Wienerberger AG: Wienerberger increases capacity in the UK

Vienna (pta012/17.07.2014/10:00 UTC+2) Significant increase in UK construction activity
- Wienerberger has reacted quickly and initiated measures to meet rising demand
- Around 200 million more bricks per annum will be produced by re-activating mothballed factories, investing in technology upgrades, adding shifts and new jobs throughout its UK operations, and importing from the continent
- Earnings contribution from re-activated plants will be reflected in 2015 results

In the UK, government initiatives including the Help to Buy Scheme, have led to a revival of the housing market and a significant increase in construction activity. Experts have estimated a total of 165,000 housing starts for 2014, an increase of more than 23,000 units from the previous year. This increase has led to a certain supply shortage in the British market. In order to offer its customers the best possible service, Wienerberger already implemented measures to expand its capacity in 2013, which will be fully in place by the end of this year. Firstly, Wienerberger invested in technology upgrades and added shifts and new jobs throughout its UK operations. Using the group-wide business network, additional delivery capacity was also created by importing facing bricks from Belgium and the Netherlands. Now, in a further step, Wienerberger has reactivated two of its mothballed plants in Great Britain at Hartlebury and Ewhurst. Wienerberger will increase production by around 200 million bricks per annum, which equates to around 25,000 new homes per year. With an unrivalled wide range of products for wall, roofing and pavers, Wienerberger can offer its customers in the UK highquality solutions for sustainable construction.

FY Guidance of Euro 300 mn. operating EBITDA on Group level confirmed
The capacity expansions in the UK have no significant impact on the results of Wienerberger Group in 2014. Heimo Scheuch explains: "At the beginning of the year we have already anticipated the positive developments in the UK which were already included in our earnings estimates for the full year. Although the demand in the UK is slightly above expectations, some countries in Western Europe such as the Netherlands and France have seen a slightly weaker performance. The mothballed plants will be re-activated over the next few months and contribute to our results next year. Therefore, I can only confirm our guidance for the full year for an operating EBITDA of Euro 300 million (before consolidation of Tondach) on a Group level from today's perspective. Wienerberger will continue on its growth path this year and return to profitability."

Wienerberger Group
Founded in Vienna in 1819, Wienerberger today is a leading provider of wall, roof, landscaping and pipe system innovations. The Group is the world's largest producer of bricks (Porotherm, Terca) as well as number one on the clay roof tile market (Koramic, Tondach) in Europe and on the concrete paver market (Semmelrock) in Central-East Europe. In pipe systems (Steinzeug-Keramo ceramic pipes and Pipelife plastic pipes), the company is one of the market leaders in Europe. With 213 plants, Wienerberger generated revenues of Euro 2,663 million and operating EBITDA of Euro 267 million in 2013.

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Wienerberger AG is a pure free float company, whereby the majority of shares are held by Austrian and international institutional investors. Additional information on the shareholder structure is provided under http://www.wienerberger.com/investor-relations/the-wienerberger-share/the-wienerberger-share/shareholder-structure

For additional information contact:
Barbara Braunöck, Head of Corporate Communications Wienerberger
T +43 1 601 92 - 10221 | communication@wienerberger.com

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Emitter:	Wienerberger AG Wienerbergstraße 11 1100 Wien Austria
Contact Person:	Barbara Braunöck
Phone:	+43 1 60192 10221
E-Mail:	communication@wienerberger.com
Website:	www.wienerberger.com
ISIN(s):	AT0000831706 (Share)
Stock Exchange(s):	Vienna Stock Exchange (Official Trade)