Planned Reduction in Architectural Float Glass Capacity in Europe (Sweden and Italy)

Sweden(1) Outline     Action:  Closure of a float line    Location: Halmstad, Sweden    Facilities: Architectural float line    Number of employees affected: Approximately 230 persons(2) Rationale and outline of the proposal    The Group is taking action to reduce capacity and output to match the requirements of its customers, consistent with its restructuring program.The proposed action is to right-size the capacity to further reduce fixed cost base. The closure of the float line is expected to be at the end of March 2013.

(3) Estimated costs of this decision

    (a)Total cost:  Approximately EUR 64 m (JPY6.4 bn)

    (i)Cash expenses: Approximately EUR21 m (JPY 2.1 bn)

    (ii)Non-cash charges: Approximately EUR 43 m (JPY 4.3 bn)

(4) Impact on operations

    This action is anticipated within the Group’s previously announced forecast for the current financial year and no change to that forecast is therefore expected as a result of this announcement.

2.Italy

(1) Outline

    Action:  Closure of a float line

    Location: Porto Marghera, Venice, Italy

    Facilities: Architectural float line 

    Number of employees affected: Approximately 140 persons

(2) Rationale and outline of the proposal

    The furnace is currently in a state of 'hot-hold', as announced on 6th July 2012. Having regard to the continued challenging conditions within the European architectural market, the Group proposes to discontinue the 'hot-hold' and close the line.

The closure of the line is expected to be effective from January 2013.

(3) Estimated costs of this decision

    (a)Total cost:  Approximately EUR 16 m (JPY1.6 bn)

    (i)Cash expenses: Approximately EUR16 m (JPY 1.6 bn)

    (ii)Non-cash charges: nil

(4) Impact on operations

    There is no material impact arising from this action on the Group's financial outlook for FY2013.