PREINFORMATION CONCERNING EXEL GROUP?S F

EXEL OYJ          STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE     13.7.2004 at 10.30

PREINFORMATION CONCERNING EXEL GROUP’S FINANCIAL RESULTS DURING THE
FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 2004

Exel Group’s net sales and financial earnings before interests and
taxes stronger than earlier estimated

According to preliminary, unaudited information, Exel’s net sales grew
strongly also during the second quarter. The net sales will increase
for the first six months approximately to EUR 43.7 million (EUR 26.0
million), an increase of 68%. The strongest growth took place on the
market for specialty carbon and fibre glass profiles, where several
product development projects for example for the transportation,
energy and engineering industries have been commercialized, and on the
Nordic Walking market in Central Europe, where Exel is the clear
market leader.

The preliminary earnings before interests and taxes during the first
six months of the year amount to some EUR 6.8 million (EUR 2.0
million), an increase of 243%. The EBIT has increased stronger than
expected due to a strong increase in sales, a good utilization rate of
capacity and more effective production and purchasing operations. The
EBIT of the first six months of the year, EUR 6.8 million, already
clearly exceeds that of the total year 2003, EUR 5.3 million.

Exel will publish its interim report for the second quarter of 2004 on
Thursday, 22 July 2004.

Mäntyharju, 13 July 2004

Exel Oyj


Ari Jokelainen
President & CEO

Further information:
Mr Ari Jokelainen, President & CEO, Exel Oyj, tel. +359 50 590 6750



Exel Oyj is a Finnish company specialised in composite technology. The
Group’s operations consist of sporting goods and industrial
applications. Exel’s best-known products include cross-country and
alpine poles, Nordic Walking poles, surfboard masts, floorball clubs
and industrial profiles in general. The Group’s six factories are
located in Finland, Germany, Belgium and Spain. Over 80% of production
is exported. In 2003 the Group’s net sales totalled EUR 57.3 million.
Exel personnel numbers 450. Exel’s share is listed on Helsinki
Exchanges main list.