Ad-hoc | 12 June 2001 08:31

Wienerberger Baustoffind. english

Ad hoc announcement transmitted by DGAP. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ——————————————————————————– Wienerberger has signed a contract to acquire the Megalith Group as of July 1, 2001. Megalith is the second largest producer of bricks in Germany. The company operates a total of nine plants for wall construction materials, four of them in the new provinces. Wienerberger acquires three brick plants and one limestone plant for a total purchase price of roughly Euro 47 million (debt- free). Two other brick plants and one plant each for lintels and limestone will be leased. One brick plant will be closed permanently by Megalith. In 2000 Megalith recorded non-consolidated sales of approximately Euro 60 million with 320 employees. A total of 457 million brick units were sold, giving Megalith a share of roughly 10% on the German brick market. Due to the strained price situation, total earnings were slightly negative. In order to optimize the use of synergies, Wienerberger intends to integrate the Megalith administrative and sales organization in our existing structures, making necessary changes to meet the needs of the market. Brick production in the new provinces must also be adjusted to meet current demand. From the present standpoint, this will mean the closure of up to two plants. The transfer of production and volume sales will guarantee full use of capacity in existing plants. A decision on retaining the limestone segment in the Wienerberger Group will be made during the coming weeks. The active participation of Wienerberger in the stable restructuring of the German brick market was recently announced by Wolfgang Reithofer, the new CEO. Reithofer views this step as the key for Wienerberger to unlocking an additional earnings potential of more than Euro 50 million in the difficult Central European markets of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. For additional information visit www.wienerberger.com or contact: Thomas Melzer, IR and PR T +43(1) 60192-471, E-Mail: investor@wienerberger.com end of ad hoc announcement (c) DGAP 12.06.2001 ——————————————————————————– WKN: 083170; Index: ATX Listed: Amtlicher Handel in Wien; Freiverkehr in Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, München und Stuttgart 120831 Jun 01