Sofinim NV, the private equity subsidiary of Ackermans & van Haaren (AvH), and management led by Mr Jan Ide, have reached an agreement with the family Vanden Avenne for the acquisition of SpanoGroup NV. With this agreement the family Vanden Avenne has opted for the continuation and the independence of SpanoGroup NV. SpanoGroup NV, combines the companies Spano NV (particle board), Dekaply NV (melamine faced board), Spanolux NV (MDF) and Balterio NV (laminate flooring) The group has production sites in Oostrozebeke, Erembodegem and Vielsalm and has about 800 employees in Belgium. In 2005, the consolidated turn-over amounted to approximately ¤ 200 mio and the EBITDA to ¤ 22 mio. Completion of this agreement is subject to the approval of the Belgian Competition Authorities. With its choice for the combination of management and AvH, the family Vanden Avenne emphasizes the importance of an anchoring of SpanoGroup NV as an independent player in a competitive market. Furthermore, the group, its management and employees will have the possibility to consolidate the growth of the last few years and to continue this profitable development in the future. SpanoGroup NV was founded in 1963, is an integrated producer of different sorts of wood based panels such as particle board, melamine faced board, MDF and laminate flooring. SpanoGroup NV mainly concentrates on offering high value-added products such as moisture-resistant, fire-retardant, constructive, decorative and light board materials. The entrance of Sofinim NV in SpanoGroup NV offers continuity in the group's policy and the aim to obtain long term profitable growth for all activities. In case of approval by the Belgian Competition Authorities, we expect to complete the investment before the end of 2006. The exact financing structure still needs to be finalised but Sofinim NV (AvH 74%) will acquire a significant majority interest as part of this transaction, the enterprise value of which amounts to approximately ¤ 160 mio. Antwerpen, November 10th 2006 For further information please contact Piet Dejonghe - Member of the Executief Comité Ackermans & van Haaren NV Tel. +32 (0)3 897 92 14 e-mail : [email protected] Wim Seynaeve - representative of SpanoGroup tel.: +32 (56) 66 70 21 e-mail : [email protected] web : www.spanogroup.be Ackermans & van Haaren is a diversified group active in 4 key sectors: dredging, environmental and construction services (DEME, one of the largest dredging companies in the world - Algemene Aannemingen Van Laere, a leading contractor in Belgium), private banking (Bank Delen, one of the largest independent private asset managers in Belgium - Bank J.Van Breda & C°, niche bank for entrepreneurs and liberal professions), Real Estate (Leasinvest Real Estate, a listed real-estate investment trust with real estate assets of ¤ 467 million - Extensa, an important land and real estate developer focused on Belgium and Luxemburg) and private equity (Sofinim, one of the largest private equity providers in Belgium, and GIB). The group concentrates on a limited number of strategic participations with an important potential for growth. Market capitalisation of AvH is approximately ¤ 2 billion. AvH is included in the Next 150 index, the BEL Mid index and is a member of Euronext Next Prime. All press releases issued by AvH and its most important group companies as well as the 'Investor Presentation' can also be consulted on the AvH website: www.avh.be.