Ad-hoc | 5 March 2004 12:39


A.S. Création acquires distribution company in the Netherlands

Ad-hoc-announcement transmitted by DGAP. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ——————————————————————————– A.S. Création acquires distribution company to strengthen market position in the Netherlands With retroactive effect from January 1, 2004, A.S. Création Tapeten AG, Germany’s largest wallpaper manufacturer, has acquired 100% of the shares in Wandvisie 2000 B.V., Werkendam/Netherlands. The takeover agreement was signed today. Both parties agreed not to disclose any information about the price of the transaction. Wandvisie 2000 B.V. is a wallpaper wholesaler that employs 10 people and generates annual sales of approx. EUR 2.1 million. The company’s customer base mainly comprises specialist retailers in the Netherlands. Since 1989, A.S. Création Tapeten AG has cooperated closely with Wandvisie 2000 B.V., which is currently A.S. Création’s exclusive distribution partner in the Dutch market. The company exclusively sells wallpapers and furnishing fabrics from A.S. Création. The takeover of Wandvisie 2000 B.V. will help A.S. Création protect its existing sales in the Netherlands. The takeover is also expected to provide stimulation for additional growth, given that the full range of A.S. Création products will be available to Dutch customers going forward. This improved penetration of the Dutch market and the close customer relations are expected to result in higher sales. To highlight Wandvisie 2000 B.V.’s new positions as a distribution company of A.S. Création, the company will be renamed A.S. Création (NL) B.V. in the course of 2004. Gummersbach, March 5, 2004 Inquiries: Maik Krämer, Director of Finance, 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 05.03.2004 ——————————————————————————– WKN: 507990; ISIN: DE0005079909; Index: Listed: Amtlicher Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin- Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München und Stuttgart 051239 Mär 04