Bucher Industries is subscribing for shares issued by Jetter AG in a capital increase, raising its stake to 23%. Jetter AG will use the funds to finance its growth strategy.

Bucher Industries holds more than 5% in treasury shares

Bucher Industries announces that the sale of the Niederweningen component manufacturing operations has fallen through. Bühlmann Maschinen AG in Switzerland has not been able to raise the funds necessary for the purchase.

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.

Today the UK Competition Commission formally cleared the acquisition of Johnston Sweepers Ltd. completed by Bucher Industries at the end of March 2005.

During the first half of 2005, Bucher Industries increased sales by 21% to CHF 985 million, up 14% excluding the impact of acquisitions. Order intake rose by 3% to CHF 892 million. Excluding the effect of acquisitions, this was 4% below the very high level seen a year ago. Our operating result climbed by 57% to CHF 55 million and our net result improved by CHF 21 million to CHF 39 million.

Bucher Industries and family-owned Bühlmann AG, Berschis, Switzerland, reached an agreement for the sale of the Niederweningen component manufacturing operations to Bühlmann AG. Bühlmann AG will continue manufacturing at the Niederweningen site. The sale is scheduled for completion in October 2005.

At the annual general meeting of 26 April 2005, the shareholders of Bucher Industries AG approved the introduction of a standard registered share and adopted all proposals of the board of directors.

In the first quarter 2005, Bucher Industries reported sales of CHF 425 million, representing a 12% increase. Incoming orders amounted to CHF 500 million and exceeded the previous year by 6%.

The UK Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has referred Bucher Industries' completed acquisition of Johnston Sweepers Ltd. to the UK Competition Commission for a competition investigation.

Bucher Industries completed the purchase of the European and Australian activities with municipal vehicles of Johnston Sweepers from Ennstone plc.

Bucher Industries reported positive results on the business year 2004. Sales increased by 7% to CHF 1 641 million, while incoming orders of CHF 1 793 million exceeded last year by 21%. As a result of a higher business volume and consistent cost management, the group achieved an operating result of CHF 91 million, representing an increase of 55% although the margins remained under pressure. Net result rose by 47% to CHF 54 million.

Bucher Industries takes over the European and Australian sweeper business of Johnston Sweepers Ltd. from U.K. based Ennstone plc. The division Bucher Automotive and Johnston are both leading in the compact and truck-mounted sweeper business in largely complementary sales territories. The acquisition not only strengthens Bucher Automotive's position in Europe and enables it to enter the Australian market, but also creates growth potential in North America and Southeast Asia. The purchase price on a debt and cash free basis amounts to CHF 45 million.

The Board of Directors of Bucher Industries AG will propose the introduction of a standard registered share at the Annual General Meeting to be held on 26 April 2005. By simplifying the structure of voting and capital rights, the technology group follows international and national standards. All Bucher Industries shareholders will enjoy equal status and the principle "one share - one vote" in the future. The simplified share structure will increase the share liquidity and is a good foundation for future growth.

Bucher Industries announces that as of January 2006, Martin Jetter will take up the position as president of Emhart Glass. The division's former president, Kurt E. Siegenthaler, will resign for age reasons by the end of 2005. Bucher Industries buys a 20% interest in the German automation and control systems specialist Jetter AG this February.

Bucher Industries is taking over Companhia de Implementos Agricolas MTS, a member of the Brazilian Metasa Group in Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, for the extension of its Kuhn Group Division. Both Kuhn Group and Metasa are leaders in complementary fields of specialized agricultural machinery. The transaction will strengthen the presence of Kuhn Group in the upcoming Latin American markets. The transaction price will be treated confidential.

Bucher Industries increased 2004 sales by 7% (6% adjusted for currency effects) to 1 641 million CHF. Incoming orders reached 1 793 million CHF, surpassing the prior-year figure by 21% (20% adjusted for currency effects). The group's growth was generated by all divisions except Bucher Foodtech. Bucher Industries anticipates both its operating result and its net result to surpass prior-year figures.