RNS Number:3690T
Amer Group PLC
17 December 2003


                                                                17 December 2003

                                 Amer Group Plc
                                        
      AMER GROUP RECEIVED A PROPOSAL FOR WITHDRAWING FROM TOBACCO BUSINESS
                                        
Philip Morris is offering to buy back the exclusive right Amer Tobacco Ltd holds
to produce and sell Philip Morris cigarettes in Finland. According to the
proposal, the license held by Amer Tobacco would terminate during the spring of
2004. In addition, the licensor would take over Amer Tobacco's own trademarks,
sales and marketing functions, products in the store as well as machinery and
equipment. The proposed deal excludes Amer Tobacco's factory building.

Accepting the offer from Philip Morris means that the Amer Tobacco production in
Finland would end. Sales and marketing functions that are suggested to be
transferred employ approximately 60 persons.

In line with the announcement dated 18 November 2003, Amer Group Plc is
reviewing the possibility of withdrawing from its non-core tobacco business and
has initiated employer/employee negotiations concerning the whole personnel of
Amer Tobacco Ltd (320 employees) in Finland 26 November 2003.

The employer/employee negotiations as well as negotiations with Philip Morris
continue.

AMER GROUP PLC
Communications

Paivi Antola
Communications Manager
Tel. +358 9 7257 8306, e-mail: firstname.lastname@amersports.com
www.amersports.com

Further information:

Mr Pekka Paalanne, Senior Vice President & CFO, tel. +358 9 7257 8212
Mr Max Alfthan, Vice President, Communications, tel. +358 9 7257 8216





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