At a managers meeting tonight, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Andres F. Leuenberger, and the new CEO, Rolf Dörig, informed executive employees about recent staff changes. Andres F. Leuenberger confirmed that the company's Board of Directors is to be rejuvenated and reinforced at the 2003 general meeting of shareholders and that he personally intends to step down from the office of Chairman of the Board of Directors at that time.

The names of the candidates for the Board of Directors will be presented to shareholders in good time for the annual general meeting on 27 May 2003.