Henkel Technologies Announces Partnership with West McLaren Mercedes

DUSSELDORF, Germany, Dec. 29, 2003 -- Henkel Technologies and West McLaren Mercedes are looking forward to taking "pole position" together in the 2004 Formula One season. From now on, the Formula One race cars of Kimi Raikkonen and David Coulthard will prominently display the new logo of Henkel Technologies, a worldwide business sector of the international Henkel Group. Through its partnership with West McLaren Mercedes, Henkel Technologies is working to increase awareness of the company's performance as one of the leading global suppliers of adhesives, sealants and surface technologies.

"With our innovative technologies, we are in demand as an official supplier and a partner from numerous industrial sectors. Formula One and West McLaren Mercedes is an ideal platform, providing a quantum leap forward in conveying this message to external audiences," says Dr. Jochen Krautter, Executive Vice President, Henkel Technologies.

High-Performance Adhesives for Automotive Manufacturing

Henkel's know-how in the field of engineering adhesives is of great value to West McLaren Mercedes in the Formula One World Championship battle - one of the toughest known testing grounds for automotive design. Advanced high- performance adhesives are increasingly replacing traditional assembly and joining technologies such as welding, soldering, riveting or the use of nuts and bolts. More and more automobile components, as well as components of high- speed trains and airplanes, are being bonded together. In this way, Henkel Technologies provides effective support for the trend towards an energy-saving lightweight mode of construction.

Henkel engineers will continue to cooperate closely with their counterparts from McLaren Racing in order to boost the team's chances of success through engineering measures designed to overcome the extreme challenges posed by Formula One races on vehicle components and materials. High-performance adhesives from the aerospace division are used in the manufacture of the monocoque, while other products from the general industry and automotive divisions are used on the engine and in the assembly of the West McLaren Mercedes race cars - a total of 92 different applications.

Continuation of a Successful Partnership

Both organizations are continuing a successful and mutually beneficial partnership, which began in 1995 under the Loctite brand name. After Henkel recently restructured its technologies operations, which encompass a broad range of specialist brands, the company is also revamping its external communications efforts. "We want to present a unified image to all our customers worldwide and be recognized by one umbrella brand name. Henkel Technologies stands for strong brands with the highest level of competence and innovative strength when it comes to high-tech adhesives and applications for surface technologies," Krautter adds.

To date, the highlights of the strategic cooperation between Henkel (formerly under the Loctite brand name) and West McLaren Mercedes have been 33 race wins, a double victory in the Drivers' and Constructors' World Championships in 1998, and a Drivers' World Championship in 1999. At the end of the 2003 Formula One World Championship, Kimi Raikkonen in his West McLaren Mercedes was an extremely close second behind World Champion Michael Schumacher. For the upcoming season in 2004, Jochen Krautter has one main wish: "I hope that the fans of the German driver Michael Schumacher will forgive me, but it is our goal that Henkel Technologies with West McLaren Mercedes become World Champions together this time around!"

"Henkel - A Brand like a Friend"

With brands and advanced technologies, Henkel makes people's lives easier, better, and more beautiful. The business sector Henkel Technologies is one of the leading suppliers of adhesives, sealants and surface treatments for industrial customers. Strong brands, such as Loctite, Teroson, P3, Hysol and Liofol, are key drivers behind the success of the business sector. Henkel Technologies serves the automotive, electronics, aerospace, metal industries, assembly, maintenance and repair, consumer goods and packaging industries worldwide.

The Henkel Group operates in three strategic business areas - Home Care, Personal Care, and Adhesives, Sealants and Surface Treatment. In fiscal 2002 the Henkel Group generated sales of 9.66 billion euros and an operating profit (EBIT) of 666 million euros. 50,000 employees work for the Henkel Group worldwide. People in 126 countries around the world trust in brands and technologies from Henkel.

About McLaren

McLaren Racing, the company behind the West McLaren Mercedes team, was formed in September 1980 as a result of a merger between Team McLaren and Project Four, a British company owned by Ron Dennis, now Chairman and CEO of the McLaren Group. McLaren has won eleven Formula One Drivers' Championships and eight Formula One Constructors' Championships including the 1998 and 1999 Drivers' World Championship. McLaren has competed in Formula One since 1966 and has proven to be one of the most successful Formula One teams of all time with 137 Grands Prix wins. To date, McLaren has raced in 560 Grands Prix. Visit www.mclaren.com

Photo material is available for download: www.press.henkel.com