Re German Competition Fine
April 14 2003 - 8:55AM
UK Regulatory
RNS Number:0038K
Lafarge
14 April 2003
* German competition authority fines cement companies
for anti-competitive practices in Germany
* Lafarge challenges the amount of its fine and will bring the case before the
Higher Regional Court in Dusseldorf
Lafarge Zement has been officially informed today of the decision of the German
competition authority (Bundeskartellamt) to fine the company Euro86 million for its
participation in anti-competitive practices in Germany.
Lafarge considers the amount of the fine to be disproportionate and will bring
the case before the Higher Regional Court (Oberlandesgericht) in Dusseldorf.
Lafarge restates that a provision of Euro300 million has been made in fiscal year
2002 to cover the European Commission decision against its Gypsum activities in
Europe, which Lafarge has appealed against, as well as the risk related to the
German competition authority investigation into the cement industry in Germany.
Lafarge is the world leader in building materials, and employs 77,000 people in
75 countries. The Group holds top-ranking positions in all four of its
Divisions: Cement, Aggregates & Concrete, Roofing and Gypsum. Lafarge posted
sales of Euro14.6 billion in 2002.
More information is available on: www.lafarge.com
PRESS CONTACTS: INVESTOR RELATIONS:
Veronique Doux: 33-1 44-34-18-18 James Palmer: 33-1 44-34-11-26
veronique.doux@lafarge.com james.palmer@lafarge.com
Daniele Daouphars: 33-1 44-34-11-51
daniele.daouphars@lafarge.com
Statements made in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-
looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are not guarantees of
future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions ("Factors")
which are difficult to predict. Some of the Factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking
statements include, but are not limited to: the cyclical nature of the Company's
business; national and regional economic conditions in the countries in which
the Group does business: currency fluctuations; seasonality of the Company's
operations; levels of construction spending in major markets; supply/demand
structure of the industry; competition from new or existing competitors;
unfavorable weather conditions during peak construction periods; changes in and
implementation of environmental and other governmental regulations; our ability
to successfully identify, complete and efficiently integrate acquisitions; our
ability to successfully penetrate new markets; and other Factors disclosed in
the Company's Reference Document filed with the French COB under the reference
number D.03-0375, and its annual report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission in the USA. In general, the Company is subject to the
risks and uncertainties of the construction industry and of doing business
throughout the world. The forward-looking statements are made as of this date
and the Company undertakes no obligation to update them, whether as a result of
new information, future events or otherwise.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
MSCSFLFELSDSEEL