Feintool International Holding (VTX:FTON) Feintool Introduces Short-time Working In Components Manufacturing; Systems Business At Fineblanking/Forming And Automation Still Enjoying Good Capacity Utilization

Feintool International Holding (VTX:FTON) Corporate news announcement processed and transmitted by Hugin AS. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------



As recently announced at the annual media conference, components manufacturing at Feintool Group has experienced an unusually sharp and rapid downturn in demand from customers in the automotive industry. As of mid-December, short-time working is being introduced in certain countries and factories, depending on their particular situation. At present, capacity in the systems business at Fineblanking/Forming and in the Automation segment is well utilized.

Initially, the manufacturing plants responded to the new demand situation by working down holiday, overtime and flexitime balances and by making less use of temporary labour. With capacity still underutilized, however, some factories will introduce short-time working until further notice as of the following dates: at Muehlemann in Biberist from 15 December; at Feintool Parts & Components in Lyss from 5 January; at Promera in Ettlingen (Germany) and at the US factories in Cincinnati and Nashville from 12 January, and at Promera in Jena (Germany) from 26 January. On average, working hours at these plants are being cut to about 40%. Depending on the order situation, however, working hours vary not only from one site to another but also for individual departments and employees, and can range from 0% to 100%. These measures are designed to ensure that Feintool retains its core staff, as the technology group relies on its highly skilled workforce. As the systems business at Fineblanking/Forming and in the Automation segment is still enjoying good capacity utilization, it is not affected by the aforementioned measures.

For further information, please contact: Joachim Kaufmann, CEO and Jürg E. Wenger, CFO, phone 032 387 51 11

Feintool is a leading technology and systems provider in fineblanking/forming and assembly automation. It is also a global supplier of metal and plastic components. Feintool operates globally at the company's own facilities in Switzerland (head office in Lyss), Germany, France, Italy, Great Britain, the United States, Japan and China, where around 1800 employees are committed to customer satisfaction.

Feintool International Holding Industriering 8, CH-3250 Lyss Phone +41 (0)32 387 51 11 Fax +41 (0)32 387 57 81 feintool-fim@feintool.com www.feintool.com

Corporate Communications

Urs Feitknecht Phone +41 (0)32 387 51 63 Fax +41 (0)32 387 54 16 Mobile +41 (0)79 204 41 13 urs.feitknecht@feintool.com

The media release can be downloaded from the following link:

--- End of Message ---

Feintool International Holding Industriering 8 Lyss Schweiz

WKN: 905428; ISIN: CH0009320091 ; Index: SPI, SPIEX, SSCI; Listed: Main Market in SWX Swiss Exchange;



LINK: http://hugin.info/100443/R/1276684/284361.pdf

Feintool International Holding

http://www.feintool.com

ISIN: CH0009320091

Stock Identifier: XSWX.FTON