Ad-hoc | 5 February 2004 08:15

A.S. Création acquires two distribution companies to strengthen market position

Ad-hoc-announcement transmitted by DGAP. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ——————————————————————————– A.S. Création acquires two distribution companies to strengthen market position in France A.S. Création Tapeten AG, Germany’s largest wallpaper manufacturer, has acquired 100% of the share capital of P.P.S.E. SA, Lyon/France with retroactive effect from October 1, 2003. In the context of this acquisition, the company has also taken over Edirama SA, Lyon/France, a wholly owned subsidiary of P.P.S.E. SA. The agreement was signed in Lyon last night. No information was disclosed about the price of the transaction. P.P.S.E. SA and Edirama SA are wallpaper wholesalers employing 48 employees and generating consolidated annual sales of approx. EUR 9 million. 75% of their sales are accounted for by smaller DIY store chains and retailers. These customer groups have so far not been served directly by A.S. Création in France, so that the takeover will strengthen the company’s position in the French market. In 2003, France was the most important export market for A.S. Création Tapeten AG. A.S. Création has supplied P.P.S.E. SA and Edirama SA with wallpaper to a limited extent already since 2001. After the takeover, the two companies’ product ranges will successively be replaced with A.S. Création products, which will be marketed under the “A.S. Création” and “livingwalls” brand names. Gummersbach, February 5, 2004 Inquiries: Maik Krämer, Chief Financial Officer, phone + 49 – (0)22 61/542-387, fax + 49 – (0)22 61/542-304, e-mail m.kraemer@as-creation.de end of ad-hoc-announcement (c)DGAP 05.02.2004 ——————————————————————————– WKN: 507990; ISIN: DE0005079909; Index: Listed: Amtlicher Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin- Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München und Stuttgart 050815 Feb 04