Press Releases 2004

May 26, 2004
Bilfinger Berger strengthens position in Poland through acquisition

Bilfinger Berger is able to report a further success in the implementation of its corporate strategy through acquisitions: in Poland, the Group is taking over WPRD S.A., a company specializing in road building. This acquisition strengthens Bilfinger Berger's position in view of a massive increase in transportation infrastructure investment following Poland's recent accession to the European Union. Warsaw-based WPRD was previously in the ownership of its management and employees. Bilfinger Berger has already secured more than 90 percent of the company's shares.

WPRD has posted consistently good results in recent financial years, and meets the stringent criteria that Bilfinger Berger stipulates for takeover candidates. Its past output volume of about €50 million per year will rise significantly in future. With Bilfinger Berger as a strong, internationally experienced partner, WPRD is excellently positioned to benefit in particular from the building boom that will result from EU enlargement in Eastern Europe. The sale is still subject to the approval of the Polish competition authorities.

Through this acquisition, Bilfinger Berger is complementing the activities of its Polish subsidiary Hydrobudowa-6, a successful civil engineering company that has belonged to the Group since 1994. With the takeover, Bilfinger Berger will soon have output volume of around €200 million annually in Poland.

Bilfinger Berger will maintain its strategy of focused internationalization, putting the emphasis on challenging infrastructure projects and the expansion of the Company's presence in regions where it is already successfully represented.