the previous year ( 780 million euro).

“This pleasing development was due to the full order book in light of the positive business development, combined with the sufficient supply of electronic components in the second half of the year to reduce the high backlog in orders,” says Peter Stadelmann, CEO of RATIONAL AG.

Both product groups contributed to the growth. In the iCombi product group, sales growth of 28 percent compared to the previous year is expected thanks to the good parts availability in the second half of the year. Sales in the iVario product group grew particularly well, with growth amounting to 57 percent.

The American markets stood out in terms of sales development, with disproportionately high growth rates. Overall, almost all markets performed well. Markus Paschmann, CSMO of RATIONAL AG, says: “This unique success was made possible through the focus on customer benefit, together with long partnerships with suppliers and dealers and the tireless efforts of the employees.”

“Profit after taxes and interest (EBIT) is expected toamount to around 237 million euro, which is also a record value,” adds Jörg Walter, CFO of RATIONAL AG. This extraordinary profitability confirms that the iCombi and the iVario offer maximum customer benefit and that the 2,367 employees worldwide show exemplary commitment to the company and its customers. “To show further appreciation for the performance of our employees, we paid out a global inflation compensation bonus in 2022 – 2,000 euro per capita in Germany – and for everyone who is at least in their second full year of service, as usual a voluntary special payment in the amount of one month’s salary,” explains Peter Stadelmann.

The company will provide detailed information on the 2022 financial year, including the forecast for financial year 2023, on 28 March 2023 with the publication of the annual report and the annual press conference. The company further announced that the Supervisory Board has decided that Markus Paschmann will take over as deputy for CEO Peter Stadelmann from January 1, 2023, as part of the age-related succession plan for Peter Wiedemann, who will continue in his position as COO until the end of 2024.