Wienerberger opens largest brick plant in Estonia

Aseri (Estonia), November 30, 2006 – WienerbergerAS, a wholly owned subsidiary of Wienerberger AG, Number 1 in bricks worldwide, officially opened the largest and most modern brick plant in Estonia and the Baltic States on November 30. „The Baltic States are a promising economic region with growth rates well above the European average. Our decision to build a new plant in Aseri was based on the rising demand for facing bricks in the Baltic Region and Russia, which exceeded our present capacity in Aseri”, commented Johann Windisch, member of the Managing Board of Wienerberger AG responsible for Central-East Europe, at the inaugural celebration for this newly constructed plant.

Production in the new plant has started in August 2006 and is already running at full capacity, which equals 50 million brick units per year (30 million pieces). “Including the existing facing brick plant we now have a capacity of 78 million brick units (48 million pieces) in Aseri, which allows us to supply the entire Baltic region and also increase our market position in Russia with a focus on the St. Petersburg area”, added Windisch. The investment volume for the new plant totalled 250 million Estonian Crowns (€ 16.0 mill.).

Wienerberger entered this market in 2001, and has steadily expanded its position in the Baltic region since that time. Including the clay roof tile plant Wienerberger is currently operating three plants with a total of 220 employees in Aseri.

Wienerberger will also take further steps to expand its hollow brick activities in the Baltic States. “We have been importing hollow bricks from Poland to the Baltic States since 2005 and are now evaluating locations where to build a new hollow brick plant. Our target is to start production in this new plant within 15 months”, Windisch said in conclusion.

The new facing brick plant in Aseri represents part of the profitable Wienerberger bolt-on growth program, which is expected to total more than € 300 million in 2006. Wienerberger AG is the world’s largest producer of bricks and Nr. 2 on the clay roof tile market in Europe. The Group also holds leading positions with pavers in Europe and operates a total of more than 260 plants in 25 markets in Europe and the USA.

For additional information contact:
Eero Kotli, Member of the Managing Board of Wienerberger AS
T +37 (2) 6209 551