Tarkett's German Shareholders Squeezed Out

Nanterre, France, August 3, 2006--As planned, Tarkett SA, the French-based holding for the international floor coverings manufacturer, has squeezed out minority shareholders of its German subsidiary Tarkett AG at a share price of EUR 19.50 in cash and has de-listed the company. Reports say the French industrialist family Deconinck, which dominates the holding, plans to sell some of its own shares and replace other current institutional investors shareholders--largely banks and funds--with private equity investors. Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR) and Vestar Capital Partners have been named.