R. Stahl AG: CEO Martin Schomaker to leave the company and to go into retirement, effective December 31, 2017; Dr. Mathias Hallmann appointed to a member of the Management Board as of October 01, 2017, taking over chairmanship on January 01, 2018

PRESS RELEASE

- CEO Martin Schomaker to leave the company and to go into retirement, effective December 31, 2017

- Dr. Mathias Hallmann appointed to a member of the Management Board as of October 01, 2017, taking over chairmanship on January 01, 2018

- Heiko Stallboerger, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, thanks Schomaker for the many years of his commitment

Waldenburg, August 25, 2017. Martin Schomaker, 61, Chairman of the Management Board of R. STAHL, will leave the company on December 31, 2017. The Supervisory Board took this decision in its today's extraordinary meeting. Schomaker is with the company since 27 years, being member of the Management Board since 22 years and chairman since 15 years.

Heiko Stallbörger, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, expressed his sincere thanks to Schomaker for his commitment to the company: "Martin Schomaker has been significantly shaping the development of R. STAHL, transforming the company fundamentally. During his tenure, R. STAHL was strategically repositioned in 2005, focusing fully on explosion protection. He consequently drove the development of R. STAHL and established a global and leading player in this market. With the cost adjustments taken in Winter 2015/2016, he early adapted the company for the crisis on demand in the oil and gas sector, and with the growing order intake in 2017 business conditions seem to pick up again already. The company has a great deal to thank Martin Schomaker for, and his achievements deserve our respect and recognition." Furthermore, Stallboerger added: "Martin Schomaker leaves R. STAHL before the end of his three year contract period that was prolonged in 2016. However, already at the time of this prolongation, the Supervisory Board intended to start searching for a successor for the position of the Chairman of the Management Board. At this time, it was also already clear to all parties involved that Martin Schomaker will not prolong its contract another time due to reasons of age. With Dr. Mathias Hallmann, the Supervisory Board was lucky enough to find a candidate who can take over Martin Schomaker's position right away. Martin Schomaker supports the early change, thus enabling the company to capture this opportunity. This again deserves the Supervisory Board's sincere thanks to Martin Schomaker."

Dr. Mathias Hallmann, 55, previously Senior Vice President at Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, and as President International Welding responsible for the global business outside the Americas, is appointed member of the Management Board of R. STAHL AG, effective October 01, 2017. He shall take over the role of Chairman of the Management Board on January 01, 2018. His contract will initially run for three years.

"With Dr. Hallmann, the Supervisory Board is glad to have found a top manager that brings many years of leadership experience in various management functions as well as an extensive expertise in the metalworking industry into R. STAHL's CEO position. We wish him all the best in his new role.", said Stallboerger.

Martin Schomaker

Having completed a commercial apprenticeship, Martin Schomaker studied at the Cooperative State University Stuttgart. In 1983, he joined the BOSCH Group, where he held various positions in IT and Finance, lastly as Group Leader Planning and Controlling. He started at the R. STAHL Group in 1991. After working in several finance roles, he was appointed Assistant Member of the Management Board in 1995, followed by his appointment to a regular Member of the Management Board in 1997 responsible for Finance, Controlling and Investments. Since 2002, he is Chairman of the Management Board of R. STAHL.

Dr. Mathias Hallman

Dr. Mathias Hallmann studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Karlsruhe where he also obtained a doctorate. He started his professional career in 1994 in the consulting business at McKinsey, which he left 2002 to go to Moeller GmbH as Head of Business Unit Automation (today: Eaton Corp.). Having had several management positions at Boehler Welding Group and its parent company voestalpine, which Dr. Hallmann worked for since 2005, he moved to Lincoln Electric in 2013. Here, he was initially responsible for the company's international business strategy outside the Americas before taking over full business responsibility for these regions. Dr. Hallmann is married and has two children.

About R. STAHL - www.stahl.de

R. STAHL is the world's leading supplier of electrical and electronic products and systems for explosion protection. These products and systems prevent explosions in hazardous areas and contribute to the safety of people, machines and the environment. The portfolio ranges from products used in switching/distributing, installing, operating/monitoring, lighting and signalling/alarming up to automation. Typical customers are oil & gas industry, the chemical and pharmaceutical industry and the food industry. In 2016, global sales amounting to EUR 286.6 million were generated with 1,788 employees.

The shares of R. STAHL AG are traded on the Regulated Market/Prime Standard of Deutsche Boerse (ISIN DE000A1PHBB5).

Contact:
R. Stahl Aktiengesellschaft
Am Bahnhof 30, 74638 Waldenburg (Wuertt.)

Dr. Thomas Kornek
Head of Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
F: +49 7942 943-1395
E: investornews@stahl.de

WKN: A1PHBB
ISIN: DE000A1PHBB5
Ticker: RSL2
Listing: Frankfurt Stock Exchange / Prime Standard