Alfa Laval continues to consolidate - acquires leading air heat exchanger company

Alfa Laval continues to consolidate - acquires leading air heat exchanger company

Alfa Laval - a world leader in heat transfer, centrifugal separation and fluid handling - has signed an agreement to acquire Helpman B V.

Helpman is a leading company in the European market for air heat exchangers used in the sensitive logistical chain for food, i.e. refrigeration and temperature control to secure the final quality of the products. 
- An acquisition of Helpman is in line with Alfa Laval's strategy to strengthen our position in the European air heat exchangers market, which we estimate has a potential of about SEK 4 billion, says Lars Renström, President and CEO of Alfa Laval Group. - With a reinforced product portfolio in combination with our strong local presence, not at least in Central and Eastern Europe, I see great opportunities for profitable growth. 
Helpman had a turnover in 2006 of about SEK 200 million and has approximately 130 employees within R&D, sales and at two manufacturing units, in Groningen, Netherlands and in Sofia, Bulgaria. The closing of the transaction is subject to approval from regulatory authorities. 
The intention is to fully integrate Helpman into Alfa Laval.


About Alfa Laval 
Alfa Laval is a leading global provider of specialized products and engineering solutions based on its key technologies of heat transfer, separation and fluid handling. 
The company's equipment, systems and services are dedicated to assisting customers in optimizing the performance of their processes. The solutions help them to heat, cool, separate and transport products in industries that produce food and beverages, chemicals and petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, starch, sugar and ethanol. 
Alfa Laval's products are also used in power plants, aboard ships, in the mechanical engineering industry, in the mining industry and for wastewater treatment, as well as for comfort climate and refrigeration applications. 
Alfa Laval's worldwide organization works closely with customers in nearly 100 countries to help them stay ahead in the global arena. 

Alfa Laval is listed on the Nordic Exchange, Nordic Large Cap, and, in 2006, posted annual sales of about SEK 20 billion (approx. 2,2 billion euros). The company has some 10,000 employees.
www.alfalalval.com


For more information please contact: 
Peter Torstensson 
Vice President, Communications 
Alfa Laval 
Tel: + 46 46 36 72 31
Mobile: +46 709 33 72 31 

Mikael Sjöblom 
Investor Relations 
Alfa Laval 
Tel: +46 46 36 74 82
Mobile: +46 709 78 74 82