Electrolux Launches Floor Care Cleaning Division / Industry Leader Sets Sights on Establishing National Brand

DALLAS (PROTEXT) - Electrolux L.L.C., the premier provider ofhome cleaning systems and the leading direct marketer of vacuumcleaners in North America, today announced it has formed a newfloor care cleaning division. The new division will providecomprehensive floor care services for homeowners and businessesthrough Electrolux's more than 600 North American branches andlicensed independent associates. Electrolux President and Chief Executive Officer Joe Urso saysthe time is right to extend the Electrolux brand and capitalizeon the company's loyal customer-base. The multi-billion dollarfloor cleaning industry has no established leader and is servicedprimarily by small entrepreneurs, many of whom do not stay inbusiness. "For more than 75 years, Electrolux has provided qualityproducts backed by our extraordinary personal service, duringwhich time we have sold over 50 million vacuum cleaners," saidUrso. "It is logical and long overdue that we capture the goodwill and confidence we enjoy in the home cleaning market and takeit to the next level. We also are preparing for several otherstrategic opportunities to extend our good name in other areas ofproducts and services in the near future." The new division will be led by Electrolux Chief OperatingOfficer John Horigan, who joined the company in 1986. Electrolux L.L.C., the American icon of vacuum cleaners andhome care cleaning products, has been bringing clean living tomillions of homes for 75 years. The company is the leading directmarketer of vacuums in the United States and Canada, offering acomplete line of floor care equipment. Engles, Urso, Follmer(EUF) acquired Electrolux from the Sara Lee Corporation and threebanking institutions in 1998. Electrolux will continue to leadthe industry with the highest quality equipment, world-classresearch and design technology, precision engineering andcustomer care program. ots Original Text Service: ElectroluxL.L.C. Internet: http://www.newsaktuell.de Contact: Mike Gundyof Electrolux L.L.C. Tel.: (USA) 214-378-4004 or email:mgundy@elux.com

Subscribers please note that material bearing the slug"PROTEXT" is not part of CTK's news service and is not to bepublished under the "CTK" slug. Protext is a commercial serviceproviding distribution of press releases from clients, who areidentified in the text of Protext reports and who bear fullresponsibility for their contents.

PROTEXT