GermanCapital buys into Germany’s leading kitchen manufacturer ALNO AG

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ots.CorporateNews transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer is responsible for
the content of this announcement.
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- GermanCapital acquires Commerzbank stake in ALNO AG - Voluntary
tender offer to all shareholders, priced at EUR 7.20 per share -
GermanCapital and Hellwig family will combine stakes to hold over 45
percent of the ALNO shares in joint bidding company - Strategy aims
at sustainable, profitable growth, under existing management

Munich, 16 October 2006. Bidding company Küchen Holding GmbH will
combine ALNO stakes of funds advised by Munich-based investment
company GermanCapital and the Hellwig family to own over 45 percent
of ALNO AG. Küchen Holding GmbH announces a voluntary tender offer to
all shareholders priced at EUR 7.20 per share. The bidding company
aims at a simple majority stake, in order to further develop ALNO´s
potential and give the company sustainable support with a long-term
entrepreneurial approach.

Upon foundation of Küchen Holding GmbH by GermanCapital, the bidding
company agreed to acquire 20.6 percent of ALNO from Commerzbank AG.

The strategic investor Whirlpool, holding a 25.6 percent stake in
ALNO, has also welcomed the announcement and will support Küchen
Holding GmbH by granting all voting rights for its stake. "With
GermanCapital, ALNO gains an investor with industry experience that
is well placed to support current management with financing know-how
and capital", said Dr. Marc Bitzer, President of Whirlpool Europe.

"ALNO AG is a well-established company with a first-class brand. In
cooperation with the Hellwig family and the strategic investor
Whirlpool, we support the set restructuring course and the strategy
chosen by current management. As a shareholder, GermanCapital will
support the company’s future growth - if required with the necessary
funding", said Dr. Jürgen Diegruber, Partner at GermanCapital.

With sales of EUR 613 million in 2005 and approximately 2.700
employees, ALNO is the second largest kitchen manufacturer worldwide
and market leader in Germany. After successful initial restructuring
steps, the main strategic focus of the company lies in further
efficiency improvements and international expansion.

At EUR 7.20 per share, the offered price comprises a premium of 13
percent on the average price of the preceding six months. "This offer
underlines our long-term confidence in ALNO´s business model and
growth perspective", said Diegruber.

The offering document for the voluntary public tender offer will be
published on www.kuechen-holding.de after authorization by German
regulator Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht (BaFin).

These transactions are conditional, amongst others, upon receipt of
customary regulatory approvals.

GermanCapital GermanCapital is a Munich-based investment company.
Together, GermanCapital partners combine significant experience in
investment, corporate finance, business consultancy and industry.
GermanCapital pursues long-term investments in mainly medium-sized
companies through a variety of financial instruments. The company
advises a fund volume of EUR 150 million.

Press contact:
Max Hohenberg
presse@germancapital.com
www.kuechen-holding.de
+49 (89) 599.458.132

Important information: This announcement does not constitute an offer
to buy or a solicitation to sell ALNO AG securities. The terms of the
offer and other representations regarding the offer will be published
in the offering document after authorization of publication by BaFin.

end of announcement euro adhoc 16.10.2006 07:08:18
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ots Originaltext: GermanCapital GmbH
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Further inquiry note:
Herr Max Hohenberg
Tel. +49(0)89 599458-132
Fax: +49(0)89 599458-100
E-Mail: Max.Hohenberg@cnc-communications.com

Branche: Technology
ISIN: Keine ISIN
WKN: No-WKN
Börsen: Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse / official dealing