The Management Board of Leifheit AG, with Supervisory Board approval, has resolved the objectives and key elements of the FOCUS performance program, a comprehensive initiative to sustainably improve profitability and competitiveness. The program includes position reductions, a new operating model, streamlined group structures, and targeted digitalization of key processes. These measures aim to reduce complexity, shorten decision-making, and lower the cost base long-term, targeting annual cost savings of approximately EUR 7.5 million starting in 2028.
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.” The organizational changes will involve a group-wide reduction of up to 70 positions, implemented in stages and in consultation with employee representatives to ensure social responsibility. The Leifheit Group currently employs about 960 people, with around 360 in Germany.
The implementation of FOCUS will incur total special items of up to EUR 9.6 million, of which approximately EUR 5.4 million will impact earnings in 2026. First positive effects are expected as early as fiscal 2027, with full recurring savings from 2028 onward.
These actions come as Leifheit reported preliminary results for the first half of 2026 that fell below expectations. The group faced a declining market and weak consumer sentiment, achieving preliminary 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). “Our business development in the second quarter fell short of our expectations. This makes it even more important for us to act decisively now,” Reindler added. Growth initiatives continue, with innovations planned for the second half, including expansion of the Black Line and launch of the Pegasus Rock Solid standing dryer, alongside enhanced marketing with retail partners.
Due to the declining market and first-half performance, Leifheit adjusted its 2026 full-year forecast. Group turnover is now expected slightly below the previous year’s EUR 236.2 million, versus prior expectations of slight growth. Group EBIT is forecast at EUR 0 million, down from the prior year’s EUR 10.0 million, due to special items from the performance program. Excluding these items, EBIT before special items is expected at EUR 5.4 million. Free cash flow is now expected at EUR 0 million, compared to the previous year’s EUR 6.4 million. The performance program lays the foundation for sustainable profitability improvement.
Leifheit AG, founded in 1959, is a leading European brand supplier of household items, operating in Household, Wellbeing, and Private Label segments. Its well-known brands include Leifheit and Soehnle. More information is available at www.leifheit-group.com, www.leifheit.de, and www.soehnle.de.
