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WELCOME TO THE MEDIA ARCHIVE

Please find below all Forbo media releases listed by year.

Strong earnings growth and increased dividend

Eglisau, March 9, 1999

Today's meeting of the Board approved the 1998 accounts for the Forbo Group and for Forbo Holding SA.

As previously announced, gross sales consolidated in Swiss francs totalled CHF 1832.2 million, an increase of around 1% on a like-for-like consolidation basis and excluding exchange rate effects. When the 1997 divestments are included, primarily of the laminates activity and parts of the wallcoverings activities, actual sales fell by just under 10%.

Consolidated net income increased by CHF 35.6 million to CHF 76.7 million, a significant increase on the previous year, which however included a divestment charge of CHF 21.0 million.

Group cashflow of CHF 178.0 million is 9.7% of gross sales (1997: 8.7%). The return on equity increased to 9.8% (1997: 5.4%) in line with medium term aims.

Forbo Holding SA generated a net income of CHF 33,036,351 (1997: CHF 31,222,663). In the light of these pleasing results the Board of Directors proposes that the Annual General Meeting on 27 April 1999 should approve an increase in the dividend to CHF 22.- on each registered share (1997: CHF 19. ). The dividend payments will therefore total CHF 32,415,152 on a number of shares that is unchanged from last year.

Dates
Press conference 1998 results: 29.03.1999, 1030 h
Presentation to financial analysts: 29.03.1999, 1430 h
Annual General Meeting: 27.04.1999, 1600 h

Contact:
Ursula Leonhard
Head of Corporate Communications
Tel: + 41 1 868 25 69
Fax: + 41 1 868 35 69


Gerold Zenger
Chief Financial Officer
Tel: + 41 1 868 25 25
Fax: + 41 1 868 25 26