Givaudan SA: Annual General Meeting 2005

The Annual General Meeting of Givaudan SA, the world leader in fragrances and flavours, took place in Geneva on 27 April 2005. It was attended by 186 shareholders, representing 3,316,559 (42.52%) of a total of 7,800,000 registered shares.

The shareholders’ meeting approved the annual report and the annual accounts for 2004 and released the board of directors. In 2004, Givaudan increased substantially its net profit to CHF 350 millions, an improvement of 20% compared to 2003.

A total dividend of CHF 16.30 per registered share was voted by the shareholders. The total dividend includes an ordinary dividend of CHF 9.80 and a special dividend of CHF 6.50. It will be paid on 2 May 2005.

Dr Henri B. Meier stepped down as board member and chairman and handed over his responsibility as chairman to Dr Juerg Witmer. Peter Kappeler was elected for the remaining two years of Dr Henri B. Meier’s term of office. Furthermore, the Annual General Meeting re-elected Dr Andres F. Leuenberger and Prof. Henner Schierenbeck for another term to the Board of Directors of Givaudan.

The shareholders’ meeting approved the proposal of the Board of Directors to cancel the 400,000 repurchased registered shares and to reduce the share capital by 5.1% from CHF 78,000,000 to CHF 74,000,000. The ongoing programme to buy back 800’000 shares will continue until end of June 2005. Once the second share buy back is completed, Givaudan -- as previously announced on 1 March 2005 -- will start a third buy back programme.

PricewaterhouseCoopers SA was re-elected as statutory and group auditors for 2005.

For further information please contact
Peter Wullschleger, Givaudan Media Relations
Chemin de la Parfumerie 5
CH-1214 Vernier