INTERIM REPORT 1 JANUARY – 30 SEPTEMBER 2006

THIRD QUARTER

• Net sales during the third quarter rose 16% to SEK 1,091 million (940). Of the increase, 9 percentage points were attributable to acquisitions and currency effects.

• Operating income before amortisation of intangible fixed assets (EBITA) rose 34% to SEK 122 million (91), and the EBITA margin was 11.2% (9.6%).

• Income after tax rose 25% to SEK 75 million (60).

• Earnings per share for the quarter were SEK 1.87 (1.50).


NINE MONTHS

• Net sales for the period rose 18%, to SEK 3,262 million (2,763). Of the increase,
11 percentage points were attributable to acquisitions and currency effects.

• Operating income before amortisation of intangible fixed assets (EBITA) rose 36%, to SEK 325 million (239), and the EBITA margin was 10.0% (8.7%).

• Income after tax rose 28%, to SEK 208 million (162).

• Earnings per share for the period were SEK 5.20 (4.05).

• The return on operating capital for the latest 12 months was 32.0% (26.4%).

Figures in parentheses pertain to the corresponding period in 2005.Comparing figures for 2003 have not been adjusted for IFRS.