Les Miroirs

92096 La Défense Cedex

www.saint-gobain.com

SAINT-GOBAIN

SAINT-GOBAIN
Over the course of its development and diversification,

Saint-Gobain has consistently been at the forefront of

successive industrial revolutions. The Group’s present

configuration is the fruit of a sweeping transformation

of its business operations and structures which began

in the 1990s.

Today, Saint-Gobain operates as a manufacturer and

provider of high-technology materials and associated

services.

SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS SECTOR

HIGH-PERFORMANCE

MATERIALS SECTOR

HOUSING 

PRODUCTS SECTOR

SUSTAINABLE 

DEVELOPMENT

SAINT GOBAIN IN 2002 Sales € 30,274 millions

Net income €1,040 millions 

Number of employees 172,357
Solid operating results

Despite the contraction in markets tied to capital expenditure,

sales climbed 1.2% on a comparable basis. The increase was

fueled by firm prices in the Housing Products Sector and sustained

growth in sales volumes recorded by the Glass Sector.

Operating margin of the industrial divisions stood at a steady

10.6%, buoyed by cost-containment measures rolled out by the

Group’s manufacturing companies in response to the economic

slowdown. A significant contributor was the ongoing restructuring

drive carried out in the High-Performance Materials Sector.

Meanwhile, the Building Materials Distribution Division increased

its profit margin from 4.5% to 4.9%, further to the 2001 transfer

of the Pipe Distribution business. 

Saint-Gobain’s resilience proves the robustness of our business

model, which is structured around a balanced mix between historic

businesses generating strong recurring revenue and the fast-growth

businesses of Distribution and High-Performance Materials.

Increased financial strength

Free cash flow totaled €1.24 billion, reflecting the combination of

the Group’s solid (4.7% of sales) operating margin and tight control exercised over capital expenditure. This, allied with the significant reduction in working capital requirements – trimmed to 59

days from 68 days – led to net debt being scaled back to €7 billion at December 31, 2002 from €7.8 billion a year earlier.

buyout of minority interests in the Lapeyre Group at the begin

of the year.

Following an increase in new asbestos-related claims filed in 

US in 2001, the Group decided to a record a €100 million 

tax charge in 2002. The number of new claims filed was not 

nificantly higher in 2002 and in 2003, several amendment

federal and state laws may have a positive impact on asbes

related litigation.

Net income excluding capital gains came in at €1,051 mil

boosted by a solid performance in manufacturing operations an

reduction in interest expense. This figure was in line with our ta

despite the charge recorded for asbestos-related litigation.

Saint-Gobain’s strong and consistent results were achieved du

the ongoing drive and commitment shown by each and every te

member, combined with the trust we have earned from our 

tomers. The year 2003 has started off on an uncertain footing, 

we are well positioned to further demonstrate our resilience, d

ing on the strengths of our diverse markets and global reach.

Jean-Louis BE

Chairman and Chief Executive O
Ceramics & Plastics and Abrasives 12%

Insulation and Reinforcements 11

Containers 13

(in € millions) 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998

Net sales 30,274 30,390 28,815 22,952 17,821

Operating income 2,582 2,681 2,693 2,314 1,776

Net income before minority interests 1,074 1,174 1,642 1,389 1,182

Net income 1,040 1,134 1,517 1,226 1,097

Earnings per share (in €)* 3.05 3.33 4.45 3.51 3.04

Net income excluding profit on sales of non-current assets 1,051 1,057 1.026 883 790

Earnings per share excluding profit on sales 

of non-current assets (in €)* 3.08 3.10 3.01 2.53 2.19

Net dividend (in €)* 1.13 1.125 1.075 0.90 0.80

Highest share price (in €)* 49.05 45.00 48.93 47.48 45.62

Lowest share price (in €)* 18.57 32.05 29.13 25.78 24.93

(*) After the June 27, 2002 four-for-one stock split.
Firm results in 2002, in line with targets 49

Outlook for 2003 51

Glass 52

High-Performance Materials 57

Housing Products 60

IV - STOCK EXCHANGE INFORMATION 65

V - SHAREHOLDERS, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS 69

VI - RISK FACTORS 83

VII - CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 88

VIII - PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 130

IX - INFORMATION ON SUBSIDIARIES 153

X - PERSONS TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE “DOCUMENT DE RÉFÉRENCE” 

AND STATUTORY AUDITORS 169
* Source: Saint-Gobain

heralded a new approach to marketing and services. At the same

time, Saint-Gobain began focusing on moving its semi-finished

goods businesses “downstream”, i.e. closer to end-customers,

while also enhancing the added value of its products and services.

Objectives pursued under this strategy have focused on unlocking

the Group’s potential to sustain high-margin, high-volume growth

while expanding operating margins and free cash flow, and

ensuring greater regularity in earnings. The results of this

transformation can be seen in the respective leadership positions

of the Group’s businesses in its Glass, High-Performance Materials

and Housing Products sectors. In each sector, the Group has

combined historic businesses with strong recurring revenue

streams alongside high-growth businesses with significant

development potential. Historic businesses, which include Flat

Glass, Containers, Insulation, Pipe and Building Materials, go to

market with key strengths. These include worldwide or European

leadership, unrivaled technological expertise, ability to generate

substantial free cash flow and extensive development potential

in rapidly developing countries, the bulk of which are emerging

economies.

Businesses with high intrinsic growth, which include Building

Materials Distribution, Ceramics and Composites, Abrasives and

Reinforcements, share common strengths such as low levels of

based Raab Karcher have driven a 30% increase in sales. In H

Performance Plastics and glass reinforcement fabrics, the sa

figures are 50% and 20% respectively.

At the same time, Saint-Gobain has pressed ahead with internatio

expansion. To build upon its already diversified presence in Eur

and Latin America, the Group has concentrated on making inro

into North American, Central European and Asian mark

Substantial ground has been made in the latter region. 

This geographical development has involved all divisions 

businesses: Flat Glass in Asia and Central Europe, Insulatio

Central Europe, Reinforcements in Asia and Central Euro

Containers in North and South America, Ceramics and Abrasives 

continents), Pipe (Europe, China, South Africa), Building Mate

(South America). Building Materials Distribution, which was init

restricted to France, is now a leading European player* and 

gained a strong foothold in South America. 

Between 1995 and 2001, the Group’s historic businesses doub

their sales in emerging countries.

Having retooled the Group’s structure and reach, Saint-Gobain 

comfortably confront the economic challenges that lie ahead.
Building Materials Distribution. In the historic businesses the Group

is focusing its major investment programs in emerging economies

while at the same time modernizing its existing manufacturing

base in Western Europe and the United States. These businesses

are also aiming to achieve full production capacity as well as

sustained productivity and technological improvements. The pursuit

of these objectives will also require tight control of capital

expenditure and increased free cash flow which is characteristically

high in these businesses. This policy has been borne out by the facts

as between 1995 and 2002 the historic businesses achieved

average sales growth of 10% per year in emerging countries, which

accounted for 9% of total consolidated sales in 2002. 18% of the

Group’s capital expenditure was given over to the implementation

of this policy. 

