Solid H1 performance despite COVID-19

Strategic initiatives on track

Financial results H1 2020 versus H1 2019
• Revenue slightly up (+0.4%) to €1,853 million
• Normalized EBITDA increased by 3.1% to €124 million
• Normalized EBITDA margin increased from 6.5% to 6.7%

BME Group reported normalized EBITDA levels in H1 2020 above last year (+3.1%) despite the COVID-19 impact. This crisis impacted several of our markets, particularly France, Austria, Switzerland, and Belgium where lockdown measures required store closures for parts of the first and second quarter.

The impact of the slow-down in these countries has been compensated by strong performance across our businesses in Germany and the Netherlands, through strict cost control and by solid progress on our strategic initiatives, particularly in the areas of Commercial Excellence and Procurement.

Our strategic initiatives including M&A remain a key focus for the group, exemplified by the completion of the acquisition of the Detering Group at the end of July, strengthening our market position for Sanitary, Heating & Plumbing (SHAP) in Germany.

In the early stages of the unfolding of the COVID-19 crisis, we activated a Group COVID-19 crisis team. This team implemented actions and measures across the Operating Companies driven by new regulations and customer requirements, which remain in place following the reopening of branches and showrooms. We continue to closely monitor the situation in each market. Our highest priority remains protecting our employees and customers.