Manufacturing in Mexico

Manufacturing in Mexico There have been statements in a Swedish newspaper that Esselte have used a manufacturing subcontractor in Tijuana, Mexico, that have carried out pregnancy testing on women. It has also been said in the same paper that one of Esselte's Swedish investors, 7:e AP-fonden, have the intention to sell their Esselte shares due to the unethical aspect of such a procedure. Esselte can confirm that pregnancy testing did occur with that subcontractor. Esselte have no financial holding in the subcontractor. During 2000 Esselte decided to stop the subcontracting and instead start its own manufacturing in Tijuana. As from November 2000 manufacturing started in Esselte's own plant and a gradual transfer of responsibilities to Esselte is taking place until July 01, 2001, from which time the subcontracting responsibility will end. From that date no pregnancy testing will be used as a matter of policy. It is Esselte's intention to act as a good citizen and to follow local regulations as well as internationally recognized conventions. Esselte is the leading global office supplies manufacturer with annual sales exceeding SEK 11 billion, subsidiaries in 31 countries, selling office products in over 120 countries and employing more than 7,000 people. Esselte brings innovation, efficiency and style to the way people work in the office and at home. Our principal brands are: DYMO, Pendaflex, Leitz, Esselte and Curtis. Esselte AB is listed on the Stockholm and London stock exchanges. To learn more about Esselte, visit our website at www.esselte.com. For further information please contact: Anders Igel, CEO +44 (0) 7775 914 902 Thomas Groth, IR +44 (0) 1895 878 983 ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/06/25/20010625BIT00880/bit0002.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/06/25/20010625BIT00880/bit0002.pdf