EXEL TO ACQUIRE THE BELGIUM-BASED BEKAER
EXEL OYJ STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 17.12.2003 at 16.45 1 (2)EXEL TO ACQUIRE THE BELGIUM-BASED BEKAERTS COMPOSITE PROFILEBUSINESS Exel Oyj has today signed a preliminary agreement with regard tothe acquisition of the pultrusion business operations of theBelgium-based Bekaert Progressive Composites (BPC). If mattersthat are under investigation prove to be as agreed, Exel will takepossession of the business operations around the end of January2004. Bekaert Progressive Composites is a part of the Belgian N.V.Bekaert S.A. Group, which is one of the leading steel wire product