Niederweningen, 7 November 2008

Through its Kuhn Group division, Bucher Industries has acquired Blanchard SAS based in Chéméré, France. Blanchard, a French company specialised in manufacturing sprayers, generated sales of EUR 20 million in 2007 with 110 employees. The purchase price is not being disclosed.

By acquiring Blanchard SAS, a family-owned business, Kuhn Group is expanding its wide range of specialised agricultural machinery in the important area of spraying. Blanchard SAS is a renowned specialist in sprayers and has broad expertise in research, development and manufacturing. Its product line comprises technologically advanced sprayers in various capacities for agriculture and grounds maintenance.

Today, Blanchard primarily markets its products in France, with some exports to Central and Eastern Europe. Together with Kuhn Group's strong distribution network and industrial expertise, we expect sales to double within the next five years.

Kuhn Group is the world's leading manufacturer of specialised agricultural machinery, with focus on hay and forage harvesting, livestock feeding and bedding, and tillage. It has manufacturing facilities located in France, the USA and Brazil. Kuhn Group markets its products on five continents and generated sales of CHF 929 million in 2007 with about 3000 employees. In the first nine months of 2008, Kuhn Group posted a 29% increase in sales over the same period a year ago.

Contact
Philip Mosimann, CEO
Roger Baillod, CFO

Bucher Industries AG
Phone +41 43 815 80 88
Fax +41 43 815 80 81

Last year, Bucher Industries celebrated its 200th anniversary commemorating its successful evolution from a blacksmith's shop to a global technology group with leading market positions in speciality areas of mechanical and vehicle engineering. The company's operations currently include specialised agricultural machinery, municipal vehicles, wine and fruit juice production equipment, hydraulic components, and manufacturing equipment for the glass container industry. Bucher Industries' shares are traded on the SWX Swiss Exchange (SWX: BUCN).