Unique growth share enrichens index

TAKKT greets inclusion in SDAX

On the recommendation of the Deutsche Börse AG's working group on indices, shares of the Stuttgart-based TAKKT AG will be listed in the SDAX with effect from 19 June 2000. With a market capitalisation of Euro 720 million and just under 73 million shares, the share of the European and North American market leader in the field of business equipment solutions is destined to become one of the "heavyweights" in the SDAX. TAKKT's finance director Dr. Felix A. Zimmermann greets the forthcoming inclusion and believes that this will mean a further boost for the share: "With our presence in the SDAX, we will be able to achieve greater public awareness. The appeal of our share - for institutional and private investors - will be even better. At the same time, this will be a unique addition to the SDAX, TAKKT being a business-to-business mail order supplier with global operations and a clearly defined Internet strategy."

The company's optimistic forecasts are supported by the outstanding results achieved during the first quarter of 2000. TAKKT made a highly successful start to the new business year, with turnover increasing by 15.2 percent from Euro 164.5 million in 1999 to Euro 189.6 million. The EBITDA rose by 12.9 percent to Euro 12.2 million in the first quarter of 2000. Further proof of the company's overall strength is the fact that all three divisions of TAKKT AG recorded significant increases in turnover. At KAISER + KRAFT EUROPA, turnover rose by 8.1 percent to Euro 94.7 million; Topdeq improved its turnover by 22.8 percent to Euro 23.2 million and K + K America by 23.5 percent to Euro 71.7 million compared with the corresponding period in 1999. TAKKT anticipates continued dynamic growth for the remaining nine months of the year. Dr. Zimmermann is sure that "geographical expansion and the systematic development of our e-commerce activities will convince possible investors of the substance and growth potential of TAKKT."

TAKKT already has plans for roadshows in London, Paris, Amsterdam and New York this autumn. Dr. Zimmermann insists that "we will continue to expand our already intensive investor relations activities - this is an expression of our open, transparent corporate strategy."

The first annual general meeting of TAKKT AG will be held on 26 May 2000 in Ludwigsburg near Stuttgart

Stuttgart, 11 May 2000

Contacts:

Georg Gayer
Phone +49 (0)7 11.50 01-239

Dr. Felix A. Zimmermann
Phone +49 (0)7 11.50 01-861