CEO transition in Swedish Match during 2008

CEO transition in Swedish Match during 2008

Sven Hindrikes, 57, has today advised the Board of Directors that he wishes to
retire as President and CEO of Swedish Match AB during the course of 2008. The
Board accepts his decision with regret and will now initiate a search process
for his successor. Sven Hindrikes remains in his position until a new President
and CEO has been appointed and will be available to support the transition
process.

“After ten years in Swedish Match, whereof the last four years as the CEO, I
have decided that it's the right time for me to step down from my position
during 2008”, says Sven Hindrikes. The company is in good shape and Swedish
Match has now a strong platform for continued development in growth and
profitability, which we demonstrated today in the 2007 earnings report”,
concludes Sven Hindrikes.

Conny Karlsson, Chairman of the Board of Directors in Swedish Match AB says in a
comment that, “I regret Sven's decision to step down as CEO. The Board of
Directors however accepts Sven's decision and will now initiate a search process
for a new CEO. Following this situation, the Board has agreed with Sven
Hindrikes that he will remain in his position until a new President and CEO has
been appointed. Thereafter, Sven will be available for the company to support
the introduction and transition of a new CEO. As a consequence of this
agreement, Sven Hindrikes will receive a stay bonus corresponding to 18 months
base salary.  Sven continues to have the full support from the Board”, continues
Conny Karlsson.

“Sven's contribution to Swedish Match has been tremendous over his ten years as
CFO and CEO. During his tenure the share price has increased almost six-fold
supported by a Group sales increase from 8,194 MSEK to 12,551 MSEK, operating
profit increase from 1,381 MSEK to 2,997 MSEK and EPS improvement from 1.56 SEK
in 1998 to 7.82 SEK in 2007. Personally, I have very much enjoyed working with
Sven”, concludes Conny Karlsson.


The Board of Directors of Swedish Match AB
Conny Karlsson, Chairman of the Board
Mobile +46 (0)70 521 19 18


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Swedish Match is a global Group of companies with a broad assortment of
market-leading brands in smokeless tobacco products, cigars, pipe tobacco and
lights products. The Group's global operations generated sales of 12,551 MSEK
for the twelve month period ending December, 2007. Swedish Match shares are
listed on OMX Nordic Exchange in Stockholm (SWMA).
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Swedish Match AB (publ), SE-118 85 Stockholm
Visiting address: Rosenlundsgatan 36, Telephone: +46 8 658 02 00
Corporate Identity Number: 556015-0756
www.swedishmatch.com
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The character of the information is such that it shall be disclosed by Swedish
Match AB (publ) in accordance with the Swedish Securities Markets Act. The
information was disclosed to the media on 20 February, 2008 at 08.15 a.m (CET).