Press release

Eastern Europe supports Dyckerhoff’s growth in the first quarter 2008

Group sales up by 36 % – Full-year 2008 forecast slightly improved

In the first quarter 2008 Group sales rose by 36 % to EUR 400 million. The overall business environment was positive in Western and Eastern Europe. The expanding construction industries, especially in Eastern Europe, spurred the business, while in the USA both the slow-down in residential construction and the poor weather at the beginning of the year caused declines in sales. The construction activity in Germany and Luxembourg developed on a modest scale. Overall, increased volumes and prices – with the exception of USA – contributed to the sales growth in all countries. The increase in concrete volumes is primarily due to the inclusion of the Dutch Dyckerhoff Basal Group, which has been consolidated since June 2007.

With an increase by EUR 48 million to EUR 91 million, EBITDA more than doubled. The result before taxes improved by a total of EUR 44 million to EUR 55 million. Net profit, too, considerably outperformed the previous year, it increased by EUR 32 million to EUR 40 million.

«For 2008 as a whole, we expect a continuation of the positive development», says Wolfgang Bauer, CEO of Dyckerhoff AG. «We assume a slight improvement in Group sales and results.»

Bauer adds: «End of April, the rating agency Moody’s upgraded the investment grade rating of Dyckerhoff. It is now Baa2 (long-term) and P-2 (short-term) with stable outlook. Herewith, our stable financial situation has been taken into consideration.»