Lapeyre Groupe Results

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain 27 March 2002 2001 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL RESULTS The Groupe Lapeyre Supervisory Board met today and approved the consolidated financial statements and results for the year ended December 31, 2001. Consolidated Sales Up 12.1% Consolidated sales rose by 12.1% to €1,458 million in 2001. The increase was 14.6% at constant exchange rates and 6% at comparable scope of consolidation, excluding Telhanorte, Menuiseries Francaises and Lapeyre Polksa, as well as Lapeyre Deutschland's companies in Germany, which were sold during the second half. Sales by business in € millions 2001 2000 % change Sales to consumers and contractors (B2C) 1,166.4 975.7 19.5% •France 991.4 909.0 9.1% •International 175.0 66.7 162.2% Sales to wholesalers and building materials suppliers (B2B) 291.7 325.5 -10.4% •France 193.6 193.1 0.2% •Europe 98.1 132.4 -25.9% Total Groupe Lapeyre 1,458.1 1,301.2 12.1% 2001 Consolidated Earnings in € millions 2001 2000 % change Sales 1,458.1 1,301.2 12.1% Operating income 140.6 123.2 14.1% Net income before exceptional capital losses 72.4 59.7 21.5% Non-operating loss (97.4) (8.0) NM Consolidated net income (25.0) 51.7 NM As part of the strategic commitment to refocusing its operations announced last July, the Group completed its withdrawal from Germany by selling all its local operating subsidiaries. Non-operating expenses related to this refocusing totaled €94.4 million In addition, a provision of €3 million was set aside for the closing of the Group's Spanish subsidiary, which has been operating at a loss for a number of years with no turnaround in sight. This increased total non-operating losses for the year to €97.4 million. As a result, the Group reported a consolidated net loss of €25 million. Excluding capital losses, net income would have risen by a strong 21.5%. Net debt amounted to €29.8 million at year-end and working capital requirement represented 44 days of sales. The Board of Directors closed the accounts for the Group's parent company, Lapeyre, showing a net loss of €10.6 million for 2001, after recognition of the €45 million writedown of shares in Lapeyre Deutschland and a €38.7 million provision for contingencies covering the company's negative net worth. At the Annual Meeting on June, 2002, the Board will ask shareholders to approve a dividend net of tax credit unchanged at €1.08 per share. Tax credit for individual investors will amount to €0.54 euros per share. The dividend will be paid as from June 10, 2002. Lapeyre - Investors Relations Patrick Mallet Tel: +33 (0) 1 48 11 74 14 Fax: +33 (0) 1 43 52 64 46 e.mail: patrick.mallet@lapeyre.fr This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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