N@N

REXEL : INVESTOR DAY - REXEL PRESENTS ITS STRATEGIC ROADMAP

^{Published on 2009-12-03 22:50:55 - Market Wire}
 

PARIS--(Marketwire - December 4, 2009) - Rexel, a world leader in the distribution of electrical supplies, is holding an Investor Day in Lyon today. During this meeting, which includes a field trip showcasing its French operations, Rexel will update the market on the Group's growth strategy.

Rexel will present its strategic roadmap, which aims at consolidating the Group's market leadership by:

- Capturing market opportunities through a strong focus on well- identified growth drivers. By focusing efforts and resources on energy efficiency, renewable energy solutions and by providing value-added services to large-scale projects, Rexel aims to generate additional annual sales of around EUR 400 million by 2012. In addition, Rexel intends to continue leading the consolidation of the global electrical-supply market through acquisitions that aim either at increasing the Group's market share in the mature European and North American markets or expanding its presence in emerging markets, particularly China, South-East Asia and India.

- Upgrading its business model to continue Rexel's evolution towards higher value-added services. By developing its multi-channel offer and achieving greater back-office rationalization, Rexel will free up resources to provide its clients with customized solutions.

- Enhancing profitability in selected markets. By better capitalizing on its dual network in the United States and improving the performance of selected European assets acquired from Hagemeyer, Rexel can leverage its leadership position to enhance profitability.

- Continuing the deleveraging and strengthening of its balance-sheet. After increasing its financial flexibility through covenant renegotiation last July and significantly reducing its indebtedness, Rexel is considering the possibility of tapping the bond market in the near-term, market conditions permitting, in order to extend the maturity of its financing.

Outlook

During the Investor Day, Rexel will update the market on its 2009 outlook:

Full-year sales should be in the range of EUR 11.2 billion to EUR 11.3 billion

Adjusted EBITA margin should be close to 4.0%

Net debt at year-end should be below EUR 2.5 billion, down by at least EUR 400 million year-on-year

Over the medium-term, in a stabilized environment, Rexel should post organic growth of at least 1 percentage point above the GDP of the regions in which the Group operates, significantly improve its profitability and generate a sustained level of free cash flow before interest and tax.

Jean-Charles Pauze, Chairman of the Management Board and CEO, said:

"Rexel has a clear medium-term roadmap to seize opportunities as markets progressively improve. Rexel's teams and resources are fully mobilized to implement our strategy and provide our clients with the value-added services and solutions which will drive our profitable growth and further reinforce our market leadership."

Financial information

A slideshow of the presentations held during the Investor Day will be available on the Company's website at 12pm (CET time).

Calendar

February 11, 2010: Fourth-quarter and full-year 2009 results.

For further information, please contact:

 +-------------------------+--------------------+ |Financial Analysts / |Press | |Investors | | +-------------------------+--------------------+ |Marc Maillet | Pénélope Linage| +-------------------------+--------------------+ |( +33 1 42 85 76 12 | ( +33 1 42 85 76 28| +-------------------------+--------------------+ |[ mmaillet@rexel.com ] | [ plinage@rexel.com ]| +-------------------------+--------------------+ | | Brunswick| +-------------------------+--------------------+ | | Thomas Kamm| +-------------------------+--------------------+ | | ( +33 1 53 96 83 92| +-------------------------+--------------------+ | |tkamm@brunswickgroup| | |.com | +-------------------------+--------------------+ 

This information is provided by HUGIN