manroland AG discovers irregularities relating to sales commission payments

Man-Rowland press release
09.21.2010

Company has informed public prosecutors/Internal investigation ongoing

As part of an internal audit investigation initiated by the Executive Board of manroland AG, irregularities have been discovered relating to sales commission payments. Involving external auditors and lawyers, investigations were performed in close connection with a tax audit. So far, the investigation findings – of which the Supervisory Board was notified today – have confirmed suspicions that commission payments were made without proof of services actually having been provided in return. Investigators are devoting particular attention in this regard to specific cases involving Swiss subsidiary VOTRA S.A. in the period from 2002 to the beginning of 2007. The Executive Board has initiated a full investigation into the matter by external lawyers, tax advisors and auditors, and has notified public prosecutors of these irregularities and of progress made in the investigation to date.

“We will do all we can to get to the bottom of these and any further abuses that come to light,” said the Chairman of the Executive Board of manroland AG, Gerd Finkbeiner. “We have a responsibility to our business partners, customers and staff to make it clear that we will not tolerate legal violations. This investigation has top priority, not least in light of our company's realignment which was announced last Friday.”

The Supervisory Board is assisting the Executive Board with the investigation and fully supports the Executive Board in the difficult task of guiding the company through the restructuring process.