Electrolux CEO Says Asbestos Cases Rise Possible
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Published February 14, 2003

AB Electrolux (NASDAQ: ELUX), the world leader in home appliances, said
it was possible that the number of asbestos lawsuits against it in the
United States could increase in 2003.  "Of course I can't exclude the
possibility that it increases further," Chief Executive Hans Straberg
admitted in an interview.

Earlier Electrolux, the maker of appliances from refrigerators and
vacuum cleaners to lawn mowers and chainsaws, announced in its 2002
results that the number of asbestos lawsuits against it had increased
to 218, representing some 14,000 plaintiffs, compared with 95, and
3,500 plaintiffs, in 2001.

Mr. Straberg said he believed there would be no upward provision for
asbestos damage claims from a current $9,000,000 booked by the company,
even though he said the group was probably not covered by insurance
against such claims.  "It is probable that we are not covered by
insurance. Very seldom is there insurance for cases like this," he
said.

Electrolux had already settled some individual claims, he said.  "We
have had an increase in cases at the end of the year (but) we have also
resolved cases in the US.  We have settled some and some have been
dismissed," Mr. Straberg said.

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