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Rome, Italy -- May 13, 2008 -- The Board of Directors of Finmeccanica S.p.A. has decided to enter the shareholding of Eurotech through the acquisition of 11.1% of the Companys share capital - equivalent to 3,936,461 shares - from a number of the companys founders (Dino Feragotto, Roberto Chiandussi, Giorgio Pezzulli) at a price of €4.60 per share.
Finmeccanica will also sign a shareholder agreement with the current management of Eurotech – Chairman Roberto Siagri, Vice Chairman Massimo Mauri and Chief Technical Officer Giampietro Tecchiolli (“Manager Shareholders”) – who today hold around 10.7% of the share capital of the Company. The agreement will be communicated to the appropriate authorities and to the market in accordance with the terms foreseen by current regulations.
The entrance into Eurotechs share capital will reinforce the strategic partnership initiated in July 2006 by means of an agreement for commercial and scientific cooperation, and will permit a further deepening of relations between the two Groups, particularly given the progress made by Eurotech in the development of innovative products as well as significant growth in new geographic areas of strategic importance to Finmeccanica such as the United States and Japan.
The operation is subject to the approval by the relevant regulatory authorities. Finmeccanica is assisted by Mediobanca, as financial advisor for the transaction.
About Finmeccanica
Headquartered in Italy, Finmeccanica (FNC.MI) is a leading global high-tech company with core competencies in the design and manufacture of helicopters, civil and Military aircraft, aero structures, satellites, space infrastructure, missiles and defense electronics and Security. The Group also boasts productive assets and consolidated competencies in the transport and energy sectors. Finmeccanica, listed on the Milan stock exchange, operates in Italy and abroad through subsidiaries and joint ventures, with a consolidated total of 60,000 employees of whom 10,000 are in the UK, 3,500 in France and 2,000 in the USA.
Finmeccanica has a top level role in the European aerospace and defense industry, and is present in the major international programs in the sector thanks to its consolidated partnerships in Europe and the USA. In North America, Finmeccanica employs more than 2,100 employees at 32 sites across the country through its subsidiaries: AnsaldoBreda; Ansaldo STS; Ansaldo Energia; Thales Alenia Space; MBDA; Alenia North America; Bell Agusta Aerospace; SELEX Systemi Integrati; SELEX Galileo; SELEX Communications; Global Military Aircraft Systems; Global Aeronautica; Telespazio North America; OTO Melara North America; and Elsag North America. Whether flying the President, transporting troops and cargo, securing the borders, tracing criminals, enhancing the Navy's capabilities, Finmeccanica products ensure safety and security in the United States. See www.finmeccanica.com for more information.
EUROTECH S.p.A.
Eurotech (ETH.MI), established in 1992, is a leading company in the research, development, production and sale of miniaturised computers (NanoPCs) and high performance computing (HPC) computers. Eurotech offers a complete range of products and services of the highest technology to customers operating in the aerospace, transport, security and manufacturing sectors. The Eurotech Group has its head office in Italy and is present in the USA, France, the United Kingdom, Finland, Japan, Germany and China, employing around 620 people with pro-forma revenues for 2007 of approximately €100 million. See www.eurotech.com for more information.
For further information:
FINMECCANICA Press Office:
tel: +39 06 32473 313
e-mail: ufficiostampa@finmeccanica.com
EUROTECH Press Office
tel: +39 0433.485435
e-mail: c.dellazonca@eurotech.com
