Niederweningen, 27 October 2005

At CHF 1 418 million, Bucher Industries increased sales for the first three quarters of 2005 by 23%, up 14% excluding acquisitions. Order intake rose 1% to CHF 1 445 million. Adjusted for the Kuhn Brazil and Johnston acquisitions, order intake was down 7% on the previous year's very high figure.

Group sales as of the end of September 2005 rose 22.9% to CHF 1 418.1 million, currency-adjusted 23.2 %. Internal growth accounted for 14.0%. The order intake of CHF 1 445.2 million exceeded the previous year's considerable high by 0.9%. Excluding the effect of currency and acquisitions, order intake was down 6.6%. The order book dropped 9.5%, 17.0% adjusted for currency movements and acquisitions. On 15 September 2005, the Competition Commission of the United Kingdom approved unconditionally the integration of previously acquired Johnston Sweepers Ltd. Fulfilment of the conditions for the sale of component manufacturer Bucher Promec, Niederweningen, Switzerland, is delayed. Completion is expected to take place in the forth quarter 2005.

Kuhn Group increased sales of specialized agricultural machinery by 11.3% to CHF 587.3 million. Not taking into account the Kuhn Brazil acquisition the increase was 9.4%. Slow capital spending prompted by uncertainties regarding future European agricultural policy and drought conditions in much of southern Europe and South America combined to reduce order intake compared with the same period of previous year by 5.1% to CHF 588.8 million.

Bucher Municipal increased sales with municipal vehicles by 62.9% in the first three quarters of 2005to CHF 301.4 million. Excluding the Johnston acquisition, the sales growth was 10.1%. The order intake of CHF 315.2 million was up 50.4%, 3.3% adjusted for acquisitions. The integration of Johnston is proceeding according to plan.

Bucher Process, with sales of CHF 115.3 million and an order intake of CHF 110.2 million, exceeded results for the same period in 2004 by 6.4% and 1.2% respectively. The products for fruit juice and wine production both contributed to the increase in sales.

Bucher Hydraulics' sales were 11.9% ahead of the same period last year totalling CHF 205.1 million. Order intake rose 5.8% to CHF 201.3 million. High demand, particularly for mobile hydraulics used in construction machinery, material handling equipment and agricultural machinery, were basis for this good performance.

At Emhart Glass, sales in the first three quarters of the current year grew by 39.3% to CHF 208.8 million. At CHF 221.8 million, order intake was 25.0% below the previous year's very high figure.

The Group confirms its projections for the year, expecting high sales growth generated by strong internal growth and acquisitions, along with an improved operating and net results. Slightly lower demand for agricultural machinery is likely to continue. All other divisions expect stable development.

Bucher Industries is a global technology group with leading market positions in specialty areas of mechanical and vehicle engineering. The company's operations include specialized agricultural machinery, municipal vehicles, wine and fruit juice production plant, hydraulic components, and production equipment for the container glass industry. Bucher Industries' shares are traded on SWX Swiss Exchange (SWX: BUCN).

Kontakt
Philip Mosimann, CEO
Roger Baillod, CFO
Telefon +41 44 857 22 07