Bucher Industries is expanding the specialised agricultural machinery business of its Kuhn Group division and acquiring Kverneland Group's baler operations based at the Dutch plant in Geldrop. The company manufactures balers, bale wrappers, drum mowers and maize choppers sold under the Vicon and Kverneland Taarup brands. It employs 400 people and expects sales of approximately EUR 140 million for 2008. The purchase price for the debt-free company is EUR 115 million.

Bucher Industries is acquiring Command Controls Corp., a US company based in Elgin, Illinois, for its Bucher Hydraulics division. Command Controls is specialised in manufacturing cartridge valves for hydraulic system solutions. In 2007, the company generated approximately CHF 13 million in sales with 91 employees. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.

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.

In the first nine months of 2008, Bucher Industries grew sales by 18% to CHF 2 119 million. Order intake rose by 14% to CHF 2 175 million, and the order book reached CHF 908 million, up 21% on the same period last year.

Bucher Industries continued to grow at a strong pace during the first half of 2008 despite adverse currency effects. Sales advanced by 19% to CHF 1 450 million. Order intake reached CHF 1 383 million, up 18% on the same period last year. Operating profit increased by 41% to CHF 132 million, and the Group's profit for the period rose by 32% to CHF 89 million.

Bucher Industries continued to perform well during the first quarter of 2008. Sales were up 20% to CHF 661 million and order intake rose by 19% to CHF 745 million. Organic growth was 21%.

Shareholders attending the annual general meeting of Bucher Industries AG on 15 April 2008 approved all proposals submitted by the board of directors. The dividend of CHF 5.00 per registered share will be paid from 18 April 2008 net of 35% withholding tax.

In 2007, Bucher Industries once again posted a significant increase in the Group's sales and profitability over the high prior year numbers. Sales rose by 18% year on year to CHF 2 459 million. Organic growth was 15%. Order intake totalled CHF 2 704 million, 25% ahead of the previous year. Operating profit climbed by 85% to CHF 229 million, an increase that far outpaced the sales growth. The Group's profit for the year grew by 79% to CHF 171 million.

Bucher Industries AG reports in its first disclosure of purchase and sale positions.

In 2007, its anniversary year, Bucher Industries increased sales by 18%
to CHF 2 459 million with high capacity utilisation levels. Organic growth contributed 15%. Order intake was up 25% on the previous year at CHF 2 704 million. The order book grew by 44%, ensuring full capacity utilisation well into the current year. Bucher Industries expects the Group's results for 2007 to show significantly higher operating and net profit.