Aalberts Industries trading update

Aalberts Industries'  activities and  revenue stabilised  around  the
lower level of the last  months of 2008 as  a result of the  economic
situation and  de-stocking at  customers, of  which the  main  effect
seems to be behind us. The taken measures, including the reduction of
the workforce with  1,500 employees  since mid  2008 and  the use  of
short time working  arrangements (outside  the Netherlands),  created
lower cost  levels  and  improved  efficiency.  The  company  remains
focussed on  its  financial  position. Thereby  the  emphasis  is  on
maintaining positive results, a prudent investment policy and  strict
control of working capital to reduce as much as possible the  regular
seasonal build-up during the first half year.
 
The main  markets of  industrial  Services remained  challenging  the
first months of 2009, particularly the automotive, semiconductor  and
electrotechnical sectors. The aerospace, defence and medical  markets
developed relatively well. The demand  for new products and  services
remained the past  period reasonable stable  which partly offset  the
organic decline.  Due  to the  current  circumstances the  market  is
clearly more geared towards solid and stable suppliers, a trend which
Industrial Services benefited from.
 
Flow  Control   was   also   confronted   with   challenging   market
circumstances. The  group strengthened  its market  position  through
selling its complete  portfolio in  an increasing  number of  markets
through the bundled  sales platforms. In  addition, new products  and
systems  were  introduced,   including  sprinkler  applications   and
renewable solutions, that offer large growth potential for the group.
In the Western  European markets,  including the  United Kingdom,  an
organic decline in revenue was generated predominantly driven by  the
de-stocking effect  at customers.  In the  Eastern European  markets,
specifically Russia  and the  Ukraine,  next to  de-stocking,  lesser
activity resulting from a lack of sufficient liquidity was  realised.
Also Southern Europe, where the  position of the group is  relatively
small, remained  difficult. The  market  situation in  North  America
seems to stabilise. The group has increasingly focussed, next to  new
build, on  the renovation  and commercial  construction, two  markets
that performed reasonably well.
 
The group remains alert to possible  changes in the markets and  will
react immediately to changing circumstances. The results of the first
half of 2009  will be  presented on 13  August 2009  before start  of
trading. Given the current economic circumstances and the  associated
uncertainties, it  is not  possible  to provide  an outlook  for  the
remainder of the year. All actions  remain focussed on being able  to
emerge strengthened  from  the  current  market  situation  when  the
economy improves.
 
Dividend 2008
 
Following approval of the 2008 annual accounts by the General Meeting
of Shareholders on 20 April 2009, the dividend for the 2008 financial
year has been set at EUR 0.28 per ordinary share of EUR 0.25  nominal
value. It was also determined that the 2008 dividend of EUR 0.28 will
be payable - at the shareholder's  option - fully in ordinary  shares
against the tax-exempt share premium account or fully in cash  (after
deduction of 15% withholding tax on dividends).
 
Today the number of  dividend rights of ordinary  shares of EUR  0.25
nominal value entitling  shareholders to  one new  ordinary share  in
Aalberts Industries N.V.  of EUR  0.25 nominal value  each, has  been
fixed at  24. Based  on  the volume  weighted  average price  of  all
ordinary Aalberts  Industries N.V.  shares  traded on  NYSE  Euronext
Amsterdam on 6, 7, 8, 11 and 12 May 2009 of EUR 6.7954, 1/24  portion
represents a value  of EUR 0.2831,  which is virtually  equal to  the
value of the cash dividend.
 
Payment of dividend and transfer of shares on account of exchange  of
dividend rights will take place on 15 May 2009, in ordinary shares of
EUR 0.25 nominal value, through bank  or broker where the shares  are
held.
 
This announcement was originally distributed by Hugin. The issuer is 
solely responsible for the content of this announcement.