Despite the market downturn suffered in Ceramics and Composites

in 2001 and 2002, the sector’s strategic model is still effective as

prices tend to resist well in these highly specialized businesses, even

in the most challenging of economic conditions. The Group’s

positioning in these specialty markets is therefore key to growth and

to the extent possible, it is anticipating customers’ needs by investing

in cutting edge research and development. There are still

opportunities to seize for consolidation in these extremely

fragmented markets provided the locations of the Group’s various

key focuses: marketing and service innovations, increasing

geographic reach and seizing market consolidation opportunities

through bolt-on acquisitions. Innovation efforts have led to new store

concepts, such as La Plateforme, new supplier partnerships and

an own brands policy. The geographic growth strategy also includes

opportunities for bolt-on acquisitions, which are not limited to France.

There are possibilities available for Jewson in the United Kingdom,

Raab Karcher in Germany as well as in emerging countries where

demand for new formats is strong. The La Plateforme concept is

also contributing to the Group’s drive for international expansion and

has already been rolled out to seven countries. A launch is currently

under way in Mexico, which may be followed by Brazil where

Telhanorte is already well positioned. Within this sector, it therefore

falls to Building Materials Distribution to provide sustained high

organic growth, building on a system which is less capitally intensive

than the Group’s other activities. This strong development capacity

was illustrated by a further 12.7% increase in operating income

for 2002.

This strategy has brought with it a proper balance of risks and

opportunities for all of the Group’s activities over recent years. Since

1994, the manufacturing companies have maintained operating

margin levels of over 10% while GDP in the OECD nations fluctuated

significantly during the period, with a substantial fall in 2001 and 2002.
(*) Before or (**) after the four-for-one stock split carried out on June 27, 2002. (1) Capital expenditure on plant and equipment plus investments in securities, excluding

Saint-Gobain shares bought back.

(In € millions) 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 199

Net sales 30.274 30.390 28.815 22.952 17.821 16.324 13.931 10.719 11.357 10.90

Gross margin 7.604 7.698 8.146 6.851 4.573 4.118 3.374 2.664 2.697 2.32

Operating income 2.582 2.681 2.693 2.314 1.776 1.593 1.434 1.187 1.112 75

Income before tax and before profit 

on sales of non-current assets 1.848 1.988 1.947 1.821 1.393 1.220 1.124 1.070 808 26

Net income before minority interests 1.074 1.174 1.642 1.389 1.182 970 767 716 724 19

Net income 1.040 1.134 1.517 1.226 1.097 858 659 642 553 20

Earnings per share (€) 12.20*

3.05** 13.30 17.80 14.05 12.15 9.62 7.61 7.69 6.81 2.7

Net income excluding profit 

on sales of non-current assets 1.051 1.057 1.026 883 790 656 636 613 413 10

Net earnings per share excluding profit on sale 12.32*

of non-current assets (in €) 3.08** 12.40 12.04 10.12 8.75 7.35 7.34 7.34 5.09 1.4

Cash flow from operations 2.673 2.733 2.643 2.360 1.912 1.693 1.628 1.404 1.237 97

Capital expenditure 1.431 1.430 1.722 1.712 1.288 1.353 1.169 852 576 64

Total investment outlay (1) 2.061 2.246 4.694 3.479 3.019 2.447 3.034 1.448 997 1.04

Net equity 11.542 12.348 11.724 11.151 9.924 9.959 9.082 7.017 6.422 5.41

Net debt 7.012 7.792 8.217 6.306 3.885 2.668 2.249 600 383 2.29

Non-current assets 18.840 19.678 19.530 16.909 14.033 13.139 12.103 8.463 7.661 8.24

Working capital 3.951 3.075 3.222 2.612 1.838 2.262 1.757 2.499 2.990 2.10

Employees (as of Dec. 31) 172.357 173.329 171.125 164.698 117.287 107.968 111.701 89.852 80.909 92.34
growth opportunities in emerging countries. 

The High-Performance Materials Sector comprises two divisions:

High-Performance Ceramics & Plastics, and Abrasives. The Sector

is the world leader in Abrasives and in thermal and mechanical

worldwide strategy to be rolled out across all businesses. Its

development towards downstream activities, the most recent

chapter in its refocusing, has brought the dual benefit of reduced

exposure to cyclical downturns and closer knowledge of buying

trends among end-user consumers.

REVIEW BY SECTOR AND BY DIVISION

Pro forma accounts have been prepared for 2001 and 2000, following the transfer, as from January 1, 2002, 

of the Pipe Division’s distribution operations to the Building Materials Distribution Division. 

Net sales 2002 2001 2001 2000 2000

(In € millions) pro forma pro forma

Flat Glass 4,423 4,478 4,478 4,167 4,167

Insulation and Reinforcements 3,329 3,274 3,274 3,254 3,254

Containers 4,076 4,070 4,070 3,906 3,906

(Internal sales) (10) (9) (9) (10) (10)

Glass 11,818 11,813 11,813 11,317 11,317

Ceramics & Plastics and Abrasives 3,637 4,018 4,018 4,095 4,095

Essilor - - - 978 978

(Internal sales) - - - - - 

High-Performance Materials 3,637 4,018 4,018 5,073 5,073

Building Materials 3,074 3,184 3,184 3,067 3,067

Building Materials Distribution 10,953 10,521 10,061 8,383 7,929

Pipe 1,344 1,397 1,782 1,392 1,778

(Internal sales) (269) (278) (203) (246) (178)

Housing Products 15,102 14,824 14,824 12,596 12,596

(Internal sales) (283) (265) (265) (171) (171)

TOTAL 30,274 30,390 30,390 28,815 28,815
manufacturer that provides a comprehensive glass offering.

The Sector serves broad end-user markets, such as construction

and renovation, the automotive and transport industries,

industrial machinery and household appliance manufacturers,

as well as packaging.

Growth opportunities for the Sector’s various businesses 

in leveraging the Group’s specific technology and in activ

developing new products. 
> Glass threads (TD,TPA,Tx, etc.)

> Processing (glass, carbon,

polyester and Kevlar® glass

grids and reinforcing fabrics)

> Automotive, mass transit, construction,

industrial and consumer machines,

electrical and electronics industries

> Building industry, industrial materials,

technical composites

> Knauf (United States, Europe)

> Armstrong (United States)

> Owens Corning (United States)

> P.P.G (United States)

> Johns-Manville (United States)

> Nippon Electric Glass (Japan)

> Nitto-Boseki (Japan)

> Reinforcements: world leader

> Leader in external insulation grids 

for buildings

> Bottles and jars

> Flasks

> Plastic pumps

> Food packaging (food products, 

wine, beer, soft drinks, oils, sauces)

> Fragrances, pharmaceutical 

and medical products.

> Cleaning products, health and beauty

care products

> Fragrances and pharmaceuticals

> Owens Illinois (United States)

> Vitro (Mexico)

> Consumers (United States/Canada)

> P.L.M (Sweden)

> B.S.N Glass Pack (France-Germany)

> Pochet (France)

> Bormioli (Italy)

> Gerresheim (Germany)

> Wheaton (United States)

> OI, Indesco, Aptar (United States)

> Aptar (United States), 

Rexam (United Kingdom)

> Joint world leader

> European leader (all businesses

combined)

> World leader

> World leader

> Foremost player

Businesses and products Key uses Key competitors Competitive ranking*

CONTAINERS

* Source: Saint-Gobain
construction projects and urban amenities through to glazing

products for industrial carpentry, furniture, bathroom fixtures and

interior decoration. All of these applications have led to major

innovations, such as low-emission, electrochrome or electricallycontrolled glass, as well as shatterproof glass.

