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After a slow beginning of the year, Gurit sees a stable upwards trend during the first three months of 2023. We expect ongoing growth in the Marine and Industrial markets, further growth in the Chinese wind market and reduced demand for rotor blades from Western wind customers in 2023.

Composite Materials achieved net sales of CHF 79.5 million for the first quarter of 2023. This increase of 36.2% at constant exchange rates compared to the first quarter of 2022 contains a contribution of CHF 27.9 million from Structural Profiles (Fiberline Composites), where Gurit acquired a 60% majority stake in May 2022. Adjusted for this acquisition, sales declined 11.5%, negatively impacted by an expected slow start into the year in wind materials.

Kitting recorded net sales of CHF 33.7 million for the first quarter of 2023. This is an increase of 2.7% at constant exchange rates compared to the first quarter of the prior year. Kitting net sales achieved good volumes in China but continues to be impacted by the reduced demand for wind blades, primarily for Western customers.

Manufacturing Solutions (Tooling) significantly increased its first quarter 2023 net sales by 24.1% at constant exchange rates to CHF 12.6 million, driven by new mould demand for Western customers which is expected to continue in the course of 2023.

Outlook
After a low start, Gurit experienced a positive trend both in sales volume and earnings in the last month of the first quarter. Gurit’s guidance for 2023 remains with expected net sales of 450–510 million CHF and an operating profit margin of 2–5% excluding M&A effects, restructuring and impairment charges.

Annual General Meeting of Shareholders
The Annual General Meeting today approved all motions proposed by the Board of Directors. Due to the significant funds required and the resulting debt level from the strategic acquisition of 60% of the Structural Profiles (Fiberline) business in 2022 and the current level of profitability, Gurit does not pay out a dividend in 2023 and will instead use the funds to reduce the debt level of the company further.

The AGM voting results will be published on Gurit’s Investor Relations webpage under the following link: http://www.gurit.com/…

Gurit Half-Year 2023 Report
Gurit will publish its half-year report 2023 on August 16, 2023 at 07:00 AM CEST. Management will also discuss the results at a joint media and analyst conference on August 16, 2023, at 09:00 AM CEST. For up-to-date information on Gurit`s financial calendar, please visit https://www.gurit.com/Investors/Events

Forward-looking statements:
To the extent that this announcement contains forward-looking statements, such statements are based on assumptions, planning and forecasts at the time of publication of this announcement. Forward-looking statements always involve uncertainties. Business and economic risks and developments, the conduct of competitors, political decisions and other factors may cause the actual results to be materially different from the assumptions, planning and forecasts at the time of publication of this announcement. Therefore, Gurit Holding AG does not assume any responsibility relating to forward-looking statements contained in this announcement.

 Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR