Continued growth for Wienerberger in first quarter of 2008

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- Revenues + 13% to ¤ 574.0 million
- EBITDA + 10% to ¤ 92.3 million
- Sustained high demand in Central-East Europe, USA and UK as
challenge for 2008
- Further expansion of geographic portfolio and continuation of
growth course

Vienna, May 6, 2008 - Wienerberger AG recorded further growth during
the first three months of 2008 with an increase in earnings over the
record first quarter of 2007. Group revenues rose by 13% to ¤ 574.0
million and EBITDA by 10% to ¤ 92.3 million. In this connection, it
should be noted that the early Easter holidays reduced the number of
working days during the first quarter of 2008 and the weather in
Europe at the start of this year was not as favorable as in 2007.
Wienerberger continued to profit from the dynamic momentum in
Central-East Europe, while the markets in the USA and Great Britain
were weaker than expected. New residential construction in Germany
showed only reserved growth after a record low in 2007. "The first
three months of 2008 clearly show that the expansion of our
geographic portfolio in recent years formed the right foundation for
our successful development - and we intend to continue this expansion
with further growth projects to strengthen our market positions and
optimize our capacity", commented Wolfgang Reithofer, Chief Executive
Officer of Wienerberger AG, on the results presented today.

Strong growth in Eastern Europe, positive development in North-West
Europe
The double-digit growth in revenues and earnings during the first
quarter of 2008 was driven by the continued strong pace of business
activity in Central-East Europe. This growth was based on solid
demand in Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria and Russia as well as
full capacity operations at the Wienerberger plants and sound price
levels. The positive development of revenues and earnings in
North-West Europe was driven by higher sales volumes in France, the
Netherlands and Great Britain, whereby the improvement in Great
Britain was realized through the consolidation of Baggeridge and the
clay roof tile producer Sandtoft against the backdrop of a weakening
market. Central-West Europe recorded an increase in revenues, but
operating earnings decreased year-on-year due to higher costs of idle
capacity in Germany and increasing pressure on prices in Italy. North
America reported a decline - in spite of a positive contribution from
the initial consolidation of Arriscraft - due to the disappointing
development of US residential construction.

Improvement in EBIT
EBIT rose by 9% to ¤ 42.6 million for the first quarter of 2008.
Profit after tax declined 9% to ¤ 30.2 million, whereby financial
results for the previous year include non-recurring income of ¤ 10
million. After the deduction of the hybrid coupon and minority
interests, profit after tax equaled ¤ 21.8 million (Q1 2007: ¤ 28.3
mill.). Since the hybrid bond is classified as equity under IFRS, the
coupon is not included under financial results on the income
statement but is shown as part of the use of earnings on the changes
in equity statement and paid from profit after tax (like a dividend).
Adjusted earnings per share decreased from ¤ 0.39 in the previous
year to ¤ 0.26 for the first quarter of 2008 (after the deduction of
the hybrid bond coupon and minority interests).
Asset and Financial Position

Investments lead to rise in net debt
"Capital expenditure and acquisitions led to an increase in net debt
from ¤ 566.8 million at the beginning of this year to ¤ 721.3 million
by the end of March. We invested a total of ¤ 123 million during the
first three months of 2008 and directed a significant part of these
funds to new plant construction and the extension of capacity in
Central-East Europe, especially in Poland, Romania, Russia and
Serbia. Wienerberger also acquired a majority stake in Sandtoft, the
last major independent clay roof tile producer in the UK. Group
equity declined from ¤ 2,672.7 million at the start of the year to ¤
2,649.0 million, primarily due to the payment of the hybrid coupon",
explained Chief Financial Officer Willy Van Riet.

Central-East Europe again serves as growth driver
Following record results in the first quarter of the previous year,
Central-East Europe was the top-performing segment in the
Wienerberger Group with an increase of 31% in revenues to ¤ 204.4
million and 54% in EBITDA to ¤ 60.7 million for the first three
months of 2008. "Nearly all countries in the region recorded higher
revenues and earnings - this confirms our strategy and also
underscores the key role of Central-East Europe as a growth driver
for the Wienerberger Group. We will therefore continue to strengthen
this segment in the future." indicated Johann Windisch, member of the
Managing Board with responsibility for Central-East Europe and North
America, on the strong development of business in this segment.

Results in Central-West Europe affected by higher costs in Germany
Growth in Central-West Europe was reserved during the first quarter
of 2008: revenues rose 5% to ¤ 91.3 million, while EBITDA was
negative at ¤ 1.2 million. "New residential construction in Germany
was reserved, but sound growth in project-driven commercial
construction led to an increase in sales volumes. However, earnings
were negatively affected by the costs of idle capacity that resulted
from the temporary shutdown of individual plants as part of our
active capacity management", observed Heimo Scheuch, member of the
Managing Board with responsibility for North-West Europe and Germany.
Italy also registered a decline in earnings, which resulted from
weakness in new residential construction and increasing pressure on
prices.

Positive business development in North-West Europe
Revenues in North-West Europe increased 18% to ¤ 234.9 million and
EBITDA rose by 5% to ¤ 39.1 million. "Higher sales volumes were
recorded in the Netherlands and France. In contrast, new residential
construction in Great Britain was weaker than expected but more than
offset by the consolidation of Sandtoft and Baggeridge", summarized
Heimo Scheuch.

Ongoing market weakness in USA
Revenues in North America fell 28% to ¤ 52.7 million and EBITDA
dropped 90% to ¤ 0.7 million. "The downturn on the US housing market
was more severe than expected, with a 30% year-on-year drop for the
first three months of 2008. High costs of idle capacity and the weak
US dollar also had a negative effect on earnings in this segment,
despite the favorable development of Arriscraft and a positive
contribution from the initial consolidation," explained Johann
Windisch.

Further growth in Eastern Europe, challenge in Anglo-Saxon region
For 2008 Wienerberger expects steady and strong demand throughout
Central-East Europe. In North-West Europe, consolidation effects
should support an improvement in revenues and earnings. However,
Wienerberger has revised its forecasts for Great Britain because of
more restrictive financing conditions for private households and
declining property prices. The weakness in US residential
construction is also expected to have a negative effect on revenues
and earnings in the North America segment. In Germany, moderate
growth may be possible after the record low in single and two-family
housing construction during the previous year and a slow start in
2008.

Goal remains intact for above-average growth vs. industry
"We see the Anglo-American region and Germany as our major challenges
for this year. Our top priority will be to counter these weak markets
with active capacity management. However, our proven geographic
portfolio and strong development in Central-East Europe form a sound
basis for the continued growth of Wienerberger and the realization of
our objectives. In spite of this weaker market environment, we have
again set a goal to generate an above-average increase in EBITDA
compared with the building materials industry in 2008", added
Reithofer in conclusion.

Key Financial Data of Wienerberger AG

1-3/2007 1-3/2008 Chg. Year-end
in % 2007
Revenues in ¤ 507.3 574.0 +13 2,477.3
mill.
EBITDA in ¤ 83.9 92.3 +10 551.2
mill.
EBIT in ¤ 39.1 42.6 +9 353.1
mill.
Profit after tax1) in ¤ 33.3 30.2 -9 295.8
mill.
Adjusted earnings per in ¤ 0.39 0.26 -33 3.46
share2)
Free cash flow3) in ¤ -53.4 -33.7 +37 293.8
mill.
Maintenance capex in ¤ 25.3 24.3 -4 120.2
mill.
Growth investments in ¤ 42.3 122.5 >100 525.4
mill.
Ø Employees 15,645 +6 14,785

Segments 1-3/2008 in ¤ mill. and %

Central-East Central-West North-West North Investments
Europe Europe Europe America and Other
Revenues 204.4 (+31%) 91.3 (+5%) 234.9 (+18%) 52.7 (-28%) -9.3 (-1%)
EBITDA 60.7 (+54%) -1.2 (>100%) 39.1 (+5%) 0.7 (-90%) -7.0 (+9%)
Total 37.6 (+98%) 12.2 (+97%) 79.3 (>100%) 10.8 (-47%) 6.9 (>100%)
investments
Ø Employees 5,756 (+11%) 2,396 (0%) 4,932 (+25%) 2,357 (-6%) 204 (+22%)

1) Before minority interest and accrued hybrid bond coupon
2) Before amortization of goodwill and adjusted for non-recurring
income and expenses; after hybrid bond coupon
3) Cash flow from operating activities minus cash flow from investing
activities plus growth investments
Note: in the table of segment data, changes in % to the comparable
prior year period are shown in brackets.

For additional information contact:
Karin Hofmann, Public Relations
T +43(1)60192-463 | communication@wienerberger.com
Barbara Braunöck, Investor Relations
T +43(1)60192-463 | investor@wienerberger.com

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Wienerberger AG
Wienerbergstraße 11 Vienna Austria

ISIN:
AT0000831706; Index: WBI, ATX , ATX Prime;
Listed: Prime Market in Wiener Boerse AG;