PRESSEINFORMATION · PRESS RELEASE

COMMUNIQUÉ DE PRESSE · COMUNICADO DE PRENSA

INFORMAÇOES PARA A IMPRENSA

Review on 2012/13 and outlook:

Faber-Castell sales figures continued to grow in business year

2012/13

The Faber-Castell Group was able to post an increase of 3.5% during the last fiscal year

2012/13; however it is gearing up for an increasingly difficult market environment.

Stein, 21 October 2013. After a strong first half year, even Faber-Castell is starting to feel a

weakening of demand in several major markets in the second half of business year 2012/13.

Nevertheless, the Group was able to end the fiscal year with a growth in sales of 3.5%.

Growth in the Asia market was in the double digits providing some tailwind, while Latin

America was just slightly higher than the previous year due to a weak fourth quarter and

depreciating currencies. Growth in Europe was positive thanks to strong individual markets

such as Germany and Turkey, while Italy and Spain have not yet been able to extricate

themselves from the financial crisis.

With total sales of EUR 590.4 million in the previous business year 2012/13, the Group was

able to increase sales by 3.5% over the previous year. Adjusted for currency effects, growth

amounted to 5.0%.

Writing and Drawing segment

Sales within all fields of competence, with the exception of the Premium segment, were able

to post gains. The decline in the premium business is mainly attributed to a lack of sales from

major Southern European markets.

The individual key markets developed as follows:

• Europe/North America +4.1%

• Latin America +0.3%

• Asia/Pacific +12.5%

Faber-Castell was able to maintain a good position in the German market. Even Austria and

Switzerland recorded pleasant growth of 8% and 3%. Faber-Castell USA gained 9% in the

local currency. The corporate gift business was stagnate over the the previous year's level.

The important Brazilian company was able to expand its overall business in the local currency

by 7% compared to the previous year. However, the sales trend measured in euros is -3%.

This is due to a 10% depreciation of the Brazilian real compared to the previous year.

In Argentina, Chile, Peru and Columbia, the sales companies again had gains in the local

currency. The subsidiary in Mexico, however, was still not able to meet sales expectations.

The Asia/Pacific region once again showed above-average growth. In particular, the

production companies in Malaysia and Indonesia recorded significant sales increases.

Cosmetics segment

Sales in the Cosmetics segment were slightly less than the previous year in BY 2012/13.

However, with new production facilities in Brazil and innovative products, Faber-Castell

plans additional growth steps in Europe and in the emerging region of Latin America.

Earnings situation / Investments

The Faber-Castell Group generated pre-tax earnings of EUR 24.2 million in business year

2012/13 (PY: EUR 33.3 million). One-time effects and risk provisions together with

relocations of production to Asia and Latin America have already been taken into account in

the earnings. Investments during the business year totalled EUR 28.6 million (previous year

EUR 31.9 million).

Development of employee numbers worldwide / in Germany

In business year 2012/13, there were an average of 7500 employees worldwide. In Germany,

this number remained stable at approx. 1100.

Results from the first half of 2013/14 and the outlook for the business year

Due to depreciating currencies in Latin America and Asia/Pacific, gross sales are behind the

previous year -9% after the traditionally weak first half of the year. However, when adjusted

for currency effects, the decrease is only -1.8%.

Faber-Castell expects a more difficult environment in several world markets. The reasons for

this are declines in demand, strong currency fluctuations in Latin America and Asia, as well

as changes to the commercial landscape in Europe. However, thanks to the global alignment

of the Group, with its 14 plants worldwide and 25 international sales companies, Faber-

Castell believes it is well positioned. The global market strategy, which focuses on premium

products as well as valuable creative products for children and adults, takes into account the

mega-trends towards school/eduction and leisure/wellness. The Group will continue to focus

on expanding market positions in Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe.

Faber-Castell expects constant growth curves for the current business year with sales growth

of approx. 3% with expanding sales ratios as well as structural improvements to key balance

sheet figures.

Further information:

Sandra Suppa

Head of Corporate Communications

Faber-Castell AG

Press-office@faber-castell.de

Tel: +49 (0)911 9965-5538