ETTEPLAN INCREASES ITS SHARE OF OWNERSHI
Stock exchange release – Published: 11.06.2004 10:30:03
ETTEPLAN INCREASES ITS SHARE OF OWNERSHIP IN KONETTE DESIGN CENTER OY Etteplan Oyj and KONE Corporation have signed an agreement, according to which Etteplan will acquire a 21 % supplementary share of Etteplans and KONE Corporations joint venture Konette Design Center Oy. Etteplans share of ownership grows consequently from 60 % to 81 % and KONE Corporations share of ownership decreases from 40 % to 19 %. The acquisition follows the ownership strategy, which was agreed between Etteplan Oyj and KONE Corporation in 1999 when Konette was established. The strategic partnership between the companies has been established and does no longer require the stability the ownership has brought during the transition phase. Co-operation between Etteplan and KONE Corporation has expanded significantly and internationalised through Konette. Konette Design Center Oy offers design and project management services for hi-tech corporate clients on a global level. The core services include electronics, software, mechanics, electrics, automation and information design. The company employs 208 persons in Finland and Germany. The acquisition has no effect in the operational functions and the position of personnel. Etteplan Oyj is one of Finland's leading engineering design companies and supplies high-quality design services for the production and product development processes of industrial technology. The core areas of expertise are mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and automation design as well as software development and electronics design and EMC-services. In 2003, turnover of Etteplan Group were 51 MEUR. At the moment the company employs 942 persons in Finland, Sweden, Germany and Italy. Etteplan Oyj is listed on the NM List of Helsinki Exchanges. Hollola, 11 June, 2004 Etteplan Oyj Board of Directors For additional information, contact: Etteplan Oyj, CEO Heikki Hornborg, tel. +358 3 872 9011, GSM +358 400 873 063 or Konette Design Center Oy, Managing Director Timo Juvonen, Tel. +358 20 475 2251, GSM +358 400 493 054. DISTRIBUTION: Helsinki Exchanges Principal media www.etteplan.com