Knauf wins Global Gypsum “company of the year”

Shanghai, Jun 4 2007 —— The seventh Global Gypsum Conference, the world largest and most international gypsum event, recently has successfully taken place at the Westin Hotel in Shanghai. Knauf, the world leading plasterboard manufacturer, was pleased to win the Global Gypsum ”company of the year” award which was open to all plaster and wallboard companies worldwide to praise its outstanding contribution to gypsum industry.

The conference was organized by Global Gypsum Magazine, and was supported by the China Building Materials Industries Association and the nascent Chinese Gypsum Association. As the most important gypsum conference of the world and firstly held in China which owns the world biggest potential market of gypsum, the conference attracted around 230 ‘international’ delegates from 40 different countries as well as 120 registered Chinese delegates. Moreover, approximately 200 Chinese gypsum industry participants additionally visited the event’s exhibition to absorb the world advanced technologies and innovative applications. Next year Global Gypsum Conference will be held in Dubai and consistently provide a valuable forum for technology and information exchange.

Present to accept the award to Knauf was John Davis, National Brand Manager-China and Serge Azais, General Manager, Knauf Belgium Operations. The award was strictly judged by many factors covering management strategy, employee relations, customer and supplier relations, environmental performance, safety record, manufacturing excellence, productivity, use of technology and market results, etc. The committee commented: “ Knauf taken a very different path to its gypsum industry peers, and has concentrated its development activities in Eastern Europe, Russia, Middle Asia and in a number of other higher-risk areas, while at the same time competing effectively in mature markets with its peers.”

By giving a gracious acceptance speech to over 400 top experts, manufacturers and suppliers of the plasterboard industry, Serge Azais stated: “Knauf is proud to be a major contributor to the advancement of the plasterboard market both globally and locally here in China where we have been operating for over 10 years. To meet our continuous commitment to China, Knauf Plasterboard is currently making further investment in the Shanghai area to meet the growing demand for reliable quality building solutions in the China building materials market.”

In 2008 when the world's finest athletes gather in Beijing, Tianjin and Qingdao for Olympic Games, they will be competing in some of the most prestigious venues especially 9 of the most famous constructions, to which Knauf has supplied over 60% of the plasterboard systems. By doing this, Knauf has been supporting China to be one of the best venues in the world for Olympic Games.

Currently Knauf aims at high-end market in China, trying to meet the demands of customers with more professional product solutions and tailored service. “Knauf dedicates to develop new products which will be an impetus to this booming building market. The ‘company of the year’ award indicates our abilities and even encourages us more to better service our customers worldwide and in China.” John Davis added.

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Knauf

www.knauf.com.cn

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Notes for editors

About Knauf

Knauf is a family name, a multinational producer of building materials and construction systems. A strong characteristic of Knauf is the courage for visions, innovation and investments as well as simple decision-making processes and a wealth of ideas on the part of its personnel.

Originally a producer of conventional gypsum, Knauf has developed into a group of companies in the industrial sectors of dry wall installations, insulation technology and plastering.

For more details please visit：www.knauf.com.cn

Contacts:

John Davis

Knauf Plasterboard (Tianjin) Co.; Ltd.

Tel: +86 22 2697 2777 -8605

jdavis@mail.knauf.com.cn

Gloria Wu

EMG China

Tel: +86 21 5887 8007 – 112

gwu@emgchina.com