Gunnebo acquires France’s Eurofence. Deal will strengthen Gunnebo in outdoor perimeter protection.

The Gunnebo international security group has today acquired all the share capital of the French security company Eurofence SA. The acquisition is part of Gunnebo Perimeter Protection’s strategy of achieving a leading position on the European outdoor perimeter protection market.

Including the acquisition of Germany’s Elkosta in April last year, the division’s annual turnover has almost doubled and now amounts to more than MEUR 110. Eurofence, which was founded in 1972, has an annual turnover of MEUR 25 and employs 135 people in France. The product range consists mainly of welded fencing, fence posts and gates, which are manufactured at a modern factory in Doulevant le Château in north-eastern France. Most of the output is sold on the French market, where Gunnebo Perimeter Protection’s sales are currently relatively modest. A small proportion of the output is exported. The acquisition of Eurofence will raise Gunnebo’s share of the French market to around 10 per cent. “This is an important acquisition, seen in the light of the strategic plan that we have adopted for Gunnebo Perimeter Protection. It will give us a significant market position in France, as well as adding new products to our range. Gunnebo Perimeter Protection has almost doubled its turnover in a short space of time, and intends to steadily improve its profitability in this promising business segment,” says Bjarne Holmqvist, Gunnebo’s President and CEO. “Eurofence will provide a strong platform for further expansion on the French market. We will also be able to sell Eurofence’s heavy and light welded mesh fencing on other markets,” explains Philip Mozes, Head of the Gunnebo Perimeter Protection division. “We regard Gunnebo as an ideal owner well capable of supporting our growth on the French market and, more importantly, on other markets in Europe. I look forward with enthusiasm to continuing as president of Eurofence,” says Alain Fougnot, formerly Eurofence’s main shareholder. The acquisition will have a positive effect on the result as of 2005. GUNNEBO AB (publ) Information For further information please contact: Bjarne Holmqvist, President and CEO, Gunnebo AB on +46-31-83 68 00. Mobile: +46-708 40 03 70 or +46-705 83 64 45, or Philip Mozes, Divisional Manager, Gunnebo Perimeter Protection on +31-252 37 78 04 or +31-621 23 7571, or Janerik Dimming, director of information, Gunnebo AB: +46-31-83 68 03 or +46-705 83 68 03 (mobile); email: janerik.dimming@gunnebo.se.