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Matthews International Corporation Announces the Completion of the Purchase of a Majority Interest in Saueressig GmbH & Co. KG

Friday 09. May 2008 - Matthews International Corporation (NASDAQ:MATW) today announced the completion of its purchase of a 78% ownership interest in Saueressig GmbH & Co. KG ("Saueressig"). Saueressig, which is a leading European provider of pre-press services and gravure printing forms, is headquartered in Vreden, Germany and has its principal manufacturing operations in Germany, Poland and England. Matthews initially announced on February 25, 2008 the signing of the definitive agreement for the purchase, which was subject to regulatory approval in Germany.

Saueressig will operate as a subsidiary within Matthews’ Graphics Imaging Group. Kilian Saueressig, who holds the remaining 22% ownership interest, will remain as President of Saueressig. Saueressig reported sales of approximately euro 90 million (U.S.$130 million) in calendar 2007 and has approximately 900 employees.