APAX Partners

Paris, 6 May 2010 – Financière Hélios has come to an agreement with its banks.

Following the safeguard procedure (Procédure de Sauvegarde) requested by Financière Hélios in March 2009, which was contested by its banks, and in view of recent decisions delivered by the Paris Court of Appeal, Financière Hélios agrees on the banks’ request for rescinding of the judgement.

The Paris Court of Appeal will have the case heard on 27 May 2010 and will render its decision afterwards. Should judgement be rescinded, Financière Hélios and its banks have agreed they would come back to the original credit agreement which has been revised: it notably includes a decrease of Financière Hélios’ net debt by €35 million. Net debt decrease will be funded by funds managed by Apax Partners SA and Altamir Amboise.

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Financière Hélios, a company controlled by funds managed by Apax Partners SA and Altamir Amboise, is the main shareholder of Séchilienne-Sidec.

Please also visit: www.financiere-helios.com.