The Management Board of Leifheit AG, with Supervisory Board approval, has resolved the objectives and key elements of the FOCUS performance program, which includes position reductions, a new operating model, streamlined group structures, and targeted digitalization of key processes. The program is designed to reduce complexity, shorten decision-making processes, and lower the cost base long-term, aiming for sustainable improvement in competitiveness, profitability, and resilience.
CEO Alexander Reindler 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 close consultation with employee representatives. Leifheit currently employs about 960 people, with approximately 360 in Germany. The FOCUS program will show first positive effects in fiscal year 2027 and lead to sustainable annual cost savings of EUR 7.5 million from fiscal year 2028 onwards. Implementation costs are expected to total 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 faced a declining market and weak consumer sentiment. The group achieved preliminary turnover of EUR 116.3 million (H1 2025: EUR 123.4 million) and earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of EUR -2.7 million (H1 2025: EUR 2.0 million). Reindler commented: “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.”
Given the declining market and H1 business development, the Board of Management adjusted its turnover 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 the earlier forecast of slight growth. Earnings and free cash flow will be impacted by special items from the performance program. A group EBIT of EUR 0 million is now expected for full year 2026, down from the previous forecast of EUR 10.0 million. Excluding FOCUS program 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 performance program lays the foundations for sustainable profitability improvement.
More information on Leifheit is available online at www.leifheit-group.com, www.leifheit.de, and www.soehnle.de. View the original release on www.newmediawire.com.
