PRESS RELEASE Berli Jucker announces 16 percent increase in first quarter net profits Berli Jucker Public Co. Ltd. announced its results for the first quarter today: Net profit for the first three months of the year grew by 16% to Baht 153.8 million due to substantially improved performances from the consumer products and engineering businesses and a steady performance from the technical products group which more than compensated for a slower first quarter for glass products. Consolidated total revenues increased by 6.5% to Baht 2.6 billion and earnings per share grew by 15.6% to Baht 2.66. Berli Jucker's President, Dr. Adul Amatavivadhana, said: These results illustrate the strength inherent in the Group's four core businesses and the benefits of our tightly controlled expansion into manufacturing within each of those areas. Sales of consumer products increased by 22% to Baht 663 million. The confectionery and foods division benefited from the continuing success of recent product launches in our tissue paper and snack foods categories and rapidly expanding demand for wine. The personal care and cosmetics division performed well, helped by newly acquired agencies and recent product launches including skin care lotions and mentholated talcum powder. The technical products group achieved a 6% sales growth to Baht 767 million led by the stationery & tableware division and the photographic & electronic imaging lines. Our glass products business had a difficult first quarter which saw a 10% contraction in sales to Baht 884 million and a reduction in net profit. This downturn stemmed from a combination of technical configuration issues, which reduced output of a major furnace but have now been resolved, as well as weaker demand for soft drinks and whisky bottles. Profit is expected to improve over the rest of the year. The engineering group increased sales by 63% to Baht 185 million due to substantial growth in sales of automation & control systems, materials handling systems and industrial weighing scales by the Company's own Engineering division, together with a significantly improved result from Thai-Scandic Steel. The favourable performance at Thai-Scandic Steel reflects a substantial increase in orders together with productivity increases and quality improvements achieved by new management and the company's excellent design team." Looking ahead, Dr. Adul went on to say: "The outlook for the balance of the year is obviously dampened by the slowing economy and it is apparent that some of our major customers are achieving lower sales than they and we had anticipated. At this stage, however, I remain optimistic that we should achieve satisfactory earnings growth for the full year." May 15th, 1997 For further information please contact: Dr. Adul Amatavivadhana, President Tel: 367-1012 David Nicol, Executive Vice President & C.F.O. Tel: 367-1024 Email: davidnicol@berlijucker.co.