Press Release

First quarter slightly below 2012, growth opportunities for the full year

- Unusually strong winter and financial crises adversely affect first quarter: Revenues in the first quarter 2013 at EUR 65.3m slightly below 2012, but order intake as of the end of March cumulatively higher than in 2012

- EBIT at EUR -1.2m due to revenue decline and cost increases

- Net finance debt at EUR 5.0m, equity ratio at 46.2%

- Guidance for 2013 confirmed: revenue growth of up to 2% with proportionate earnings development

Augsburg, May 7, 2013 - The business performance of the WashTec Group - the leading supplier of innovative solutions for the carwash business worldwide - was affected by a strong winter and the ongoing financial and economic crisis - particularly in Southern Europe. Group revenue declined by 2.1% to EUR 65.3m (Q1-2012: EUR 66.7m) especially dueto fewer installations in the traditionally weakest quarter of the year. While revenues in Core Europe declined, the other segments - North America, Emerging Europe as well as Asia/Pacific - were able to stabilize or even increase their revenues. As a result of the decline in revenue and the higher costs triggered above all by wage scale increases and two trade fairs, EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) was reported at EUR -1.2m (Q1-2012: EUR 0.1m). As of the end of the first quarter of 2013, WashTec Group's cumulative incoming orders were higher than at the end of the first quarter 2012.

Very good balance sheet quality ensures future growth
In the first quarter of 2013, WashTec further reduced its net finance debt (net bank debt plus long-term and short-term finance leasing) from EUR 8.3m (end of 2012) to EUR 5.0m. Since the end of 2012, the equity ratio rose from 46.0% to 46.2%. Compared to the end of 2012, the gearing ratio - defined as the quotient of net finance debt to equity - declined even further from 0.10 to 0.06. Net cash flow in the first quarter was positive and equaled EUR 5.5m (prior year: EUR 7.4m). WashTec has a very good balance sheet quality, which will enable WashTec to realize and finance future growth potential from own resources and an attractive dividend yield at the same time .

New management board pushing analysis and adjustment of strategy
At the beginning of the year, the two new management board members of WashTec AG, Dr. Jürgen Rautert and Dr. Stefan Vieweg, commenced their service. As of March 1, 2013, Dr. Rautert assumed the role of CEO and spokesman of the WashTec management board from Michael Busch, who has since resumed the chairmanship of the supervisory board of WashTec AG. The focus of the management board's work is currently on analyzing and revising the strategy for the WashTec Group. The company plans to disclose the results of this work in the second half of 2013.

'Business performance in the first quarter met our expectations', explains Dr. Jürgen Rautert, the spokesman of the WashTec AG management board. 'Upon joining the firm, we got to know a company that has dedicated and competent employees and an innovation pipeline containing interesting solutions. Together with our team, we will work intensely on further developing our product spectrum, on expanding our service business in the core markets and on exploiting new market potential in outside the core markets. After a number of weaker months by the turn of the year,order intake at the end of first quarter was higher than last year. This makes us optimistic that our goals communicated at the beginning of the year will be realized during the year'.

Outlook for 2013 confirmed: revenue with growth rates of up to 2% with proportionate earnings development
The first quarter is traditionally the weakest quarter for the WashTec Group. The company is therefore expecting an improvement in the second half of the year. WashTec confirms its guidance for 2013: revenue growth up to 2% with proportionate earnings development.

The following development is expected in the individual segments:

- Core Europe: Slight revenue and earnings growth

- North America: Slight profit with stable to increasing revenues

- Emerging Europe: Significant revenue growth with disproportionately lower earnings development due to investments in structures

- Asia/Pacific: Significant revenue growth with disproportionately lower earnings development due to capital expenditures; greatest share of revenue growth generated from the Chinese market.

Given that the overall development in submarkets is currently unclear, however, a forecast for 2013 remains saddled with uncertainties. In this regard, main focus will be on the increasingly volatile market environment and corresponding business development in Core Europe. For the next few years, the continued development of revenues and earnings will depend largely on realizing growth opportunities in the new markets and defending the company's position in Core Europe.

The report on the first quarter of 2013 and additional information about the company can be found at www.washtec.de.

Key financial information of the Group for the first quarter:

* Average number of shares per Mar 31, 2013: 13,954,412 shares; per Mar 31, 2012: 13,976,970.
** Net finance debt divided by equity
*** Trade receivables + inventories - trade payables

Information on WashTec:
The WashTec Group has its registered offices in Augsburg, Germany, and is the leading supplier of innovative solutions for the car wash business worldwide. WashTec employs more than 1,600 persons and has its own subsidiaries in the core markets of Europe, the United States and Canada as well as in China and Australia. WashTec also has independent sales partners in roughly 60 countries.

Contact:
Corporate Communications
WashTec AG
Argonstraße 7
86153 Augsburg
Tel.: +49 (0)821 - 55 84 - 0