29.11.2005 

The Joint Venture concluded between Tarkett and Egger in 2000 concerning the production of laminate floors in the Egger plant of Wismar will be terminated on 30.04.07.

At this fixed date Egger will take over all Tarkett shares in the joint venture and will continue the production by itself, Egger informs in a press release.

Until that day the successful joint venture will be continued unchanged.

After more than 5 years of successful cooperation Tarkett and Egger have mutually agreed that the strategies of both companies will develop differently in the future. Thus, it will not be possible to make use of the present synergies in the future anymore.

Tarkett, a “Global Player” in the floor covering industry, strives for further integration as a producer and plans to expand its production activities on a worldwide scale.

The joint venture between Tarkett and a wood-based panel producer in North America which was already announced a couple of months ago as well as the JV with SONAE Industria in Germany which has been announced recently are clear steps towards this direction.

Egger clearly declares to stay on the European market and will not make any investments outside of Europe in the medium-term, but will restructure and further extend the laminate flooring production in the sites of St. Johann (A), Brilon (D) and Wismar (D).

Egger expects a further production increase of more than 20% compared to the previous year for FY 2005 / 2006 (until 30 April 2006).