Forbo Earnings Rise 16 Percent in First Half

Baar, Switzerland, Aug. 19, 2008--Swiss floor covering maker Forbo Holding AG Tuesday reported a 16 percent rise in first half net profit to $49.3 million.

Forbo said it expects market conditions to be more difficult in the second half of the year and that the economy will slow down further. Additional complications are the cost of energy and exchange rates.

In the first half of 2008, the Forbo Group repeated the success of the previous year and again reported strong earnings growth. Operating profit increased by 10.4 percent compared with the prior-year period.

Flooring Systems grew by a 6.1 percent.