The Division is also a manufacturer of automobile parts. It delivers

front and back windshields, side windows, glass sun-roofs and other

ready-to-assemble modules to major European and global car

manufacturers. Whether laminated, colored, treated or specially

coated for high-performance applications, the different types of

- Specialty Glass.

International expansion is a constant priority for the Flat G

Division. Adding to its long-standing presence in all of the m

glazing markets in Western Europe, the Division has made inro

into Brazil, Argentina and Chile as well as in Eastern Europe, Me

and Korea. More recently, it has made significant investment

China and India. In addition, sales offices have been establishe

a number of countries, including Japan and the United State

order to develop sales of flat glass products in these markets. 

INSULATION AND REINFORCEMENTS

The operations of the Insulation Division, born of the developm

of glass technology but specialized in insulation materials s

1936, include glass wool (TEL process), rock wool, and distribu

of soundproof ceilings and insulation foams, which are develo

in partnership with major chemical companies.

Insulation products are marketed as rolls, panels or mol

insulation. They are mainly designed for the new construction 

renovation markets, for fitting on roofs, walls and flooring, to red

heating costs or noise with a view to providing maximum com

Thermal and acoustic insulation standards in the building indu

have been introduced in a large number of countries, providin

Edificio las Flores in Mexico City: over 13,000 sq.m. of screen printed glass. solid basis of growth for the Insulation Division. 
producer or via its licensees, and specializes in providing

sophisticated and increasingly high-performing systems, drawing on

its recognized expertise in acoustic comfort. Thanks to its

manufacturing clout and numerous licenses, the Division is a

worldwide leader* in mineral fiber insulation products which are sold

under a global brand name, Isover. 

The development of soundproof ceilings has proven fruitful,

manufactured under the Ecophon, Eurocoustic and APS brands.

The Division is structured on a regional basis, aimed at fostering

manufacturing and marketing synergies between countries, enabling

it to respond promptly to market needs. The aim is to achieve a

steady growth rate across all segments.

In industrial countries where it enjoys a long-standing leadership

position, the Division constantly seeks to develop new systems with

high added value. Isover has gained a strong foothold in emerging

economies, successfully tapping the growth opportunities generated

by the climate itself and a growing demand for comfort. The new

facility in Russia is a prime example of this. 

The overall strategy adopted by the Division is underpinned by a

twofold goal: bolster its leading position in thermal, acoustic and

downstream processors with glass fiber to be used in the

manufacture of composite materials. The key markets served

are the automotive and mass transit industries for vehicle

bodywork, interior or motor parts, as well as the building

industry, leisure equipment (sports goods, boats etc.), the

electrical and electronic industries, and the civil and military

aeronautics industries.

* Source: Saint-Gobain

BTI®, a multiaxial fabric used to facilitate the delivery and rapid assembly of

composite bridges.
* Source: Saint-Gobain

Against a harsh economic backdrop, the Division has set the

following primary goals: 

• Continue to broaden the geographic reach, niche markets and

semi-composite activities of downstream operations. 

• Develop production platforms that group all of the Division’s

businesses at one site in countries with low labor costs.

• Expand distribution networks;

• Continue to enhance capabilities in people management,

innovation and cost control. 

CONTAINERS

The Containers Division is a front-ranking international player in all

three of its business lines. These comprise:

- Glass bottles and jars for food products and beverages;

- Glass flasks for perfume and pharmaceutical products;

- High-performance plastic pump dispensers for beauty, personal

care and cleaning products. 

To meet the diverse needs of both global and locally based clients,

the Division operates glass bottle and jar manufacturing units in

Europe (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Portugal), the United

States, South America (Brazil, Argentina), and China.

oils, baby food, instant food and drinks, yogurts, deserts, 

The Division’s expertise in creating new product designs, combi

with its flexible manufacturing processes and locally based pl

have enabled it to capture the top spot in Europe and the num

two position in the United States.*

The Flasks business serves worldwide perfume and pharmaceu

makers from locations in Europe and the Americas. As the wo

largest manufacturer of flasks*, its design flair, wide array of g

finishes, and the excellence of its process controls and qu

assurance methods, which are used as benchmarks for al

operations, are widely recognized within the industry.

The third Containers business line, pump dispensers, manufact

a core catalogue of products for worldwide markets and 

production facilities in Europe, the United States, Latin Ame

and China. As in its other core businesses, the Division enjo

strong reputation for the quality and performance of its prod

as well as for its process controls and quality assurance standa

In each of the Division’s packaging businesses, the strategic fo

is on ever-enhancing product and service quality to respond sw

to client needs and expectations. 
Sector’s businesses enjoy strong growth potential,

particularly High-Performance Plastics. Niche markets and

specialized product ranges with high added value have also

steadily expanded.

All are faced with strong and broad-ranging competitive

pressures in their respective segments. However, they are

able to overcome these – even when sometimes confronted

with severe downward economic cycles – thanks to a

balanced international presence, spread between North

America, Europe, Latin America and Asia. As operations are

somewhat less capital-intensive than those of the other

Sectors, they offer potentially high returns on capital

employed. 
> Grinding wheels

> Thin grinding wheels

> Coated abrasives

> Superabrasives

> Roughing, precision grinding, sharpening

of tools and materials for the aeronautics,

automotive, metals processing, mechanical

bearings and iron and steel industries.

> Cutting and trimming, metals

processing, maintenance, energy, iron

and steel, construction and home

improvement.

> Surface treatments, sanding:

aeronautics, automotive, furniture,

portable machines, steel, jewelry,

watchmaking, biomedical industries. 

> Precision work for the aeronautics,

automotive, cutting tools, mechanical

bearings, electronics and composite

materials industries. 

Glass products.

Construction materials and stone

cutting tools.

> Milacron (United States)

> Carbo plc (United Kingdom)

> Noritake (Japan)

> Tyrolit (Austria)

> SAIT (Italy, United States)

> Tyrolit (Austria)

> Comet (Slovenia)

> 3M (United States)

> Hermes (Germany)

> Klingspor (Germany)

> SIA (Switzerland)

> Asahi (Japan)

> Diamant Boart (Belgium)

> Noritake (Japan)

> Wendt Boart (Belgium)

> World leader for all business lines

* Source: Saint-Gobain
its competitive edge, primarily by setting up operations in countries

with low production costs.

Ceramic Products covers the manufacturing of materials and parts

which draw upon the thermal and mechanical properties of both

traditional and advanced ceramics (resistance to very high

temperatures, to abrasion and to corrosion). In 2002, the business

line experienced flat demand for refractories and fused-cast ceramics,

mainly due to a decrease in orders for repairs of glassmaking ovens

following two buoyant years. At the same time, the semiconductor

market showed no sign of recovery during the year. 

chemicals and semiconductors; Precision Bearings and Rings, which

manufactures self-lubricating bearings and rings for cars, home

appliances, machine tools and airplanes along with composite parts

for the aeronautics industry; and Specialty Elastomers, which

supplies flexible foams for sealing and vibration-proof foams for cars,

manufacturing and the building industry.

