The most successful Italian companies active in Europe

• Roland Berger Strategy Consultants presents the "Best of European Business Award" to top Italian companies on November 8, 2006
• The awards ceremony in Italy marks the end of the fifth stage of the competition in a total of ten countries
• The competition in Germany ends on November 20, 2006 with an awards ceremony in Berlin
• The European Closing Gala takes place in Brussels on March 15, 2007

The outstanding performances of Italian companies were honored at Italy's second "Best of European Business" (BEB) contest today in Rome. First launched by Roland Berger Strategy Consultants in 2005, the competition 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 15-16, 2007. The Summit will be attended by top politicians, EU parliamentarians and business leaders. News broadcaster CNN is the competition's international media partner.

In Italy, a total of seven companies have been honored in the categories of Growth, Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) and Europeanness. In each category, both a mid-size and large company have been selected as winners.

UNICREDIT won the International Mergers and Acquisitions category (large enterprises) for having embarked on the path of international growth through its merger with HypoVereinsbank. The jury considered that the outstanding abilities of the Italian banking group's management and their proven experience in the field of acquisitions enabled this merger to succeed with a competitor which, though similar in size, is different as a business model and an organization. Gruppo CAMPARI was recognized in the International Mergers and Acquisitions category (medium-sized companies). The reasoning behind the jury's decision was that in a field which has seen progressive consolidation of the major players for years, Davide Campari had focused on international growth through the acquisition of 3 of the most important "scotch whisky" brands in the world. Thanks to extraordinary financial management, the firm subsequently attained leadership in marketing and distribution, consolidating its position in Europe and America.

DIESEL won the Growth category (large enterprises) because it had proven to be a real trendsetter in recent years, enjoying rapid and sustained growth. The company was able to target a selective clientele with its innovative concept of luxurious casual wear, demonstrating flexibility and rapidity in interpreting the market's needs. The brand has gradually reinforced its identity up to expressing a life philosophy which has become a true "Diesel" style. In the Growth category (medium-sized companies), GEOX was chosen as the winner by the jury, who found that Geox was a role model for concept originality and for the simple and efficient type of business that has allowed the company to achieve record sales with continuity. It is an example of the crucial role that can be played by investment in research and development and by intellectual capital in an extremely important sector for the Italian economy.

INDESIT Company was awarded first prize in the Europeanness category (large enterprises). The jury found that it had attained international leadership and a consistent presence throughout Europe. Its strategy represents a virtuous example for the growth of Italy's industry in the global market. ALI Group triumphed in the Europeanness category (medium-sized companies). The jury judged that the company had matured its international presence with the aim of progressively consolidating its positioning on the European market as a platform for global expansion. Thanks to the acquisition of 48 companies with as many different brands, all highly specialized in their own sectors, an outstanding level of growth has been achieved. The group's policy ensures firm cohesion of the individual brands' identities with the group's values.

LOTTOMATICA was awarded the Grand Prix. The jury chose this company as the overall winner because the extraordinary acquisition of a very large company in the US, thereby diversifying Lottomatica's business, represents an example of strategic leadership and medium-to-long term vision. The firm has set out on the path of international development, taking a brave step from which the European business community will be able to learn.

Winners of other national competitions this year

The awards ceremony in Rome marks the end of the fifth of the ten national competitions this year. The winners in Portugal, the Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland have already been chosen.

The first BEB event was held in August in Switzerland. In the Mergers and Acquisitions category, Holcim Group was awarded a prize. The group was also crowned overall winner of the Swiss competition, receiving the Swiss Grand Prix 2006. Among the larger companies, Geberit Group, which specializes in sanitary technology, received the Growth award. The SME Growth prize went to vehicle manufacturer Stadler Rail. In the special European Presence category, which replaced the Innovation category in Switzerland, the jury selected Sika AG as winner, a company that produces specialty chemicals for construction and industrial applications.

Another first timer this year was the Netherlands. A total of six companies were honored in Amsterdam in the categories of Growth, Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) and Innovation. In each category, both a mid-size and large company were selected as winners. In the Growth category, steel giant Mittal and TomTom, the market leader for navigation technologies, have each won a "Best of European Business Award". DSM, a producer of industrial chemicals, and the entertainment company Stage Entertainment have been awarded prizes in the Innovation category. In the Mergers and Acquisitions category, awards went to biggest Dutch bank ABN AMRO and the 400-year-old functional textile specialist Ten Cate.

"Best of European Business" took place in Portugal for the second time. In the Cross-border Mergers and Acquisitions category, energy group Grupo EDP received an award. Another energy provider, Galp Energia, took home the prize for Growth. In the same category, SME Logoplaste, a packaging specialist, won an award. Portugal's leading construction company Mota Engil was honored for its European Strategy, while paper producer Renova won the strategy prize for SMEs.

Spain also saw its second BEB competition in 2006. In the Growth category, Gamesa Corp. Technológica was awarded a prize for its sustainable energy offer. Ornamental stone specialist COSENTINO took home the Growth prize for SMEs. In the European Strategy category, construction company Gruppo Ferrovial nudged out the competition among large companies, while automotive supplier Ficosa won the SME award in the same category. Telecommunications giant Telefónica won in the Cross-border M&A category. For SMEs, fertilizer manufacturer Fertiberia took first prize. Spain's Grand Prix 2006 winner was industrial group Grupo Villar.

Further national events are set to take place in Denmark, France, Germany, Poland and the UK. The German awards ceremony will be held in Berlin on November 20, 2006.

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