(pressebox) (Düsseldorf, 2012-02-22) .
- Consolidated sales up 12% to €4,454 million
- Growth in Automotive and Defence sectors
- Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) up 19% to €354 million
- Earnings before taxes (EBT) increases by 29% to €295 million

Rheinmetall AG, based in Düsseldorf, achieved significant growth in sales and earnings in fiscal 2011. Preliminary consolidated earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) reached a new high at €354 million. Sales generated in the fiscal year total €4,454 million according to preliminary figures. Rheinmetall had recently forecast sales of €4.4 billion and EBIT between €340 million and €360 million.

Rheinmetall has expanded the sales volume in both sectors and reports growth of approximately 12% in fiscal 2011 compared with the previous year's figure of €3,989 million. There has been an even higher rise in earnings: EBIT climbed by €57 million from the €297 million figure achieved the previous year - an increase of 19%. Hence, the EBIT margin in the Group has improved from 7.4% (2010) to 7.9% in fiscal 2011. The Rheinmetall Group also achieved a new record in earnings before taxes (EBT) of €295 million. EBT is up €66 million or 29% year-on-year.

The Automotive sector excelled, with a very pleasant development in sales combined with a particularly positive growth in earnings. Automotive has boosted sales by €331 million or 17% to €2,313 million (2010: €1,982 million). The sector achieved an increase in EBIT of €70 million or 86%, which now totals €151 million (2010: €81 million).

In the year under review, sales in the Defence sector increased by 7% or €134 million to €2,141 million (2010: €2,007 million). At €223 million, EBIT is slightly down on the previous year's figure of €234 million. With an EBIT margin of 10.4% the Defence sector has again reached a high level.

Rheinmetall will publish its final figures for fiscal 2011 on March 21, 2012.