Ascom sells Ascom HPF in France to Oristano

The transaction is scheduled for completion by 30 June 2004. Both parties have agreed to maintain silence about the sales price.
In the context of focusing on its core competencies, Ascom goes on divesting its Manufacturing facilities in France and announces today the successful sale of Ascom HPF SA (share sales transaction) to the Oristano Holdings Ltd by 30 June 2004. The transfer of all employees inclusive. The deal is fully supported by the local trade unions and employee representatives in France.

Ascom HPF, manufacturer of telephone terminals and supplier of electronic components for telecommunications, achieved in 2003 revenues in the amount of 45 million Swiss francs.

The Oristano Holdings Ltd is a group owned by French entrepreneurs with the target to develop its activities in telecommunications and digital TV converging voice, data and video technologies. With the take-over of Ascom HPF, Oristano obtains a platform to develop its manufacturing activities and after sales services. This industrial project is ensuring Ascom HPF to enter into new markets. The company will operate under the name of HPF Digital in the future.

“With the successful sale of Ascom HPF to the Oristano Group, Ascom has achieved another divestment milestone and also found a buyer with Oristano which brings a promising new industrial perspective to the HPF company ”, says Ascom CEO Rudolf Hadorn.

Ascom’s remaining Manufacturing presence in France is now reduced to one company (Ascodi Industries SA) with 216 employees.

About Ascom

Ascom is an international solution supplier with a comprehensive technology know-how. In the areas Transport Revenue (revenue collection, toll collection and parking systems), Security Solutions (applications for security, communications, automation and control systems for infrastructure operators, public security institutions and the army), Network Integration (network solutions in the data/voice convergence market) and Wireless Solutions (high quality on-site communications solutions) with manyyears of experience in the execution of complex projects for demanding customers the company has established itself in important key markets. Ascom's offering covers analysis and consulting, system design and system integration, project management, engineering and implementation, and goes right through to maintenance and support. The company has subsidiaries in 23 countries and has a staff of about 5,000 employees worldwide. The Ascom registered shares (ASCN) are quoted on the SWX Swiss Exchange in Zurich.