Gunnar Brock comments on Atlas Copco's Q2 results

Gunnar Brock comments on Atlas Copco's Q2 results

Stockholm, Sweden, July 18, 2008: Atlas Copco today reported second-quarter
results with continued strong order growth across all business areas and
regions. “The growth has been particularly strong in emerging markets and in the
mining industry,” says President and CEO Gunnar Brock.

“We believe that the overall demand for Atlas Copco's products and services will
remain at a high level in the near term, primarily because of a continued strong
demand development in emerging markets and the mining industry.” Some customer
segments in North America and Western Europe, related to consumer goods and
residential construction, are expected to weaken. 

Revenues during the quarter were up 18% to MSEK 18 884 (15 985), an organic
growth of 15%. Operating profit reached a record level of MSEK 3 630, up 20%,
corresponding to a margin of 19.2% (19.0). “Price increases, increases in sales
volume and efficiency gains have more than offset cost increases on components
and negative currency effects.”

In line with the strategy, Atlas Copco continues to improve its efficiency. To
strengthen the long-term cost competitiveness of Industrial Technique, the
business area will close a factory in Great Britain and transfer the production
to Hungary.

Through strategic acquisitions, Atlas Copco has further improved its product
offering and market presence. In the quarter, the Group acquired a high-pressure
compressor manufacturer in the United States focusing on the oil- and gas
industry, two former compressor distributors in the United States, and two
service companies active in the Indonesian mining sector.

Minimizing the use of energy is a focus area and the sales of energy-efficient
products continued to increase in the quarter. “Atlas Copco's continuous shift
towards more energy-efficient compressors and services has resulted in reduced
energy consumption in compressed-air installations. We are now enhancing our
marketing efforts to promote these leading solutions to existing and prospective
customers.”

For further information please contact:
Love Liman, Media Relations
+46 (0)8 743 8060 or +46 (0)73 231 8060

Atlas Copco discloses the information provided herein pursuant to the Securities
Markets Act and/or the Financial Instruments Trading Act.

Atlas Copco is a world leading provider of industrial productivity solutions.
The products and services range from compressed air and gas equipment,
generators, construction and mining equipment, industrial tools and assembly
systems, to related aftermarket and rental. In close cooperation with customers
and business partners, and with 135 years of experience, Atlas Copco innovates
for superior productivity. Headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, the Group's
global reach spans more than 160 markets. In 2007, Atlas Copco had 
33 000 employees and revenues of BSEK 63 (BEUR 6.7). Learn more at
www.atlascopco.com.