Adjusted EBITDA of €12.3 million exceeded the forecast target range of €11 to €12 million. According to the company, the main growth drivers were the international business, the third-party brands portfolio, and strong innovation momentum within its own brand portfolio.
"Given the geopolitical crises and ongoing consumer restraint, the goal of matching last year's level was quite ambitious. It's all the more pleasing that, thanks to a strong second half of the year, we were able to exceed that target," says Michael Söhlke, CEO of Semper idem Underberg AG. "We are very satisfied with the result. Development in the third-party brands segment is good, we are growing continuously abroad, and when it comes to innovation, the St. Hubertus-Tropfen brand is a key success driver."
The strong presence in the USA played a major role in this positive development. The wholly owned sales subsidiary Underberg Sales Corporation has recently grown so dynamically that, due to its increased significance, it was consolidated for the first time. "Both the local team and the collaboration with support here in Rheinberg are working excellently. That is the foundation for the further growth path we also envision for our other international focus markets," emphasizes Thomas Mempel, CCO of the Underberg Group. In addition to the USA, the family-owned company focuses primarily on the Nordic countries, Austria and Switzerland, as well as tourist destinations in Southern Europe, select markets in Africa, and Global Travel Retail.
For Mempel, the 15.2 percent growth in the international distribution brands portfolio underscores the sustained successful sales and marketing performance of the team at Diversa Spezialitäten. "Our team is characterized by close, trust-based collaboration with international brand owners. This forms the basis for long-term, resilient partnerships that create significant added value for both sides," says Mempel.
"Naturally, given the still-weak consumer climate in Germany, we continue to keep a close eye on costs and remain committed to managing for profitability. Overall, the level of professionalization across the entire group has increased; at the same time, we continue to invest strategically in marketing and sales," Söhlke continues. "In June, we celebrated the 180th anniversary of our family business and laid the groundwork for the company's continued development. Nevertheless, the challenges remain significant; for example, the planned increase in the alcohol tax is likely to result in a decline in sales for the entire industry, including us."
The group's positive earnings situation led to a slightly improved equity ratio of 31 percent. Semper idem Underberg has a solid liquidity reserve and reported group cash holdings of over €17 million at the end of the fiscal year on March 31, 2026, the release concludes.
