Re German Competition Fine

RNS Number:0038K
Lafarge
14 April 2003


             * German competition authority fines cement companies 
                    for anti-competitive practices in Germany

 * Lafarge challenges the amount of its fine and will bring the case before the 
                       Higher Regional Court in Dusseldorf


Lafarge Zement has been officially informed today of the decision of the German 
competition authority (Bundeskartellamt) to fine the company Euro86 million for its 
participation in anti-competitive practices in Germany.

Lafarge considers the amount of the fine to be disproportionate and will bring 
the case before the Higher Regional Court (Oberlandesgericht) in Dusseldorf.

Lafarge restates that a provision of Euro300 million has been made in fiscal year 
2002 to cover the European Commission decision against its Gypsum activities in 
Europe, which Lafarge has appealed against, as well as the risk related to the 
German competition authority investigation into the cement industry in Germany.

Lafarge is the world leader in building materials, and employs 77,000 people in 
75 countries. The Group holds top-ranking positions in all four of its 
Divisions: Cement, Aggregates & Concrete, Roofing and Gypsum. Lafarge posted 
sales of Euro14.6 billion in 2002. 
More information is available on: www.lafarge.com
 


PRESS CONTACTS:                              INVESTOR RELATIONS:

Veronique Doux: 33-1 44-34-18-18             James Palmer: 33-1 44-34-11-26 
[e-mail]                   [e-mail]

                                             Daniele Daouphars: 33-1 44-34-11-51 
                                             [e-mail]



Statements made in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-
looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private 
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are not guarantees of 
future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions ("Factors") 
which are difficult to predict. Some of the Factors that could cause actual 
results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking 
statements include, but are not limited to: the cyclical nature of the Company's 
business; national and regional economic conditions in the countries in which 
the Group does business: currency fluctuations; seasonality of the Company's 
operations; levels of construction spending in major markets; supply/demand 
structure of the industry; competition from new or existing competitors; 
unfavorable weather conditions during peak construction periods; changes in and 
implementation of environmental and other governmental regulations; our ability 
to successfully identify, complete and efficiently integrate acquisitions; our 
ability to successfully penetrate new markets; and other Factors disclosed in 
the Company's Reference Document filed with the French COB under the reference 
number D.03-0375, and its annual report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities 
and Exchange Commission in the USA. In general, the Company is subject to the 
risks and uncertainties of the construction industry and of doing business 
throughout the world. The forward-looking statements are made as of this date 
and the Company undertakes no obligation to update them, whether as a result of 
new information, future events or otherwise.



                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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