Press Releases 2003

January 9, 2003
Bilfinger Berger to carry out squeeze-out at Rheinhold & Mahla AG

Bilfinger Berger intends to carry out a squeeze-out at its new subsidiary, Rheinhold & Mahla AG. On May 12, 2003, it will be proposed to the shareholders' meeting of Rheinhold & Mahla AG that the remaining minority shareholders are excluded from the company in return for the payment of an appropriate cash compensation, in accordance with Sections 327a ff. of the German Stock Corporation Law.

Now that Bilfinger Berger holds 98.68% of the capital stock of Rheinhold & Mahla AG, as a result of the successful takeover bid in July 2002 followed by additional share purchases, it no longer seems reasonable to maintain the company's stock-exchange listing.

With the acquisition of this company and in line with its strategic development into a multi-service group, Bilfinger Berger has now completed its entry into the attractive market for industrial services. Rheinhold & Mahla is active in many countries of Europe and in the year 2002 it achieved a total output volume of some €800 million with a workforce of around 10,000 employees. Despite goodwill amortization, the company will make a positive contribution to the net profit of the Bilfinger Berger Group right from the start.