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INTERVIEW WITH THE PRESIDENT AND CEO PETER NILSSON<br />

“<strong>We</strong> are continuing to invest<br />

to improve our structure”<br />

Trelleborg has become a focused<br />

polymer Group, <strong>and</strong> is now a world<br />

leader in engineered polymer<br />

solutions.<br />

2015 turned out to be an eventful year<br />

for Trelleborg, <strong>and</strong> despite the challenging<br />

market conditions in several segments,<br />

the Group once again succeeded in<br />

achieving record results. During the<br />

year, Trelleborg signed an agreement to<br />

acquire the Czech-based CGS Holding,<br />

which has leading positions in agricultural<br />

<strong>and</strong> specialty tires, as well as<br />

engineered polymer solutions.<br />

Peter Nilsson, President <strong>and</strong> CEO<br />

of Trelleborg.<br />

Could you cite examples of activities or<br />

events in 2015 of key significance for<br />

earnings for the year <strong>and</strong> the Group’s<br />

future?<br />

Trelleborg saw a very healthy trend in<br />

2015 in terms of operating profit <strong>and</strong><br />

margin. <strong>We</strong> view this as a show of<br />

strength against a backdrop of sluggish<br />

macroeconomic growth, <strong>and</strong> also the<br />

result of stringent cost control <strong>and</strong><br />

robust market positions.<br />

<strong>We</strong> focused on<br />

small, everyday<br />

operational improvements.”<br />

<strong>We</strong> focused on small, everyday operational<br />

improvements through our<br />

Excellence programs in manufacturing,<br />

purchasing, capital management <strong>and</strong><br />

sales. Our processes have become<br />

increasingly efficient, in parallel with the<br />

continuing enhancement of capital <strong>and</strong><br />

organizational structures.<br />

Also, during 2015 we continued<br />

efforts to create growth via organic initiatives<br />

<strong>and</strong> bolt-on acquisitions. Acquired<br />

operations providing a positive boost<br />

to earnings development in 2015. <strong>We</strong><br />

also continued to have a distinct focus<br />

on making it easier for customers to do<br />

business with us. Simpler processes,<br />

combined with our multi-dimensional<br />

innovation, provide the basis for<br />

increased value creation <strong>and</strong> for<br />

our position as a premium partner.<br />

Toward year-end, we signed an<br />

agreement to acquire CGS for a total<br />

cash consideration of some sek 10.9<br />

billion, making it one of Trelleborg’s<br />

largest acquisitions for decades.<br />

The transaction – which is subject to<br />

approvals from relevant authorities <strong>and</strong><br />

is expected to be completed in the first<br />

half of 2016 – will strengthen Trelleborg<br />

as a world leader in engineered polymer<br />

solutions.<br />

You exceeded your operating margin<br />

target three years ago. Is it time to<br />

raise this target?<br />

This is one of our three financial targets.<br />

It is true that for some time now we<br />

have reached our operating margin<br />

target, which is at least 12 percent or<br />

more. However, we do not disclose in<br />

advance whether we intend to adjust our<br />

financial targets, but instead we will<br />

provide information about this if <strong>and</strong><br />

when it is relevant.<br />

Can you comment on the situation at<br />

TrelleborgVibracoustic?<br />

Since its inception in summer 2012, the<br />

TrelleborgVibracoustic joint venture has<br />

developed very favorably. The company<br />

has focused on operational activities,<br />

meaning boosting profitability <strong>and</strong> implementing<br />

restructuring measures.<br />

During 2015, efforts commenced to<br />

prepare the company for a potential<br />

public listing. This means that the<br />

company introduced <strong>and</strong> created<br />

routines <strong>and</strong> processes for accounting,<br />

control, communications <strong>and</strong> so forth, all<br />

the features required of a listed<br />

company. But no definite decision has<br />

been made to actually list Trelleborg-<br />

Vibracoustic. <strong>We</strong>’ll revisit this issue if<br />

<strong>and</strong> when it arises.<br />

How well did Trelleborg h<strong>and</strong>le the<br />

situation during 2015, with low dem<strong>and</strong><br />

for oil <strong>and</strong> for agricultural products?<br />

Market conditions both in agriculture<br />

Significant<br />

events<br />

2015<br />

February 4, 2015 Nomination Committee<br />

proposes the election of Anne Mette Olesen<br />

as new Board member<br />

February 6, 2015 Acquisition of<br />

industrial tire distributor in France<br />

February 13, 2015 Fourth-quarter<br />

<strong>and</strong> year-end report 2014<br />

Q2<br />

April 2, 2015 Acquisition of remaining stake in<br />

Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) operation in Bulgaria<br />

April 23, 2015 Interim report<br />

January-March 2015<br />

April 23, 2015 Press release from<br />

2015 Annual General Meeting<br />

January 22, 2015 Frank Müller announced<br />

as new CEO of TrelleborgVibracoustic<br />

April 10, 2015 Acquisition of agricultural<br />

tire business in Australia finalized<br />

2 Annual Report 2015 Trelleborg AB<br />

GRI: G4-1, G4-13

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