(Ad-hoc) Dürr lowers earnings forecast for 2004

11/04/2004 - Dürr AG - WKN 556520 / ISIN DE0005565204

• Unforeseen expenses totaling 12 - 14 million euros at Ecoclean and Final Assembly Systems
• Earnings before taxes expected to be between 8 and 12 million euros in 2004
• SPRINT SQUARED proceeding on schedule

At Dürr's Ecoclean business unit, problems involved in winding up individual orders - in particular, while putting new process technology into operation - have led to additional expenses totaling about 5 to 6 million euros. In the Final Assembly Systems business unit, unforeseen expenses of 7 to 8 million euros were incurred by the US subsidiary Dürr Production Systems. At this company implementation problems arose unexpectedly during the launch of complex final assembly products on the North American market.

As a result of these charges amounting to a total of 12 to 14 million euros, the Board of Management now expects consolidated earnings before taxes of between 8 and 12 million euros for 2004 after previously forecasting an EBT of more than 18.7 million euros.

The company-wide earnings enhancement program SPRINT SQUARED is moving ahead briskly. The development of business and earnings in the Paint Systems and Services business units is stable and in line with expectations. The Measuring Systems business unit will markedly improve its earnings before taxes and reach the break-even point in 2004.

Dürr will release its interim report for the period ended September 30, 2004 on November 12.

Dürr AG
The executive board

End of disclosure