EANS-Adhoc: RHI AG secures competitive position based on new group structure - capacity is adjusted to difficult market environment

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ad-hoc disclosure transmitted by euro adhoc with the aim of a Europe-wide
distribution. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this
announcement.
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08.04.2009

RHI AG, the world market leader in refractories, announced a
comprehensive programme for structural optimisation and increased
efficiency on 12 March 2009. This programme provides for cost savings
amounting to approx. EUR 80 million p.a. and is now being enforced.
The profit centre organisation has been successfully implemented with
effect from 1 April 2009. At the same time, capacity worldwide will
be adjusted with immediate effect due to the ongoing difficult
economic climate. In addition, RHI will also evaluate the existing
plant concept in the next months within the framework of structural
optimisation in order to secure its competitive position in the long
term and to better utilise the growth opportunities in Asia and South
America.

Efficiency increases resulting from the new profit centre
organisation entail a staff reduction by roughly 250 jobs. The
cutback of production volume due to the crisis leads to a reduction
by 750 jobs in production. Overall, RHI will reduce the number of
employees in administration and production from 7,766 by approx.
1,000 jobs worldwide in the year 2009.

The measures now implemented account for half of the targeted cost
savings of EUR 80 million p.a. in the financial year 2009. The
reduction of personnel costs will accomplish approx. 50% of the
targeted savings; 50% will be realised through material costs. In
addition, a programme to reduce current assets has been implemented
in order to further strengthen liquidity.

The initiated capacity adjustments as well as the new,
future-oriented group structure will secure the Group´s
competitiveness on a sustained basis.

end of announcement euro adhoc
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ots Originaltext: RHI AG
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Further inquiry note:

RHI AG

Investor Relations

Mag. Barbara Potisk

Tel: +43-1-50213-6123

Email: barbara.potisk@rhi-ag.com

Branche: Refractories
ISIN: AT0000676903
WKN: 874182
Index: ATX Prime, ATX
Börsen: Wiener Börse AG / official dealing