euro adhoc: RHI AG / Mergers - Acquisitions - Takeovers / RHI acquires the business of Monofrax Inc., USA

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Disclosure announcement transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer is responsible
for the content of this announcement.
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19.12.2006

Monofrax Inc. is a subsidiary of Vesuvius Crucible Company and the
only producer of fused cast products in the USA, which are used
primarily in the glass industry. In 2005, Monofrax reported an annual
revenue of USD 45 million in the USA, Asia/Pacific and Europe.
Monofrax has innovative products, important patents and excellent
business relations with the most important glass producers worldwide.
In the growing glass market, RHI Refractories is the world’s largest
refractories supplier independent of the glass industry and already
operates modern production facilities for fused cast products in
Italy and China, as well as further production sites for refractories
for the glass industry in Europe and China.

RHI has signed a contract with Vesuvius regarding the acquisition of
all relevant Monofrax assets ("asset deal"), which, in addition to
fixed assets, also comprises all intangible assets and the entire
operating business. The purchase price amounts to about USD 35
million (EUR 26,7 million). For the year ended 31 December 2005,
Monofrax had an operating profit (EBIT) of USD 6 million (EUR 4,6
million). The enforcement of the contracts is subject to different
conditions precedent and the approval of the antitrust authorities.
The closing of the transaction is expected for the first quarter of
2007.

With the integration of the Monofrax business into its worldwide
sales network, RHI Refractories is again significantly strengthening
its position as a full-line supplier and now most important
independent producer of fused cast refractories specialties. RHI
Refractories thus has another technologically, logistically and
economically optimal production site for high-grade refractory
products especially for the highly important special glass market in
North America. The new production network enables the sales force of
RHI and Monofrax to apply their refractories know-how, which will be
pooled in the future, to ensure an even more intensive joint market
penetration and optimal customer solutions worldwide.

end of announcement euro adhoc 19.12.2006 08:00:00
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ots Originaltext: RHI AG
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Further inquiry note:
RHI AG
Investor Relations
Dkfm. Markus Richter
Tel: +43-1-50213-6123
Email: markus.richter@rhi-ag.com

Branche: Refractories
ISIN: AT0000676903
WKN: 874182
Index: ATX Prime
Börsen: Wiener Börse AG / official dealing