Tarkett 2006 Earnings Up 4.5%

Paris, France, July 26, 2007--The Tarkett Group said its net profits grew 4.5% in 2006, despite costs associated with reorganizing its operations in the U.S. and Western Europe, and challenging economic conditions.

Tarkett outlined its results in its newly released annual report for 2006.

Sales in Tarkett Residential grew 19.8% and contributed 54.4% of the company’s total sales, despite weakness in North America.

Tarkett said it undertook the “profound restructuring” in North America of all product segments in order to become profitable again. It said fiber floor products are selling well. It also got out of the commercial carpet business to focus on its hard-surface products and began construction of a laminate factory in Pennsylvania in a joint venture with Aconcagua that is scheduled to be in production soon.

Laminate sales in the U.S. grew by 60%, which the company said is substantially higher than the 10% growth of the overall market. The Tarkett-Aconcagua venture, as well as the acquisitions of Diamond W and McKee should help drive laminate sales even higher.

Tarkett also noted that its Fieldturf Tarkett products were installed in 456 of the 750 new stadium installations