Hexagon invests in new press line

12/16/2003 5:57 AM EST

HEXAGON INVESTS IN NEW PRESS LINE

Hexagons business area Engineering invests 70 MSEK in its subsidiary EBP
i Olofström AB (EBP).

The project will propel EBP to become one of Europe's most competitive
and complete suppliers of sheet metal parts to the automotive industry's
aftermarket. EBP will offer project management, stamping, assembly,
painting as well as final customer designed packing with bar codes via
electronic communication.

The project includes a large, flexible sheet metal press line. The line
becomes one of the largest, of its kind, in Europe. It is designed to
stamp large parts with multiple tooling changes. It will also be
equipped with an automated final assembly and packing line for direct
deliveries to EBP´s customers.

The investment of 70 MSEK will be spent over a two year period. The
project will lead to profit improvements as of 2005.

EBP is today supplying the Swedish and German automotive industry and
will with this investment continue its expansion to selected customers
in Europe.


For further information:
Ola Rollén, President & C.E.O. Håkan Halén, C.F.O.
Hexagon AB Hexagon AB
Phone: +46 (0)8 - 601 26 20 Phone: +46 (0)8 - 601 26 20


Hexagon AB is a multinational engineering group with the long-term
ambition of positioning itself as number one or number two within its
strategic sectors. The operation is divided into four business areas:
Hexagon Automation, Hexagon Engineering, Hexagon Metrology and Hexagon
Polymers. The group's targets are to increase earnings per share after
tax by at least 15 per cent p.a., and achieve a return on capital
employed higher than 15 per cent over the business cycle. Current
turnover amounts to more than 7 GSEK p.a.