RSDB and Thieme GrafiMedia Groep sign letter of intent regarding takeover of PlantijnCasparie sites

In October 2004, RSDB announced that it would change the scale and organisation of its activities. The core activities will be organised in two business lines: 'Print Productions' and 'Marketing Communications'. In this rearranged business model, the sheetfed offset printing services of PlantijnCasparie will no longer be regarded as a core activity. Further measures were announced for the divestment of these services.

In connection with these developments, PlantijnCasparie Holding and Thieme GrafiMedia Groep on 20 June 2005 signed a letter of intent regarding the transfer of the printing sites of PlantijnCasparie Almere, Amsterdam, Capelle a/d IJssel, The Hague, Groningen, Nieuwegein, IJsselstein and Zwolle as well as PlantijnCasparie Data in Deventer, PlantijnCasparie Digital Print in Amsterdam and GPB in Leiderdorp. These 11 sites have 425 employees in FTEs, with an annual turnover of € 65 million. PlantijnCasparie will keep operating as a group with its own identity and management. After the takeover, Thieme GrafiMedia Groep will be the market leader in busines-to-business sheetfed offset printing services.

In view of the existing link-ups of PlantijnCasparie Utrecht with the Roto Smeets Utrecht site, which is based at the same location, and PlantijnCasparie Eindhoven with Roto Smeets Weert and De Wit Grafische Projecten, these sites have been excluded from the transfer. Both PlantijnCasparie companies will be added to the business line Print Productions under the name of Roto Smeets Services.

Present negotiations regarding the divestment of Ten Klei in Purmerend will continue.

The Works Council, employees, trade unions and the SER Social and Economic Council will today be informed of these intentions.

Hilversum, June 20, 2005

RSDB NV
Executive Board

For further information:
Hans de Jong, tel. +31 356 258 600