HERACLES Group of Companies announced today sales of 609.1 million euros for 2005, increased by 3.6% as compared to 2004. Correspondingly, Company sales for 2005 amounted to 544.2 million euros, increased by 4.6% in relation to 2004.In light of the expectations for significant declining of the market, resulting from the finalization of the main infrastructure public works, which have been developed for the Olympic Games, the increased consumption in the sector of private works had a counterbalance effect. Prices generally increased in the context of inflation whilst production cost was significantly affected by the large increase of fuel costs, a fact which had a negative impact on operating efficiency. Group profits before taxes amounted to 134.1 million euros and correspondingly for the Company to 123.4 million euros for 2005. An extraordinary income of 44.1 million euros is included in the above profits and represents the amount collected according to court decisions 2415/27.2.2004 and 2417/27.2.2004. The financial statements of 2005 have been drawn up according to the International Financial Reporting Standards. The main impact on results concerns the method of calculation of depreciation (financial life of assets as opposed to tax coefficients) as well as the presentation of taxes in interim accounts. HERACLES Group, a member of the Lafarge Group, owns three cement production plants in Greece: The Volos plant, the largest cement production plant in Europe, the Halkis plant and the Milaki plant. Total productive capacity of the Group amounts to 9.6 million tonnes, a fact which makes it the largest cement producer in Greece. The Group also is active in the aggregates sector and in the production and trading of concrete.

The Lafarge Group is the leader in Building Materials and employs 80,000 people in 75 countries. The Group holds leading positions in the 4 Sectors of its Activities: Cement, Aggregates & Ready-mix concrete, Roofing materials and Gypsum. In 2005, Lafarge announced sales of 16 billion euros.

For further information please contact:
HERACLES Group
George Vlachos

General Manager of Communications & Public Affairs Tel.No. 210-2898561
Email: vlachosg@aget.gr