EVOX RIFA GROUP OYJ STOCK EXCHANGE BULLETIN, August 20, 2001, at 20.15 p.m.

EVOX RIFA LAYS OFF EMPLOYEES IN FINLAND

Evox Rifa has agreed on the laying off of employees in its Suomussalmi factory in Northern Finland in accordance with the statutory co-operation procedure. The layoffs will affect max. 100 people in all personnel groups. The length of layoffs cannot be estimated for the time being. Suomussalmi factory will continue with temporary layoffs as well. The reason behind the downscaling of production is that the demand for the company’s products has weakened.

There are about 210 employees at the Evox Rifa factory in Suomussalmi. Evox Rifa Group employs a total of about 1400 people, out of whom 220 in Finland. Other factories are located in Sweden and Indonesia.

EVOX RIFA GROUP OYJ

Harri Launonen

President

Additional information from
Evox Rifa Group Oyj,

Harri Launonen,
President,
tel. +358 (0)9 5406 5001

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