RATIONAL decides on orderly exit from the Russian market.

On 1 June 2022, the Supervisory Board and Management Board of RATIONAL AG unanimously decided to discontinue business operations in Russia and to close the sales company there by the end of 2022. With this decision, Rational is resopnding to the economic and political developments resulting from the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine. The withdrawal will take place in an orderly manner in order to meet ongoing customer and staff obligations. RATIONAL will also fulfill its responsibility towards the affected employees in Ukraine, whose livelihoods are in some cases threatened by the consequences of the war.

RATIONAL already suspended the delivery of units to Russia of its own accord at the beginning of March. With the fifth sanctions package, these were also prohibited by the legislator from April 2022 onwards. RATIONAL is, of course, fully complying with these export bans and assumes that the sanctions will remain in place in the long term.

CEO Peter Stadelmann notes: "The withdrawal from the Russian market will be gradual and orderly in order to best meet ongoing commitments to local customers and partners." These include, for example, the supply of spare parts and cleaners, the securing of warranty services and service provision or the amicable termination of ongoing contractual relationships. The necessary steps are now being planned and should be completed by the end of 2022.

RATIONAL will take an equally responsible approach to the separation from the affected employees in Russia. "It is a difficult step for us to part with our Russian employees," says Peter Stadelmann and adds: "Because these people have been a reliable and valued part of our team for years."

For the employees affected in Ukraine, RATIONAL set up a crisis team as soon as the war began and took comprehensive measures to bring employees and their families to safety, protect them and provide for them.

Economically, RATIONAL currently assumes that the loss of the Russian market will not have a significant impact on the business result.