• Sales up 31%
• Earnings up 63%
• World market share up from 49% to 51%
• International Awards for the world's first SelfCooking Center^®

Landsberg, November 4, 2004.
The extraordinarily high level of acceptance for the world's first SelfCooking Center^® is impressively reflected in sales growth in the 3rd quarter of 2004. Sales rose significantly by 31 percent from 45.0 million euros to 58.9 million euros. In the first nine months of 2004 sales stand at 156.6 million euros, 18 percent above the previous year.

Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of 16.5 million euros (previous year 10.1 million euros) in the 3rd quarter of 2004 were up 63 percent, a well above average rise. The EBIT margin is 28.0 percent (previous year 23 percent), giving an EBIT for the first 9 months of 2004 of 35.3 million euros. This is 27 percent up on the previous year's figure of 27.8 million euros.

The largest absolute contribution to group growth comes from European export business. In the first 9 months sales here rose by 11.6 million euros to 82.7 million euros. In the strategically key American market too, the positive trend continued, with sales growth of 28 percent in the 3rd quarter of 2004.

Thanks to the successful performance of the business in practically all parts of the world, RATIONAL was able to further increase its market share in the first 9 months of 2004 from 49 percent to 51 percent.

For its forward-looking innovative performance RATIONAL won several international awards in 2004: Germany's "GASTRO INNOVATIONSPREIS", the US's "MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR" and France's "GRAND PRIX APRIA 2004".

For 2004 as a whole the company anticipates that it will achieve or even exceed the planned sales increase of 10 percent to 205 million euros and the planned increase in earnings by 10 percent to 47 million euros.

Information for editors:
Rational is the world market and technology leader for the thermal preparation of food in professional kitchens. The company, founded in 1973, employs more than 700 people, over 450 of whom are in Germany. Rational was floated on the German stock market in 2000 and is currently represented in the SDAX. Since their issue, Rational shares have risen in price by around 150 per cent, making them one of the leading German shares.

The company's principal objective is to offer customers maximum benefit at all times. Internally Rational is committed to the principle of sustainability, expressed in its policies on environmental protection, leadership and social responsibility. Numerous awards such as "Best Factory", "Product of the Year" and "Global Excellence in Operations" bear witness to the high level of Rational's work.