SKF, Rautaruukki and Wärtsilä have received European Commission approval to merge long steel businesses

AB SKF, Rautaruukki Corporation and Wärtsilä Corporation have received European Commission approval to combine long steel businesses into a jointly owned new company. The transaction is expected to close by mid-May 2005. Göteborg, May 4, 2005 Aktiebolaget SKF (publ.) For further information, please contact: PRESS: Lars G Malmer, SKF Group Communication, tel. +46 (0)31 337 1541, e-mail: Lars.G.Malmer@skf.com IR: Marita Björk, SKF Investor Relations, tel. +46 (0)31 337 1994, e-mail: Marita.Bjork@skf.com