29.05.2009 - Swiss entrepreneur acquires a majority stake in Eternit Österreich Vienna, on 29 May 2009 – The FibreCem Group, held by the Swiss entrepreneur Bernhard Alpstaeg, or rather Eternit (Schweiz) AG acquired a majority stake in the Austrian Eternit Group, Eternit-Werke Ludwig Hatschek AG, from the CROSS Industries Group. This company, founded by the inventor of an entirely new material called Eternit in 1894 and situated in Vöcklabruck, Upper Austria, has a long history as traditional Austrian producer. It manufactures fibre cement products of the brand “Eternit” as well as concrete roof panels and runs the company “Dach und Wand”, operating a wholesale business for roofing materials.   The Austrian Eternit Group currently employs 455 people and achieved revenues in the amount of approximately €124m in the previous business year. The FibreCem Group, which comprises Eternit (Schweiz) AG with its production facilities in Niederurnen and Payerne, Promat AG (Winterthur), ESAL d.o.o (Slovenia) and Bachl Baustoffe Porschendorf (Germany), has about 700 employees and has budgeted revenues in the amount of €104m for 2009.   Both Groups, which have been operating in different geographic markets so far, have a similar product strategy in common: In the roofing segment, it refers to the manufacturing of high-quality roof panels and corrugated sheets made of Eternit fibre cement, ideally suitable for usage under alpine climate. Moreover, the wide range of façade panels does also create synergies.   Entrepreneur Bernhard Alpstaeg remarks that “We are particularly pleased about having such a renowned, long-established company like EWLH on our side. We strongly intend to strengthen Eternit’s production facility in Vöcklabruck and thus secure it in a sustainable way. Bundling different strengths creates synergies, thus makes sense and is in our interest. Only in collaboration with our partners in Austria, Slovenia and Germany we are able to achieve our goals: to become N°1 in the European fibre cement market. Let’s do it – with enthusiasm and honest work!”   According to Stefan Pierer, Chairman of the Management Board of CROSS Industries AG, “Combining the two company groups makes it possible to gain a significant role in the international roofing and façade market. In particular technological leadership of both companies in the fibre cement segment enables them a clear distinction from other suppliers. I wish the new group all the best for the future.”   The takeover is subject to approval by antitrust authorities.   Photo Download: www.minc.at/web/artikel.php   For further information, please contact (Austria CROSS Industries AG): Julia Kent Milestones in Public Relations Alser Strasse 32/3 A-1090 Wien Phone: 01/890 04 29 - 32 Mobile: 0664/246 90 55 julia.kent@minc.at www.minc.at   For further information, please contact (Switzerland): Balts Livio Contract Media AG Seefeldstrasse 281 CH-8008 Zürich Phone +41 44 209 60 00 Fax +41 44 209 60 10 balts.livio@contractmedia.ch www.contractmedia.ch