Pfleiderer’s Overdiek Finalist for FT Award

Neumarkt, Germany, September 14, 2007--The spokesman of the executive board of Pfleiderer AG, Hans H. Overdiek, is a finalist for the “Strategist of the Year” award presented by Financial Times Deutschland, with consultants Bain & Company and the WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management.

Overdiek, who heads the Neumarkt-based engineered wood manufacturing company, took second place in the category of revenues below EUR 5 billion. Thirteen of the approximately 100 listed companies in Germany with revenues in excess of EUR 1 billion made it to the final round.

For the fourth time, the organizers recognized executive board members of companies that far outpaced their market competitors because of their strategy, and who have demonstrated above-average long-term success along objectively measured criteria.

The Pfleiderer Group’s successful realignment was recognized during the awards ceremony. In August 2003, Overdiek launched a comprehensive restructuring program upon taking office. He focused the group on its engineered wood business area, selling all equity interests not compatible with the core business. At the same time, he systematically expanded the Company’s product portfolio through acquisitions and reduced liabilities.

Today, the Pfleiderer Group is again on firm financial ground, with an equity ratio of almost 40%, and is positioned for further growth.

In the first half of 2007, Pfleiderer revenue rose by 31% year-on-year to EUR 886.2 million. Consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) rose by 34% to EUR 121.0 million.

“Pfleiderer is operationally and financially in an outstanding position to continue its high-earnings growth. We expect revenue and earnings to continue to advance strongly, and that consolidated profit growth will outpace revenue. We are using the successful integration of the Kunz group and the acquisition of the Swedish laminate flooring manufacturer Pergo to leverage additional international growth," Overdiek said.