STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Nov. 1, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- With reference to the present debate of asbestos related lawsuits the Trelleborg Group (Other OTC:TBABF) (Stockholm:TRELb) offer the following clarifications in response to questions received from capital market actors.
Since the early 90s and together with hundreds of other U.S. companies, one of Trelleborg's U.S. subsidiaries, the distribution company Goodall Inc., has been involved in lawsuits relating to asbestos containing products from the 30s and 40s.
The lawsuits concerned are of the type mass-suits and Goodall's involvement is viewed as being only very peripheral. All claims have been dismissed for lack of connection with Goodall. Consequently no settlements have been made.
Goodall has an insurance cover for asbetos claims and the company's insurers carry the costs of litigation.
More than 90% of the claims have already been dismissed and we intend to continue to handle the issues in the same way we have until now.
For further contact, please contact:
Trelleborg Senior Vice President, Corporatate Communications, Mikael Bystrom telephone +46 (0)410-670 37, or +46 (0)708 55 21 69.
Trelleborg is a global industrial group. Operations are based on spearhead competence within polymer materials and a high level of industrial know-how, combined with functional solutions and systems designed to meet the needs of our customers. The Trelleborg Group has annual sales of approximately SEK 18 billion, with about 16,000 employees in 40 countries. Trelleborg consists of four business areas: Trelleborg Automotive, Trelleborg Wheel Systems, Trelleborg Engineered Systems and Trelleborg Building Systems. The Trelleborg share has been quoted on the A list of OM Stockholmsborsen (the Stockholm Exchange) since 1964. www.trelleborg.com
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