Rocla Oyj Stock exchange release 18.11.2008 at 1.00 p.m. ROCLA'S Q4/2008 RESULT REMAINS NEGATIVE AND THE COMPANY STARTS NEGOTIATIONS ABOUT PERSONNEL COST REDUCTIONS The market situation in the fork lift truck branch is weakening due to the worldwide financial crisis. The rate at which Rocla Group is receiving truck orders has decreased compared to the beginning of the year and the fourth quarter in 2007. The net sales will decrease during the last months of the year 2008 to the extent that the net result will remain negative during Q4/2008. The net sales of the whole year 2008 are estimated to remain on the same level as in 2007 and the net profit will be close to zero. Thus, the Company readjusts the estimate given in the interim report for January-September according to which the net sales will meet the level of 2007 and net profit for the current fiscal year is expected to fall short of the net profit of last year. Rocla starts negotiations about the measures to adjust the employment situation to the business volume in the units located in Finland. The aim is to reduce costs and make the operations more efficient in order to ensure the competitiveness and the profitability of the Group. In the Group's operations abroad the measures are adjusted to the local market situation and the performance of each unit. According to the current estimate, in the Finnish units the need to reduce the labor usage is about 20% and the need applies to all personnel groups. In spite of the adjustment measures, Rocla aims at ensuring especially the resources for the direct customer service. Reduction of personnel costs is planned to be carried out as lay-offs. They are estimated to start in January 2009 and preliminarily, they are estimated to concern 430 people for 40 days at maximum until the end of September 2009. ROCLA OYJ Tapio Rummukainen President and CEO Additional information: CEO Tapio Rummukainen tel +368 20 7781 370 Distribution: NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Oy Main media Rocla develops, manufactures and markets electric warehouse trucks and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and related services and solutions during their lifespan. On Sept 30, 2008 The Rocla Group employed 649 people out of which 430 people in Finland. Rocla Oyj, Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift Europe B.V. and its parent company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. have on 23 October 2008 entered into a Combination Agreement based on which Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift Europe B.V. has decided to make a voluntary public tender offer for all shares and share options of Rocla Oyj in accordance with the Securities Markets Act Chapter 6, and under the terms and conditions of the tender offer document published on 10 November 2008. For more information visit the Rocla website (http://www.rocla.com).
ROCLA'S Q4/2008 RESULT REMAINS NEGATIVE AND THE COMPANY STARTS NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE PERSONNEL
| Source: Rocla Oyj