Crystals and Detectors are produced for the medical, nuclear, safety,

oil and petrochemical markets. The business line’s structure was

retooled in 2002 to enable it to meet demand generated by these

markets’ strong growth potential.

Following ten years of acquisitions, the Division is now focused on

organic growth. Restructuring and integration processes were rolled

out in 2002, with a view to further enhancing the Division’s

competitive advantage. The focus for the future will be on

strengthening its presence in countries with low production costs,

as well as undertaking research and development programs that are

tailored to its businesses.

Overall, the Division’s strategy is rooted in growing internally with a

view to becoming number one or number two in 80% of its

businesses. It also intends to broaden its reach in Asia, primarily

through partnering major customers. Lastly, there will be a drive to

leverage operating synergies and enhance asset turnover.
Division is the world’s largest manufacturer of grinding wheels and

operates in a relatively fragmented market.

performance in demanding, high-precision grinding jobs and t

long-lasting reliability make them indispensable for a wide arra

sectors, such as auto manufacturing and aeronautics, as we

construction.

The Division operates manufacturing facilities in some th

countries and has built up an extensive presence in Asia and So

America alongside its established operations throughout Europe 

the United States. It serves clients that are present in nearly e

country. To meet demand in its various markets and satisfy a br

spectrum of customer requirements, it markets custom solut

directly to industrial clients and supplies large-run product

distributors who serve the trade and mass market. The Divis

has also made significant investments in e-business tools in o

to deliver optimal levels of customer service.

Thin grinding wheels made by the second abrasives plant in Shangai. * Source: Saint-Gobain
distribution operations in France and other countries across

the globe. As from January 1, 2002, Building Materials

Distribution has integrated the pipe materials distribution

activities formerly consolidated by the Pipe Division. One of

the Group’s historic businesses, the Pipe Division operates as

a specialist producer/provider of equipment for the watersupply industry. The Housing Products Sector’s markets range

from household equipment to construction and renovation and

to civil engineering.

thanks to its moderate capital expenditure requirements 

the weight of the Renovation segment. There are exten

opportunities for both organic and external growth and all t

divisions also show considerable potential for developm

in emerging economies.
* Source: Saint-Gobain

The Buildings Material Distribution Division is the leading distributor

of building materials in Europe, and the top distributor of ceramic

tiles worldwide.* 

Formed in 1996 following the acquisition of Poliet, the Division

was subsequently enlarged in 2000 on the back of major

acquisitions in the United Kingdom and Germany. It serves the home

building, renovation and interior decoration markets through more

than 2,600 outlets in 14 countries, the bulk of which are in Europe. 

Customers include building contractors, tradesmen, architects and

interior decorators, as well as home owners. Products are distributed

by well-established trading names such as Point.P, Lapeyre and La

Plateforme du Bâtiment in France, Jewson and Graham in the United

Kingdom, Raab Karcher in Germany, Holland, Hungary and 

Czech Republic, Point.P in Spain, and Telhanorte in Brazil. E

banner has direct responsibility for deciding its market position

product line-up and value offerings. 

Point.P, which is the market leader in France, serves build

professionals through a highly decentralized group of busines

operating 1,300 outlets nationwide. It is also present in Catalonia, Sp

La Plateforme du Bâtiment - a new distribution concept launche

1998 - is exclusively targeted at building professionals an

modeled on the cash and carry principle. This brand now has ou

in 14 cities in France and is gradually being rolled out to o

countries. Seven branches have been set up in Poland, Sp

BUILDING MATERIALS DISTRIBUTION

> Castiron pipes, connectors 

and accessories

> Hydraulic valves and fountains

> Road-building supplies

> Pipes and connectors 

for wastewater and rainwater 

in the building industry

> Drinking water supply

Irrigation

Wastewater networks

Road-building and civil engineering

> US Pipe (United States)

> Mac Wane (United States)

> Kubota (Japan)

> Buderus (Germany)

> Norinco (France)

> Tyco (United States)

> World leader in ductile castiron p

* Source: Saint-Gobain
essential product “destinations”: fitted kitchens, fitted

bathrooms, interior carpentry and exterior carpentry. Other

marketing developments throughout the year included

renovation of shops, new catalogues and the launch of a new

advertising campaign. Lapeyre has an extensive presence in

France, with 300 points of sale, and also operates in Belgium

and Switzerland. The company’s presence in São Paulo, Brazil

through Telhanorte, has given an additional boost to its

international development. 

The Division has two main banners in the United Kingdom:

Jewson, which is Britain’s biggest building materials merchant,

and Graham, a specialist in plumbing and heating. Both are

firmly focused on providing proactive local service to small

contractors and tradespeople through their network of 630

agency outlets.

Raab Karcher is the leading building materials distributor for

trade customers in Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands and the

Czech Republic and has a network of over 410 agency outlets.

The company’s acquisition of Keramundo has given it a

leadership position in the German market as a distributor of

ceramic tiles.

The Division’s global presence does not preclude a strong local

dimension in products and solutions that cater to local preferences

while serving the traditional needs of the building industry. In each

market and region, homes have specific architectural features – wall

facings and coatings vary from one country to another, while roof

tiles are different in many regions. More than half of the Division’s

sales are generated in the Americas, yet its vast product offerings

are available in twenty-three countries. 

* Source: Saint-Gobain
construction and utilities, as well as in civil engineering projects

(railway ties, arch stones, supports). Over the year, this business line

continued to actively branch out into urban furniture, floor slabs and

paving stones, gardening and landscaping items.

PIPE

The Pipe Division is the world’s leading producer and exporter of

ductile cast-iron pipes and connectors and supplies for roadworks

and utilities.* The Division intends to firm up its leadership position

in all markets where it is present by building on its technical and

business expertise. This strategy is rooted in three goals:

- Expand into new growth markets to offset flat demand in

traditional European markets. The Division has boosted its

presence in emerging economies, where it has invested in plant

and equipment. A prime example is the development strategy

for China, which was given a boost in 2002 by the signing of a

joint-venture agreement. This will enable the Division to

significantly broaden its reach in China – a country that is in the

process of becoming the world’s leading market. At the same time,

the network of sales offices is being extended throughout the

globe in order to better serve markets with the most growth

potential. To this end, 2002 saw new sales offices set up in the

West Indies and Ireland. 

* Source: Saint-Gobain

460 km of ductile cast-iron pipes designed to supply drinking water to Abu Dha
field of environmental applications, water transportation and treatment,

renewable energy (in particular solar and wind energy) and information

technology and communications, such as printed circuit manufacturing

equipment, visual display units or optical transmission systems and more.

research in Europe.

- The sites of Northboro and Worcester in Massachusetts bring together

a key section of researches in Ceramics, polymers and Abrasives. 

Saint-Gobain Recherche (SGR) All Glass divisions Aubervilliers (France)

Centre de Recherche et d’Etudes Européen 

(European Research & Engineering Center) Ceramics Cavaillon (France)

R&D Center Abrasives Worcester (United States)

Northboro R&D Center Ceramics, Plastics and Abrasives Northboro (United States)

Solon Development Center Crystals and Detectors Solon (United States)

Centre de Développement Industriel Flat Glass Thourotte (France)

Sekurit Saint-Gobain (ZAF) Flat Glass Herzogenrath (Germany)

Centro de Investigacion y Desarrollo Flat Glass Avilés (Spain)

Centre Recherche/Développement (CRIR) Insulation Rantigny (France)

Technology Center Insulation/Building Materials Blue Bell (United States)

Vetrotex R&D Center Reinforcements Chambéry (France)

Development Center of Wichita Falls Reinforcements Wichita Falls (United States)

Process & Product Devt. Pipe Pont- à-Mousson (France)

Chalon Technical Center Containers Chalon sur Saône (France)

Vinyl Siding & Windows Building Materials Jackson (United States)

Development Center Bayex Technical Fabrics Sainte Catharines (Canada)

The table below summarizes the Group’s research centers and their

capabilities.

SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

Human

resources

environment, 

health and safe

general principles of conduct and action 

for the saint-gobain group

II - SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
24

In January 2003 the Board of Directors of Compagnie de SaintGobain adopted the following as the Group’s principles of behavior

and action:

The Saint-Gobain Group has developed a number of shared

principles applied by both management and employees which

have guided the activities of the Group over the years.

Today the Group wishes to give written expression to these

principles in order to facilitate their communication and consolidate

their implementation throughout the Group worldwide. The

purpose of this document is also to make a public statement of

Saint-Gobain’s adherence to these basic principles of conduct and

action, which apply to all companies forming the Group without

regard to the country of activity.

The principles set out are not intended to be exhaustive but to cover

the most essential areas. They are complemented, and may in the

future be further complemented, by sometimes more specific rules

having regard to local conditions or particular positions of

responsibility, but in any case without detracting from the basic

principles.

The application of these principles is a requirement for belonging

to the Saint-Gobain Group.

PRINCIPLES OF CONDUCT

The Saint-Gobain Group considers that the basic values shared

by management and employees alike are professional

commitment, respect for others, integrity, loyalty and solidarity.

These are principles of conduct which apply to each one of us.

Professional commitment for us means mobilising to the best

of one’s ability the knowledge and know-how of the individual and

also calls for training to keep both up to date. It requires personal

commitment and a willingness to take on those tasks which have

been assigned and to acquire needed knowledge. It implies the

effective contribution of each person in caring particularly for the

environment and for worker health and safety.

Respect for others is an absolute prerequisite for the professiona

and personal development of each person. It must be applied

throughout the Group worldwide and implies an acceptance of

pluralism and other cultures and of people of all origins. It is

expressed in a readiness to listen to others, to inform, to explain and

to engage in dialogue.

Integrity requires a rigorous adherence to probity in one’s

professional activities. It admits of no compromising of the interests

of the Group entrusted to the given individual in favour of that

person’s own private interests – whether in dealings within the

Group or in dealings on behalf of the Group with third parties,

whatever local practices might be. 

Detailed rules of conduct may be adopted for certain categories

of Group personnel where the nature of their responsibilities so

requires.

Loyalty requires honesty and fairness in dealing with superiors,

colleagues, subordinates and third parties dealing with the Group

In particular, it is incompatible with the pursuit of self-interest where

the latter conflicts with the goals of the individual Group company

or the Group as a whole. It implies the adherence to the guidelines

and internal rules of individual Group companies and of the Group

as a whole.

Solidarity is based on a sense of individual responsibility at work

which prevails over self-centered thinking and encourages team

work and bringing out the best in each person. It means rejecting

management or operational methods which are geared more to

the self-satisfaction of given individuals rather than the interests

of the particular Group company or the Group as a whole.

PRINCIPLES OF ACTION

The Saint-Gobain Group wishes to set out the principles of action which

govern the activity of all management and employees in the exercise

of their professional responsibilities regardless of the country involved

These principles of action(1) contribute to the realisation of

sustainable development and responsible patterns of growth in

accordance with the long-term strategy pursued by the Group.

(1) They are intended to embody the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises,

adopted in June 2000.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF CONDUCT AND ACTION 

FOR THE SAINT-GOBAIN GROUP
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

RESPECT FOR THE LAW

All Group companies are to apply in all areas all laws and

regulations in force in those countries where they carry on business.

Particular attention is drawn to the areas described below.

All Group companies shall prohibit all actions which might breach

applicable norms of competition law.

They shall refrain from any form of financing political parties or

activities, even if allowed under local law.

They also are to reject all forms of active or passive corruption

whether in domestic or international transactions(2).

Furthermore, Group companies are to renounce exploiting loopholes

or inadequacies in any such laws or regulations where this would

mean non-compliance with the norms of the Saint-Gobain Group

in the areas described below.

CARING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Group companies are to actively promote the protection of the

environment.

At company sites management methods shall be followed, wherever

the site may be located, which allow measurable environmental

performance standards to be set, and actual performance to be

regularly evaluated and checked against the applicable standards.

They shall strive to raise the main relevant environmental performance

standards of their own sites to the level of particularly effective

performance standards found in the Group for comparable sites

– even if that means going beyond the requirements of local

legislation.

WORKER HEALTH AND SAFETY

Group companies are to take particular care to adopt all measures

necessary to ensure the best possible protection against health and

safety risks in the workplace.

They shall adopt risk reduction policies and follow-up on the due

application of the same, checking actual results against the

applicable standards. Such policies shall apply both to their own

employees and to employees of sub-contractors where the latter

are working on a Group site.

They shall strive to raise the main relevant health and safety

performance standards of their own sites to the level of particularly

effective performance standards found in the Group for comparable

sites – even if that means going beyond the requirements of local

legislation.

EMPLOYEE RIGHTS

Group companies are to scrupulously ensure that employees’ rights

are respected. 

They are to promote an active dialogue with their employees.

In addition, and without limitation, they shall respect the following

rules, even if not provided for by applicable local law: 

1. they shall refrain from any form of recourse to forced labour,

compulsory labour or child labour(3) – whether directly or

indirectly or through sub-contractors where the latter are working

on a Group site; and

2. they shall refrain from any form of discrimination of whatever

kind with respect to their employees whether in the recruitment

process, at hiring, or during or at the end of the employment

relationship.

Each member of management and employee of the Saint-Gobain

Group is personally responsible for applying these principles of

conduct and of action.

Each management level - company, business unit, Delegation or

Branch - carries its own responsibility for ensuring the application

of these principles of the Group.

The Branches and Delegations are to report regularly to the general

management of the Group on how the principles are being applied.

The general management of the Group is to implement awareness

and training programmes in order to promote these principles

across the Group. It will stipulate the measures required to enable

effective testing, and checking of actual results against the

applicable standards, to be carried out.

In defining its strategy and the conduct of its operations, the Group

is mindful of its responsibility of working towards sustainable

development. 

The Group’s human resources management policy revolves

around a central aim of providing a caring environment in which

each individual can find personal fulfillment. Further objectives are

to promote teamwork, listen actively, engage in constructive

dialogue with employee representatives, develop employee skills

and offer opportunities for professional growth. The Group is also

intent on facilitating the entry of young people into professional

life and encourages the involvement of its subsidiaries in local

community life. 

(2) Covered by the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public

Officials in International Business Transactions of 17th December 1997.

(3) As defined by the applicable conventions of the International Labour Organisation.

