The Management Board of Leifheit AG, with Supervisory Board approval, has resolved the objectives and key elements of the FOCUS performance program, aimed at sustainably improving profitability. The program includes position reductions, a new operating model, streamlined group structures, and targeted digitalization of key processes to reduce complexity, shorten decision-making, and lower the cost base long-term.
Alexander Reindler, CEO of Leifheit AG, stated: “We are realigning the Leifheit Group to a structurally changed market environment. This requires short-term adjustments to our organization in order to be more successful in the long term. With FOCUS, we are making Leifheit simpler, faster, and more customer focused. We aim to increase our effectiveness and, with an agile organization, lay the groundwork for sustainable, profitable growth.” The organizational changes will require a group-wide reduction of up to 70 positions, implemented in stages and in consultation with employee representatives. The Leifheit Group currently employs about 960 people, approximately 360 of whom are in Germany.
The FOCUS program is expected to show first positive effects in fiscal year 2027 and lead to sustainable recurring annual cost savings of EUR 7.5 million from FY 2028 onward. Implementation is expected to incur total personnel and other operating expenses of up to EUR 9.6 million, of which approximately EUR 5.4 million will impact earnings in 2026.
Preliminary figures for the first half of 2026 show the Leifheit Group achieved turnover of EUR 116.3 million (H1 2025: EUR 123.4 million) and EBIT of EUR –2.7 million (H1 2025: EUR 2.0 million), reflecting a declining market and weak consumer sentiment. CEO Reindler noted: “Our business development in the second quarter fell short of our expectations. This makes it even more important for us to act decisively now: With FOCUS, we are improving the Group’s operational efficiency and resilience. At the same time, we are consistently driving forward our strategic growth initiatives - through innovations in our core segments, such as the expansion of our successful Black Line and the launch of the Pegasus Rock Solid standing dryer, as well as enhanced marketing activities in collaboration with our retail partners.”
Against this backdrop, the Board of Management has adjusted its forecast for full year 2026. Group turnover is now expected to be slightly below the previous year’s figure of EUR 236.2 million, compared to previous expectations of slight growth. Group EBIT is now expected at EUR 0 million (previously at the prior year’s level of EUR 10.0 million), due to special items from the performance program. Excluding these effects, EBIT before special items is expected at EUR 5.4 million. Free cash flow is now expected at EUR 0 million, versus the previous forecast of EUR 6.4 million. The FOCUS program lays the foundation for sustainable improvement in the Group’s profitability.
More information on Leifheit is available online at www.leifheit-group.com, www.leifheit.de, and www.soehnle.de.
