Wilh. Sonesson to be streamlined with operations focused on Consumer Healthcare

Wilh. Sonesson to be streamlined with operations focused on Consumer Healthcare The Board of Wilh. Sonesson has resolved to recommend to the Annual General Meeting on April 24, 2002 that the operations of the Group be streamlined and focused on the Consumer Healthcare segment. As part of this process, the Group's other operations are to be gathered within a separate listed company, to be offered to shareholders in Wilh. Sonesson for acquisition. Today, Wilh. Sonesson's Consumer Healthcare operations are among the market leaders in Sweden, with sales of SEK 417.8 M and operating profit of SEK 37.5 M in 2001. Streamlining and focusing on Consumer Healthcare will create conditions for expansion through the acquisition of operations and brands within the area, with the target of becoming the market leader in the Nordic region. It is the Board's view that this focus and the division into two independent listed companies will, in the long-term, increase value for shareholders. The Consumer Healthcare industry is powered by a strong need, both on the part of the individual, as well as of society in general, to preempt possible diseases and improve ones own health. In 2001, the Consumer Healthcare market in Sweden amounted to approximately SEK 400 M, of which about 50 percent consisted of non-prescription drugs. Acquisitions of companies and products within non-prescription pharmaceuticals are therefore a high priority for Wilh. Sonesson. The consumption of naturopathic medicines is four (4) times greater in Germany than in Sweden and 65 percent of the Swedish population has not yet tested naturopathic medicines, providing extensive potential for increased sales also within this area. More information about the industry can be read and downloaded from the Group's website, www.wilhsonesson.com. "We have begun to build the Group into a leading player in the Nordic Consumer Healthcare industry. As part of this move, we have recruited top executives with extensive experience from the pharmaceutical industry. We have every reason to expect substantial growth in the field of personal care. In this process of expansion, acquisitions of companies and brands within naturopathic and non-prescription medicines will be prioritized," explains Bo Håkansson, Chairman of the Board of Wilh. Sonesson. "In order that shareholders should participate directly in the future growth in value, our other operations are to be listed separately, which will create opportunities for investors to make direct placements in specific operations. It is my evaluation that Wilh. Sonesson's streamlining and focus on Consumer Healthcare will create added value for shareholders," adds Bo Håkansson. Lund, March 25, 2002 Wilh. Sonesson AB (publ) For further information, contact: Greg Dingizian, tel +46 46-280 81 00, +46 705-78 54 40 greg.dingizian@wilhsonesson.com Bo Håkansson, Chairman of the Board, tel +46 46-280 81 00, +46 705-98 57 22 bo.hakansson@wilh.sonesson.com www.wilhsonesson.com ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/03/25/20020325BIT01180/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/03/25/20020325BIT01180/wkr0002.pdf