Helsinki, Finland, Apr 23, 2008 - (ABN Newswire) -                                          STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE                                          April 23, 2008   The Board of Directors of Rapala VMC Corporation (Rapala) has on today decided to start buying back a maximum of  100 000 of Rapala's own shares, equaling to some 0.25% of all shares, in accordance with the authorization granted by the Annual General Meeting on April 3, 2008. The shares will be acquired with company's free equity only, and therefore, the acquisition reduces the distributable funds. The maximum amount to be used for the acquisition is 550 000 euro.   Shares will be acquired in public trading on the OMX Nordic Exchange in Helsinki at the market price quoted at the time of repurchase in accordance with the rules regarding the acquisition of company's owns shares.   Shares will be repurchased to finance or carry out business acquisitions or other investments, to settle the company's equity-based incentive plans, to be transferred for other purposes, or to be cancelled.   The repurchasing of shares starts on May 2, 2008 at the earliest and will end on June 30, 2008 at the latest. Rapala does not have any own shares in its possession at the moment.   Shares will be acquired in accordance with section 5 of the rules of OMX Nordic Exchange in Helsinki and other rules applicable to the acquisition of own shares.   RAPALA VMC CORPORATION   Jorma Kasslin Chief Executive Officer   For further information, please contact: Jouni Grönroos, Chief Financial Officer, +358 9 7562 540 Olli Aho, Company Counsel, +358 9 7562 540   Distribution: OMX Nordic Exchange in Helsinki and Main media   Rapala VMC Corporation is a leading fishing tackle company and the global market leader in the fishing lures, treble hooks and fishing related knives and tools. The Group also has a strong global position in other fishing categories. The Group has its own distribution companies in all the main markets and the largest distribution network in the industry. The main manufacturing facilities are located in Finland, France, Estonia, Russia and China. The Group brand portfolio includes the leading brand in the industry, Rapala, and other global brands like VMC, Storm, Blue Fox, Luhr Jensen, Williamson and Marttiini. The Group, with net sales of EUR 242 million in 2007, employs more than 4 000 people in 30 countries.

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Rapala VMC Oyj

http://www.rapala.com/

ISIN: FI0009007355

Stock Identifier: XHEL.RAP1V

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