Sandvik acquires German engineering company DEPO

DEPO provides complete solutions for production of dies and molds for cars, electronics, white goods and consumables of all kinds, such as packaging products and plastic bottles. The market for these kinds of applications is considered to be one of the fastest growing within the engineering industry.

DEPO's sales in 2003 amounted to EUR 30 million. The company is the market leader in Germany. DEPO is based in Marienfeld, Nordrhein-Westfalen, and has some 80 employees.

DEPO will strengthen Sandvik Tooling's position within the die and mold industry. In Germany, DEPO sales and marketing will continue through their existing channels. Outside Germany, DEPO's offering will be marketed through Sandvik Tooling channels.

"Acquiring DEPO offers considerable opportunities for growth and synergies. DEPO has a competitive product portfolio and valuable expertise, which will be combined with Sandvik Tooling's global sales and marketing resources" says Anders Thelin, President Sandvik Tooling. "Within Sandvik Tooling, DEPO can both expand business operations and increase its productivity by capitalizing on the synergies offered within the business area."

DEPO's offering to customers consists of tools for metal cutting, machine tools, application expertise, CAM software as well as after-market service and training. DEPO's current owner, Heinz Deitert, will continue working in close cooperation with Sandvik to further develop the DEPO concept.

The acquisition is subject to approval of the anti-trust authorities.

Sandviken, 30 September 2004

Sandvik AB; (publ)