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Thursday, 31 May 2001

INTERZUM'01 - The Balance



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The Interzum event is one of the most important trade fair for products, components and fittings for the
furniture and interior decoration industries. Once again, and as done since 1985, Sonae Indústria has been
present at the INTERZUM'01 edition, that took place in Cologne (Germany) from the 18th to the 22nd May
2001.

The main objectives for the participation of the SONAE Indústria in Interzum 2001 were:
· To consolidate the institutional image of the Group as one of the major players in the wood-based panels
world market;
· To promote the wide range of products available in SONAE Indústria companies as their main competitive
advantage;
· To show the globalisation of the Group.

This participation in Interzum also aimed to stress the forest sustainability and environmental concern of
SONAE Indústria as well as to give information about the high levels of investment in production capacity
increase.

In addition, one of the main guidelines for the project was the participation through a stand with an imminent
commercial focus and business centre to deal with current and potential customers specially from export
markets, not forgetting eventually to meet current customers from our domestic markets.

The international character of this fair to us was confirmed by the number of visitors coming from 66 different countries. The total number of registered visitors was 410. The visitors from the export markets slightly increased from last edition held in 1999, performing from 50% to 52% of the total registered visitors. The most demanded products were MDF (27,3%), MFC (17,9%), PB (10,2%), HPL (8,4%) and OSB (6,5%).

Although it is not yet possible to objectively measure the economic impact of our presence at Interzum, some
commercial deals were made and some other important contacts too. The new business opportunities can
only be confirmed with further contacts with those potential customers.

However, it is unanimous and confirmed that the main and most important purpose at the fair is to promote
business in the export markets, to focus on the assistance of current and potential customers giving, at the same time, the proper attention to customers from the domestic and regular markets.

Finally, the objectives of the project were completely fulfilled. The experience acquired in former editions of
Interzum permitted to perform successfully in the development of the project.

Let's hope that next exhibition the results show the continuous improvement edition-to-edition.

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