* * *
26

Respect for the environment is another aspect of Saint-Gobain’s

commitment to human well-being. The development of its

operations must not only take into account the health and safety

of its employees and of all persons residing near Group sites, but

also avoid impacting the environment. Over the past several years,

the Group has implemented procedures to guarantee the health and

safety of its employees, to prevent industrial risks and to monitor and

minimize the impact of its manufacturing processes. Saint-Gobain

is also actively involved in research and innovation to improve the

environmental quality of its industrial processes and to develop

“green” products.

Saint-Gobain’s Human Resources management policy is a major

strategic focus. Its purpose is to anticipate the needs of the

organizations that make up the Group, to create the conditions that

cause employees to support company objectives, to meet employee

needs by taking into account their career projects and providing

satisfactory work conditions. 

1. GROUP EMPLOYEES

Living in more than 45 different countries, working in manufacturing,

processing or retailing, the Saint-Gobain Group’s 172,357

employees at December 31, 2002 are a particularly diverse group

of people.

A • BUSINESS LINES

51% of the Group’s employees work in its “historic“ businesses

while the remaining 49% are in the high-growth businesses. 

Most of Saint-Gobain’s historic businesses, namely Containers

Insulation, Pipe and Building Materials, have seen their share of

employee headcount decline over the past several years. These

businesses have automated their manufacturing processes to raise

productivity and generate free cash flow, which is for the most part

invested in emerging countries. 

Flat Glass stands out as an exception among the historic businesses

since its share of employee headcount rose to 21.5% in 2002, up

from 15% in 1997. This is due to the consolidation of processing

subsidiaries, but also to expansion in the United Kingdom and in the

emerging countries of South Korea, China, Poland and India. 

The high-growth businesses of High-Performance Materials

Reinforcements and Building Materials Distribution have

experienced mixed trends in recent years. 

Although developing High-Performance Materials operations

remains a major strategic imperative for the Group, their share of

employee numbers has eased back in recent years, for three majo

reasons. First, the numerous acquisitions in the field of Abrasives that

the Group carried out in the 1990s gave rise to reorganizations when

the new companies were integrated. Second, many sites have been

switched to more automatic processes, particularly in the more

traditional ceramics activities, such as refractories. Lastly, plummeting

capital expenditure in the manufacturing sector made downsizing

unavoidable in Abrasives, as the crisis in the telecommunications

and semi-conductors markets did in Ceramics & Plastics. These

economic trends were amplified by the fact that both businesses are

strongly established in the United States, where layoffs in response

to economic downturns are more common and larger than in

Europe. 

The Reinforcements business has maintained a steady share in

recent years despite increasing automation at European plants, due

to the offsetting effect of acquisitions in countries where plants are

less automated, and developments in the processing of glass

threads, a more labor-intensive activity. 

The Building Materials Distribution division, which now represents

28.5% of total staff against 13% in 1997 is by far the fastestgrowing. This jump is the result of large-scale external growth

operations, with Jewson and Graham in the United Kingdom and

Raab Karcher in Germany, as well as of many bolt-on acquisitions

which reflect the Group’s determination to develop the business

It is also attributable to dynamic organic growth. One example is the

setting up and international roll-out of La Plateforme du Bâtiment

which has allowed 1,524 new jobs to be created in the past fou

years in Europe and Mexico. 

HUMAN RESOURCES

Breakdown by division of employee headcount
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

B • THE GROUP’S GLOBAL PRESENCE

The share of Western countries is tending to decline in favor of

emerging nations. France accounts for 29% of employees, against

one-third five years ago, while North America saw its share diminish

from 21% to 16%. 

Over the past five years, the workforce in Asia, Latin America and

South Africa has grown by 60%. Overall, emerging countries now

host 19% of Group employees, a consequence of Saint-Gobain’s

strategy of expansion in those rapidly growing markets. 

C. EMPLOYEE CATEGORIES

• Executives(1)

Executives and managers represent 11.1% of total Group

employees. The Flat Glass and Containers divisions, which have lean

organization structures, include 8.6% and 8.1% of executives,

respectively. At the other end of the scale, the Insulation and

Abrasives divisions have the highest proportions of executives, with

15.3% and 14.3% respectively, as the more dispersed nature of

their markets calls for larger sales and marketing teams. The

Insulation business also has more extensive research and

development operations in relation to its size than the other Group

divisions. 

• Blue-collar workers(2)

Number of blue-collar employees

Blue-collar workers account for 53.7% of total Group employees on

average, but the proportion varies widely from one division to

another. The Building Materials Distribution division includes only

24.6%, in Lapeyre plants, as sales outlets employ virtually no bluecollar workers. 

In the industrial divisions, blue-collar workers represent between

58.5% and 76% of employees, mainly depending on the type of

organization structure. Divisions in which shift work is particularly

prevalent, such as Containers and Reinforcements, tend to have a

higher proportion of blue-collar workers. Further, in each division, the

size of structures not directly linked to production, such as sales and

marketing or R&D, also influences these figures. 

Working hours(3) 

Work is organized in shifts in many manufacturing activities, to meet

technical requirements. Distribution operations do not have this type

of work. In industrial operations 51% of employees perform shift

work, and the proportion rises to two-thirds in Reinforcements and

Containers. 

Each workstation can have two or three shifts, or even more in some

cases, when work takes place 24/7, in uninterrupted production. The

latter schedule concerns 34% of employees within Saint-Gobain’s

industrial companies, mainly in glass production lines.

Throughout the Group, any uninterrupted production takes place

in cycles, in an alternation of working and rest & recuperation periods.

Overall, in all countries the number of hours worked annually by shift

workers is lower than that of workers who have a daily schedule. 

Overtime(4) 

To meet a temporary increase in their workload, some Group

companies sometimes need to ask their employees to work

overtime. On average, these overtime hours represented 3.9% of

hours worked in 2002. This figure is fairly low (between 2.5% and

6%) in most industrial divisions, since production lines that work

uninterruptedly only very rarely need to call upon overtime. The

figure is slightly lower, 2,2%, in Building Materials Distribution, since

this division’s sales outlets have regular opening and closing hours,

while it is higher in Building Materials, reaching 7.2%. In the latter

division, where the proportion of shift work is the Group’s lowest,

the use of overtime hours in 2002 was attributable to buoyant sales

volumes. 

D. AGE DISTRIBUTION AMONG EMPLOYEES(5)

The average age of Group employees is 39 years and a half and

average seniority amounts to 12 years. Seniority is particularly high in

the divisions which have the largest industrial facilities, where

employee populations are very stable: the average in the Pipe division

is 17 years and a half and in Containers it is 15 years and a half. 

In industrialized countries, average age and seniority are roughly

consistent from one country to another, and at a fairly high level. The

average age varies from 39 to 44 and average seniority is

(1) Data concerning executives are based on 83% of total Group staff. (2) Data concerning blue-collar workers are based on 90% of total Group staff. (3) Data concerning working hours are based on 86.4% of total Group staff,

excluding Building Materials Distribution. (4) Data concerning overtime are based on 89% of total Group staff. (5) The average age of employees is based on 90% of the total and average

seniority on 88% of total Group staff.

Breakdown by country of employee headcount
28

approximately 12 and a half years. In Germany, Belgium and

particularly Spain, where the Group has a long-standing industrial

presence, seniority is higher. It is however lower in the Netherlands

(8 years and a half ) since the Group’s presence there is mostly in

Building Materials Distribution, where employee turnover is higher. 

