"Best of European Business Award" to top French companies

• On November 28, Roland Berger Strategy Consultants presented the "Best of European Business Award" to top French companies
• A record number of more than 800 guests attended the Paris BEB awards ceremony held in Le Louvre museum
• The awards ceremony in Paris marked the end of the ninth stage of the competition in a total of ten countries. The European Business Summit will close the competition in Brussels on March 15, 2007

Leading French companies were honored on November 28 at France's "Best of European Business" (BEB) awards ceremony in Paris. The annual competition, hosted by Roland Berger Strategy Consultants, was held for the third time in France and acknowledges the outstanding performances of companies in 10 European countries. To determine the winners of the pan-European competition, experts evaluated over 8,000 companies from Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Switzerland, Spain and the UK. Companies were assessed according to defined criteria in several different categories, and in the end a high-caliber jury will select the winners from each category. The competition, which is taking place over several months in Europe's strongest economies, will draw to a close at the European Business Summit in Brussels on March 15 and 16, 2007. The Summit will be attended by top politicians, EU parliamentarians and business leaders. International news broadcaster CNN is the competition's pan-European media partner.

In France, a total of 6 companies have been honored in the categories of Europeanness, Growth, and Mergers and Acquisitions. In each category, both a mid-sized and a large company have been selected as winners. The Grand Prix was awarded to a seventh company that demonstrated excellence in all categories.

Norbert Dentressangle won the Growth category for large enterprises. Despite fierce international competition in the transportation sector, France's leading transport and logistics group was able to keep growing. In 2005 alone, Norbert Dentressangle increased transport sales by 11.3 percent.

Somfy International, a specialist for shutting devices, was recognized in the Growth category for mid-sized companies. The secret to the company's success: innovative solutions and a global presence that led to outstanding growth between 2002 and 2005.

Beverage group Pernod Ricard won in the Mergers and Acquisitions category for large enterprises. The world's second-largest spirits and wine producer was able to expand its international presence through the strategic acquisition of Allied Domecq, its British competitor.

Dassault Systèmes was awarded first prize in the Mergers and Acquisitions category for mid-sized companies. The company specializes in 3D construction software. By acquiring Abaqus, a manufacturer of analysis software, it will be able to set new standards in analysis tools. At the same time, the acquisition is helping consolidate the market for CAD construction programs, which was previously highly fragmented.

The jury awarded the prize in the Europeanness category for large enterprises to PSA Peugeot Citroën. Europe's second-largest carmaker has a 10 percent market share in more than 10 European countries, with an overall market share of 14 percent.

International Metal Service (IMS) won the prize in the Europeanness category for mid-sized companies. The steel company generates three-quarters of all of its business in Europe. However, IMS also simultaneously expanded its presence in CEE and generated 10% of its sales there in 2005 alone.

The Grand Prix was awarded to Vallourec. The leading manufacturer of seamless pipes impressed the jury in all categories. Vallourec not only demonstrated strong growth (CAGR of 17.5 percent between 2002-2005), but also successfully acquired OMSCO, a Texas competitor. Furthermore, the company generates roughly one-third of its sales in Europe (excluding France).

Winners of other national competitions this year

The awards ceremony in Paris marks the end of the ninth of ten national competitions this year. One national event in Denmark and then the grand finale in Brussels are next on the agenda.

For further information, please refer to: www.best-of-european-business.com