Wärtsilä's CEO at AGM: "Strong growth in orderintake continued in January-February 2008 - growth 47% on the same period last year"



Wärtsilä Corporation, Company Announcement, 19 March 2008 at 3.30 pm
local time

Addressing Wärtsilä's Annual General Meeting which will begin at 4.00
pm today, 19 March 2008, President and CEO Ole Johansson will review
the first two months of 2008 as follows:"As expected demand in our markets has continued strong in the first
months of this year. Wärtsilä's total orderintake for January -
February grew to EUR 1,126 (769) million, a growth of 47% on the
corresponding period last year. Ship Power orderintake grew 44%, and
Power Plants 72%. The total orderbook at the end of February was EUR
6,823 (4,813) million. In 2004 Wärtsilä received two orders for power
plant delivery to Iraq. The first power plant of the Iraqi order has
almost been completed and all corresponding payments have been
received. The second order is not included in the orderbook value due
to the uncertainty of delivery time."

The market outlook and Wärtsilä's prospects for 2008, published in
connection to the release of the 2007 financial statements, remain
unchanged."We expect market activity to continue solid during the first half of
2008. In Ship Power some slowdown might be seen at the end of the
spring but we expect activity in the Power Plant market to continue
to be very strong. Based on the strong order book and capacity
investments we will continue our positive development and 2008 will
be a year of strong growth and further improved profitability.

Based on the strong order book, Wärtsilä's net sales are expected to
grow by about 25% in 2008. Profitability will exceed 11%. Wärtsilä's
profitability varies considerably from one quarter to another. This
pattern will repeat itself during the current year. The first quarter
is likely to be the weakest and the last quarter the best".

www.wartsila.com

Attachments

Review by the President  CEO