The Management Board of Leifheit AG, with Supervisory Board approval, has resolved the key elements of the FOCUS performance program to sustainably improve profitability, competitiveness, and resilience. The program includes position reductions, a new operating model, streamlined Group structures, and targeted digitalization to reduce complexity, shorten decision-making, and lower the cost base.
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."
The organizational changes will require a Group-wide reduction of up to 70 positions, implemented in stages with employee representatives. Leifheit Group currently employs about 960 people, with approximately 360 in Germany. The program is expected to generate annual cost savings of approximately EUR 7.5 million from 2028 onward, with first positive effects in 2027. Implementation costs are estimated at up to EUR 9.6 million, of which about EUR 5.4 million will impact 2026 earnings.
Preliminary figures for the first half of 2026 show Group 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. 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." Growth initiatives continue, including innovations like the Black Line expansion and the Pegasus Rock Solid standing dryer, plus enhanced marketing with retail partners.
Given the market decline and H1 performance, the Board of Management adjusted its 2026 forecast. Group turnover is now expected slightly below the previous year's EUR 236.2 million (previous forecast: slight growth). Group EBIT is forecast at EUR 0 million (previous year: EUR 10.0 million), impacted by special items from FOCUS. Excluding these, EBIT before special items is expected at EUR 5.4 million. Free cash flow is now expected at EUR 0 million (previous: EUR 6.4 million). The program lays the foundation for sustainable profitability improvement.
More information on Leifheit is available at www.leifheit-group.com, www.leifheit.de, and www.soehnle.de.