In the emerging countries of Eastern Europe, Latin America and Asia,

the average age is 35 and the average seniority about 7 years. These

figures, considerably below the Group average, reflect Saint-Gobain’s

recent development in these areas. 

2. EMPLOYMENT

A. HIRES AND DEPARTURES

• Employment trends

In 2002, the number of Group employees contracted by 1.5%. This

downward movement was principally due to unfavorable economic

conditions, which slowed organic growth and called for restructuring

in a number of businesses. The most heavily affected divisions were

Flat Glass, Pipe, Insulation and above all Ceramics & Plastics and

Abrasives. 

Building Materials and Containers, which enjoyed better trading

conditions, kept their employee numbers more or less level. 

Two businesses that had a slight job-creating effect were Building

Materials Distribution, which continued its organic growth, and

Reinforcements, where downsizing in some countries was offset

by the recommissioning of a Vetrotex America furnace in the U.S.

and by development in emerging countries. 

On average, Western Europe and North America streamlined thei

workforces in order to upgrade operations that were struggling and

to make the necessary productivity-boosting efforts to stay

competitive. All emerging countries created jobs in 2002, on the

back of favorable market conditions that supported the Group’s

active expansion drive. The outcome was that, based on a

comparable structure, Asian headcount grew 4.3%, while the

Brazilian workforce edged up 0.2% and the Baltic states saw thei

employee populations surge 13%. 

• Employee turnover

Aside from job creations, employee turnover rates can vary from

country to country based on cultural factors in each job market and

possible recruitment difficulties. In the United Kingdom, because the

job market has traditionally been dynamic, employee turnover rates

are higher than in other Western European countries. In emerging

countries, higher turnover reflects both numerous opportunities

offered by a growing domestic economy and some difficulties

encountered in recruiting, integrating or training local staff. 

• Reasons for departures(6)

In 2002, 18.1% of Group employees left Saint-Gobain. Among

these, layoffs affected 6.6% of total Group staff(7). The proportion

did not exceed 5.2% in the Glass Sector and in the Pipe Division

but was 7.2% and 8.9% respectively in Building Materials and

Building Materials Distribution, where employee turnover tends to

be higher. It reached 9.4% in the Ceramics & Plastics Division and

11.1% in Abrasives, as both of these divisions were hard-hit by the

market slowdown and had to reduce their workforces in 2002. 

(6) All data concerning departures and reasons for departure are based on 90% 

of total Group staff. (7) The layoff rate has been calculated based on 90% of total Group staff 

at December 31, 2002.

Recruitment Rate and Departure Rate by Division

Recruitment Rate and Departure Rate by Country
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

Resignations were tendered by 6.9% of Group employees in 2002.

The percentage varies from 4 to 8% in most divisions, but it is

noticeably lower, at 1.7%, in the Pipe Division where the employee

population tends to be stable, and considerably higher (11.4%) in

the Building Materials Distribution business which has a higher

turnover rate.

Among executives, resignation and layoff rates were roughly equal,

at 3% .(8)

B. PROGRAMS TO PRESERVE JOBS

The Group carries out layoffs or restructuring programs only when

these are unavoidably required for the economic health of the

subsidiary concerned. In such cases, a great deal of resources are

mobilized both in-house and externally to minimize the impact on

employees. In these difficult situations, the Group’s size is

undeniably an advantage, since it is often possible to offer

employees a new position in another subsidiary, if they so wish.

Group companies also provide many types of support to employees

affected by downsizing, such as outplacement help, assistance to

families needing to relocate, personalized training programs or

contribution to the launching of a personal project. 

As an example, when Saint-Gobain Céramiques Avancées

Desmarquest (SGCAD, France) had to be reorganized, 263 positions

available within the Group were offered to the 172 employees

whose jobs had been eliminated. Each of these persons receives

individual attention from an employment counselor, who seeks to

provide the best possible outplacement solution, whether in-house

or outside the Group. Lastly, SGCAD takes into account the difficulties

that can be involved in adapting to new job requirements, by

providing complementary training and offering the same help to the

spouse as well as assistance in seeking housing or a school if the

family has to move. The job preservation plan was approved by

SGCAD’s employee representatives on January 8, 2003. 

C. USE OF TEMPORARY WORKERS AND CONTRACTORS

Temporary work

When future orders are hard to forecast, if recruitment is hampered

by temporary difficulties, or if an employee needs to be replaced,

Group subsidiaries may call upon temporary workers. 

The services of temporary work agencies(9) are particularly well

suited when there is little advance notice and the duration of the

need is unknown, therefore they are used for replacements.

Absenteeism, of which 69.4% is due to illness, 8% to exceptional

leave (mainly family events) and 6.8% to work accidents, creates

a need for labor that is generally filled by temporary workers. The

proportion of temporary workers, 4%, is practically equal to the

absenteeism rate of 3.9%. 

(8) This figure is based on 87.5% of Group executives. (9) Data concerning temporary work agencies and absenteeism are based on 73.9%

of the total Group staff.

Layoff Rate by Division

Resignation Rate

Proportion of Temporary Workers (based on 73.9% of total Group staff)
30

At December 31, 2002, 3.7% of employees had fixed-term work

contracts(10) , from a low of 2.2% in Building Materials Distribution

to 7.8% in Insulation. However, the percentage of fixed-term work

contracts is higher for new hires. These contracts accounted for onethird of recruitments for the Group as a whole, and up to half in

Flat Glass, Insulation and Pipe. The reason for this high proportion is

that, in addition to needs related to a spike in the workload or to

replacements for long-term leave (particularly maternity leave, which

accounts for 5.4% of absenteeism), these divisions recruit on fixedterm contracts the persons who replace their employees during

summer vacations. 

Use of contractors

In all countries where the Group has operations, other companies

are called upon to perform work that does not match the Group

subsidiary’s expertise. Two types of work may be outsourced in this

way. The most common are ancillary tasks such as security,

maintenance, cleaning, catering, medical services and, for smaller units,

payroll services, information technology or accounting. Other tasks that

are sometimes outsourced are packaging, and handling or shipping of

products. Although related to the manufacturing and distribution of

products, such tasks remain outside the Group’s core business. 

Before signing any outsourcing contract, Group subsidiaries take

great pains to verify that the partner company’s operations and work

contracts comply with applicable regulations. Since site managers

can be held responsible for any health or security matters affecting

an individual working on their site, the employees of contractors

called upon to work at Group sites are subject to the same rules

as Group staff. In a certain number of cases, they receive specific

training on health and safety rules. 

D. PART-TIME WORK(11)

Part-time work is not very well suited to industrial work patterns, and

it concerns only 2.4% of Group employees, 8.7% of women and

0.8% of men. 

3. HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT 

A. RECRUITING WITH A VIEW TO THE FUTURE

In 2002, the Group recruited approximately 26,000 individuals

worldwide.

• Bringing in a new generation

Young people under 25 made up 35.5% of new hires in 2002(12)

This proportion varies according to each country’s traditions of highe

education, and due to different activity levels in the job market fo

that age group. It reflects an attempt to ensure balance in the age

distribution of the employee population. 

In Western Europe, most industrial subsidiaries must ensure that

a new generation is brought in, as the baby-boomers are reaching

retirement age. 

Companies based in emerging countries, particularly in Asia and

Central Europe, do not share the same concern, as their employees

tend to be younger. They have no need to reach out specifically to

the under-25 bracket. 

