Atlas Copco Craelius acquires JKS Boyles International

4 nov 1998

Stockholm, November 4, 1998-- Atlas Copco Canada, Inc., has concluded an agreement to purchase the Canadian company JKS Boyles International, Inc., a leading manufacturer of surface and underground drills. JKS Boyles will become part of the Atlas Copco Craelius division. The acquisition is in line with the division’s strategy to expand its business servicing mineral exploration.

JKS Boyles International, Inc., based in North Bay, Ontario, is a leading manufacturer of surface and underground drills and has a complete line of in-the-hole accessories for the mineral exploration industry. The company also produces diamond cutting and coring products. JKS Boyles will continue to operate under its well-established brand name. The company has 79 employees and annual sales of about CAD 22 million.  This strategic alliance will strengthen the Atlas Copco Craelius division’s presence in North America and the world marketplace. It will also enable the division to offer products incorporating leading technologies and a broad range of surface and underground exploration drills as well as in-the-hole drilling systems.  Atlas Copco Craelius, is a leading company in core drilling and ground engineering. Additional information on Atlas Copco Craelius is available at our web site: www.atlascopco.com/craelius/  Atlas Copco is an international group of industrial companies with its head office in Stockholm, Sweden, and 97 percent of revenues outside Sweden. Atlas Copco companies develop, manufacture, and market electric and pneumatic tools, compressors, construction and mining equipment, assembly systems, and motion control products. Additional information about Atlas Copco is available at our web site: www.atlascopco.com For further information, please contact:  Björn Rosengren, President, Atlas Copco Craelius division +46 8 5877-8501  Robert Parsons, Managing Director, JKS Boyles International +1 705 472-3320  Annika Berglund, Vice President Information, Atlas Copco AB +46 8 743-8070