ROTHENBERGER AG acquires French market leader and competitor VIRAX S.A.S.

Press Release

Kelkheim/Germany, 12th October 2011

ROTHENBERGER AG acquires French market leader and competitor VIRAX S.A.S.

Today ROTHENBERGER AG, domiciled at Kelkheim near Frankfurt, Germany, has successfully closed the important acquisition of all shares, trademarks and the notable customer base of its French competitor VIRAX S.A.S. (www.virax.com), located in Epernay (Champagne).

The well-established company VIRAX S.A.S. has been operating in the market for more than 90 years, so far as a major subsidiary of the French tool producer FACOM S.A.S. and as such part of the international Stanley Black&Decker Group listed at the New York Stock Exchange. In 2010, VIRAX S.A.S. achieved with a headcount of about 200 employees more than 75 % of its sales in the French market, turning the company into the leading national supplier of pipe tools for sanitary, heating and air conditioning.

Numerous major French and European customers and trade associations today trust in the quality and reliability of VIRAX tools which are mainly produced by the company itself - features that are also characteristic for ROTHENBERGER, the leading European supplier in this industry sector. Its owner and CEO, Dr. Helmut Rothenberger, is convinced that "with this acquisition, we did not only create a strategic European alliance in our industry, but will also be able to offer our customers further attractive brands for the individual requirements of their trading firms. Ultimately, all this will serve the professional end users of our tools who trust in the premium quality of all our products every day."

With the expansion of ROTHENBERGER's extensive product portfolio by VIRAX tools, the market share of the Group does not only considerably increase in France and Europe, but also in the emerging African markets.

"In the future, ROTHENBERGER will continue to efficiently facilitate the daily work of professionals in the field of pipe installation and maintenance through a comprehensive product range. From now on, this also includes premium VIRAX products", comments CEO Dr. Helmut Rothenberger on the attractive combination of both traditional brands.

Both companies, according to Dr. Helmut Rothenberger, share an optimistic outlook to their joint future, with an expected sales growth by 10 % in 2011 and 5 % in 2012, and thus an adequate return on investment. The purchase price for the acquisition remained undisclosed.

VIRAX will remain independent as an individual brand on the market. Through the recruitment of Mr. Michel Moulin, the company has gained a highly experienced and successful French CEO who will set VIRAX on the right course for the benefit of both the customers and the employees, as well as of ROTHENBERGER.

ROTHENBERGER AG belongs to the Dr. Helmut Rothenberger Holding GmbH, located in Anif/Salzburg, Austria. The corporate group encompasses a total of more than 80 companies with more than 3,000 employees, generates a turnover exceeding EUR 600 million and is one of the leading market players in the three business areas pipe tools and machinery for sanitary technology, heating, air-conditioning, refrigeration, gas and environmental engineering under the management of ROTHENBERGER AG (www.rothenberger.com), machine tools, with the focus on complete machining, precision grinding and forming, managed by AUTANIA AG (www.autania.de) and administration and marketing of energy efficient real estate activities under the management of REAL AG (www.realag-immobilien.de).

The Rothenberger Group is also the main shareholder of the nexMart GmbH & Co. KG which operates an international internet trade portal at www.nexmart.net for the sectors of tools, fittings, hardware, timber, garden equipment and auxiliary materials.

In addition to these, Dr. Helmut Rothenberger Holding is the majority shareholder in NORDWEST Handel AG (www.nordwest.com), a listed company with its head office in Hagen which oversees a trade volume of around EUR 2 billion per annum in production interrelated trade (PIT), steel and sanitary products.

For further information please contact:

ROTHENBERGER AG

Mr. Ralf Weber and Mr. Michel Moulin

Spessartstraße 2 - 4

D-65779 Kelkheim

Tel: +49-6195-800-2004

Fax: +49 6195 800-2009

Please note: All press releases of ROTHENBERGER AG can be found and downloaded under www.ROTHENBERGER.com