VBG GROUP concentrates its production of sliding roof systems to the Czech Republic

The engineering Group VBG GROUP has decided to move its production of the SESAM sliding roof systems from the company in Houthalen, Belgium to the production facility in Kamenice nad Lipou, the Czech Republic. The action is a further step of the planned activities to carry out necessary structural rationalizations.

VBG GROUP has two brands in the product range of sliding roofs for trailers. The dominating brand, EDSCHA TRAILERS SYSTEMS, is manufactured in the Czech production unit since three years. The plant in the Czech Republic has been enlarged and the new factory with increased capacity will be ready to use during the fourth quarter of 2009. To also locate the production of the brand SESAM to the Czech Republic will lead to lower fixed costs and increased flexibility. The move will affect less than 10 persons in the Belgian company in Houthalen and will be concluded before the year-end. The cost of the move is estimated to approx MSEK 5 and will be accounted for 2009. The business responsibility for the brand SESAM will stay at VBG GROUP ETES NV, Houthalen compris-ing product design, marketing, sales and also a continued responsibility for final assembly and distribution of complete sliding roof systems to the local BeNeLux-market. In the beginning of 2010, the company will also move its operation from Houthalen to the nearby situated Beringen and to the sister company VBG GROUP SALES BENELUX NV. This in turn means possibilities to convey the property in Houthalen.

" We act now to make the production of the sliding roof systems more effective and to adjust the capacity to the market situation. The measure taken will increase our flexibility and strengthen our position when the market recovers", Anders Birgersson, President and CEO of VBG GROUP AB declares.

Vänersborg, 8 September 2009 VBG GROUP AB (publ)

For more information: CFO Claes Wedin +46 521 277706 / +46 70 608 7274

The VBG GROUP is an engineering Group with manufacturing and sales companies in Europe, India and the USA. The Group’s operations are divided into two business areas, VBG GROUP TRUCK EQUIPMENT and RINGFEDER POWER TRANSMISSION, with products that are marketed under strong, well-known brands. The VBG GROUP´s Series B share was first listed on the stock exchange in 1987 and is currently listed on Nasdaq OMX Nordic Exhange Mid Cap.