Dürr receives order worth 51 million euros from BMW

08/29/2001

• Greater flexibility and efficiency by using paint application robots throughout
• Business brisk as the second half of the business year commences

Dürr AG's Paint Systems business unit has received an order to the value of approximately Euro 51 million for the supply of three paint systems to BMW at its Dingolfing factory.

BMW is investing in three new primer lines (paint coat applied prior to top-coat finishing) to increase efficiency and flexibility in the painting of their Series 3, 5 and 7 and special models. The first line will be commissioned early in 2003. The three lines are designed to handle a total capacity of approximatelly 1,200 bodies per day.

This systems contract encompasses three complete primer lines with fully-automatic robotic paint application, paint supply systems, ovens, conveyors, work stations, environmental protection equipment and recycling of energy as well as control systems. The order includes Dürr robots designed to apply environmentally friendly, waterborne paint to the whole of the body, i.e. both the interior cell and the exterior skin. The robots are to be equipped with Ecopurge Reflow, innovative equipment designed to minimize paint wastage on the multi-colour paint application line. The new concept permits much more flexible handling of different body types. In addition both paint refinishing and operating costs can be lowered, thus leading to greater overall efficiency. BMW previously placed an order with Dürr at the beginning of the year for paint robots for the paint shop at its Munich factory.

The Dürr Technology Group is one of the world's leading suppliers of manufacturing systems and manufacturing support services for the automobile industry and its suppliers. In the first six months of 2001 Dürr increased sales by 30% to Euro 888 million and EBITDA by 58% to Euro 54.1 million. Despite a general weakening in the world and automobile economies, business has been reassuringly brisk in July and August with the receipt of several firm orders as well as Letters of Intent relating to other large projects. In the current year Dürr again expects to achieve double-digit growth percentages in sales and earnings, with a more than proportionate increase in earnings.