Pontos and Finnish Industry Investment to develop Valmet Automotive with Metso; First step is the acquisition of Karmann´s convertible roof business - Seite 2

engineering, manufacturing and business services.

"This acquisition is so far the most significant step in our strategy to expand
internationally and to become a leading supplier of a wide range of services for
the automotive industry industry. The engineering and manufacturing of
convertible roofs at Karmann represents the best of the industry, and its
customers include BMW/MINI, Daimler, Renault and Bentley. Karmann´s roof know-
how complements Valmet Automotive´s convertible know-how and substantially
increases our capacity in engineering and in component manufacturing, " notes
Ilpo Korhonen, President, Valmet Automotive. "The manufacturing of convertibles
in Europe is estimated to reach the pre-recession level of over half a million
cars by 2012-2013. The roof systems of convertibles require special know-how,
and they are often acquired from specialized suppliers, " Korhonen continues.

"Globally, the electric car segment will grow strongly in the next ten years.
Thanks to its strong quality image and far-sighted strategy, Valmet Automotive
is a frontrunner in this development. For Valmet Automotive, acquiring Karmann´s
roof business strengthens connections to Central Europe´s leading car
manufacturers and gives the company critical mass, enabling the development of
the roof business, the utilization of the accumulated electric car know-how and
the strategic development of the company from a totally new platform. Through
our investment, we want to be part of this development, " note Pontos Group´s CEO
Kai Becker and Finnish Industry Investment Ltd´s Investment Director Heikki
Vesterinen.

Karmann´s convertible roof business currently employs over 700 people in
Osnabrück, Germany, and Zary, Poland; they will transfer to Valmet Automotive´s
payroll. The net sales of the business to be acquired are estimated to be about
EUR 180 million in 2010. As one of three leading suppliers of roof systems,
Karmann has a market share of about 25 percent and an order backlog spanning
several years.

Valmet Automotive is a provider of engineering, manufacturing and business
services for the automotive industry. In 2009 the company´s net sales were EUR
56 million. It employs about 800 people. The company´s Head Office is in
Uusikaupunki, Finland, and it has units in Frankfurt, Germany, and Gothenburg,
Sweden.  A new unit will be opened this year in the United States.

Porsche Cayman sports cars, electric Garia golf cars and THINK City urban cars
are currently manufactured in Uusikaupunki. The plan is to start serial
production of Fisker Karma hybrid cars in the first quarter of 2011. There are
engineering projects under way for several customers.

Metso is a global supplier of sustainable technology and services for mining,
construction, power generation, automation, recycling and the pulp and paper
industries. We have about 27,000 employees in more than 50 countries.
www.metso.com

For further information for the press, please contact:
Ilpo Korhonen, President, Valmet Automotive, tel. [phone]
Johanna Henttonen, Vice President, Investor Relations, Metso Corporation, tel.
[phone]

Press conference on November 5, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. local time

A press conference for media will be held (in Finnish) today, Friday, November
5, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. local time at Metso Group Head Office, Fabianinkatu 9A,
Helsinki, Finland. The press conference will be attended by Valmet Automotive´s
President Ilpo Korhonen, Metso Corporation´s CFO and Chairman of Valmet
Automotive´s Board of Directors Olli Vaartimo, Finnish Industry Investment Ltd
´s Director Kimmo Viertola, and Pontos Group´s CEO Kai Becker.

[HUG#1459377]

This announcement is distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of
Thomson Reuters clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that:
(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and
other applicable laws; and
(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and
originality of the information contained therein.

Source: Metso Corporation via Thomson Reuters ONE

Wertpapiere des Artikels:
FI0009007835