Lindab : takes firm action against internal fraud in Hungary

Lindab is conducting a full internal review in order to confirm the factual background of internal fraudulent activities in its Hungarian business unit, Lindab Kft.

Acting on information about wrongdoings, embezzlements and violations of company policies that emerged at the beginning of the year, Lindab has engaged an expert Hungarian law firm and financial advisors to work with the review together with a dedicated internal Lindab team. The team's review of the business activities as well as the business conduct of certain identified key employees, is going back relatively far in time.

The review team is following up on all serious allegations of business misconduct, embezzlement of company funds and property as well as other illicit or illegal activities.

On 9 April the Managing Director and Country Manager of Lindab Kft, Hungary, was dismissed with immediate effect from Lindab Kft due to the findings of the review. On 8 May the CFO of Lindab Ktf was dismissed with immediate effect due to further findings during the review.

It has recently come to the attention of Lindab that the dismissed former Managing Director and Country Manager is engaged in a newly founded competing company, Swedsteel Kft, together with other former employees of Lindab Kft. This is in violation of his commitments to Lindab and a serious breach of loyalty commitments including non-competition, non-solicitation and confidentiality obligations. In order to protect its interests, Lindab has now started initiating legal proceedings.

The current internal investigations are ongoing. As the facts become confirmed Lindab will continue to act firmly and take available legal action to protect its interests and to ensure compliance of the company code of ethics.

Lindab has incurred costs in the past due to the fraudulent activities that have been exposed, however, the estimated impact on Lindab's profit going forward is limited, apart from legal costs.