• Attracting top talent

Saint-Gobain seeks to attract top talent through public relations

campaigns aimed at the student body and by building specia

relationships with universities and programs that teach the skills

the Group needs. Each year, the Group takes part in three

international recruitment forums, two in the United States and one

in Europe, and in ten domestic forums in France. It has also built

many ties with business and engineering schools, from sponsoring

a specialized program or class to personalized support for individua

students (in particular to finance thesis work). 

A recent study showed that the recruitment section of the SaintGobain website is its most visited area. This dedicated space receives

over 12,000 applications per year, of which 30% are then

redistributed to the divisions and subsidiaries. The Group has also

signed up with the French job search engine “Keljob”, to give its

job offers maximum exposure. 

(10) Data concerning employees on fixed-term work contracts are based on 89% 

of total Group staff, while data on the breakdown of hires by type of contract

are based on 88.5% of total Group staff. (11) Data concerning part-time work are based on 89% of total Group staff. (12) Data concerning the hiring of young people are based on 75.4% of Group staff,

excluding North America.

Percentage of Employees on Fixed-term Contracts 

at December 31, 2002
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

Locally, each Delegation and company conducts its own

recruitment strategy, generally using its own website. Each builds

its own relationships with local educational institutions, based on

its own needs. 

In France, for example, the three annual product catalogs issued

by the “Lapeyre, la maison” building materials distribution banner

include a recruitment section, to attract potential applicants. 

In Sweden, Saint-Gobain Isover, in partnership with five other

industrial companies, has since 1995 worked extensively to give

teenagers from 16 to 18 a positive view of work in industry, by

organizing in-depth sessions during which the young people discover

all of the company’s functions. 

In Germany, the Delegation set up a particularly attractive integration

program for high-level new hires. Entitled “Become a Global Player”,

this program allows ten young people of all nationalities to carry

out three six-month assignments in two countries before taking up

a permanent position in Germany. This helps them to integrate into

the global Group and improves their ability to work within multicultural teams. 

Lastly, in Brazil the Group partly finances the studies of young people

whom it has identified as high-potential future hires. 

B. PROMOTING DIVERSITY

Women now account for 18.6% of Saint-Gobain’s workforce(13).

This low proportion is mainly due to the nature of Saint-Gobain’s

operations. For a long time, night-time work was illegal for women

in many countries (in France until 2001), therefore female workers

could not join shifts working in uninterrupted production. They are

consequently very much under-represented among blue-collar

workers, while they make up 27.3% of the non-blue collar workforce.

There are slightly more women (over 20% of employees) in the

high-growth businesses where work is often organized on a daily

basis and where few tasks require great physical strength, as

compared to the historic businesses whose high-temperature

processes run in an uninterrupted fashion. For cultural reasons, there

is a more strongly feminine workforce in the Nordic countries, and

especially in the Baltic states (27%) and in Central Europe (over

30%), than in the rest of the Group. 

The Group aims to achieve a better balance between men and

women, particularly at the management level. This is part of a

broader aim of promoting diversity and better taking into account

different approaches and sensitivities in human relations, not only

in-house but in dealing with all of the company’s stakeholders. 

The workforce is becoming increasingly feminine, as 20.4% of new

hires are women. This trend is apparent in most countries and

particularly noticeable in Spain, where the proportion of women(14)

is still below the Group average but 30% of new hires are women. 

The drive to build a more feminine management is bearing its first

fruits. Today 13% of executives are women, up from 10% in 1997.

They work mostly in finance (25% of the staff), human resources

(36%) and tax and legal functions (46%), and are much fewer in

manufacturing-related work and in general management of facilities

or companies. 

Because women still do not occupy a substantial share of executive

functions, particularly in senior management, and because they still

have on average much less seniority within the Group (their average

seniority is 2 1/2 years lower than men’s) and because more of them

work part-time, women still receive only 14.6% of total wages. 

Saint-Gobain’s policy is to ensure, in recruitment and access to

functions wielding responsibility, equal opportunity that is compatible

with the nature of the work involved. 

(13) Data in this paragraph are based on 86% of total Group staff and data 

on the proportion of women executives are based on 87.5% of Group executives. (14) The percentage of women among new hires is based on 86% of total Group staff. 

Proportion of Female Employees
32

• Increasingly international teams(15) 

One of the Group’s key strengths is its global dimension, since

exchanges among countries and internationally diverse teams help

boost competitiveness. The Group’s first priority is to create local

management in each country where it is based. Whether in Eastern

Europe, Latin America or Asia, at least 84% of executives are from

the local country. Saint-Gobain also seeks to develop a multicultural

flair among its managers, by giving them assignments outside their

home country, especially at the outset of their careers. 7% of

executives and 10% of those under 30 work in international

postings. In several divisions, each European country offers an entrylevel position to a newly-hired young person from another country.

In 2002, some twenty young graduates were also admitted into

Group companies worldwide as part of France’s Volontaires

Internationaux en Entreprise (VIE) program.

Even in Building Materials Distribution, where the very nature of

the business makes it an essentially local operation, creating

international teams and multiplying exchanges between countries

have allowed significant synergies to arise and have promoted the

sharing of best practices. For this reason, the Division considers that

developing international mobility among its executives is an added

strength in its business.

C. OFFERING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES THAT PAVE THE WAY

FOR REAL RESPONSIBILITY

Mobility between regions and functions is one of the essential

building-blocks of Saint-Gobain’s development. Through the varied

experience offered within the Group, executives can prepare

themselves step by step to taking on greater responsibility. In-house

promotion is a dynamic actuality, because individuals’ wishes are

taken into account, particularly through annual performance

evaluations that have been applied across the board. In addition, job

offers are posted on the intranet and the criteria governing expatriate

positions have been explained and are applied in all transparency. 

In 2002, the rate of mobility among executives, calculated by

dividing all movements within the Group by the total number of

executives, came to 8%(16) .

D. BUILDING SKILLS THROUGH TRAINING(17) 

Continual improvement in the Group’s performance relies on

consolidation and development of its employees’ skill-sets. In 2002,

each employee received an average of 17 hours of training. The total

investment in increasing skills came to €62 million, representing

2.1% of total payroll costs. Training programs focused on five key

areas:

• Strengthening competitiveness through the development 

of technical skills and expertise 

Over two-thirds of all training initiatives focus on technical skills

ranging from applied research to production techniques and

methods. In addition to each division’s own resources, Saint-Gobain

has a cross-functional unit, the University of Glass, established in

1985, which aims to roll out knowledge of glass manufacturing and

consolidate Saint-Gobain’s technological advance. In 2002, 134

engineers and technicians from all divisions and all continents

attended training courses at this University. 

• Developing the ability to innovate, and sales and marketing

skills, to promote organic growth 

Organic growth requires a proactive research and development

policy and continually improved performance in the market. Training

programs support these efforts, with specific cycles aimed at certain

audiences, e.g. for young researchers to help them bring their work

in line with what markets expect. 

Improving sales relationships is of interest to all divisions, and many

training programs have been set up to develop better listening skills

and boost service quality not only within the sales and marketing

teams but also among technical and functional teams. Toward this

end, Point.P set up its Point.P School in 1996. This institution, which

now includes two campuses and a technical training center, offers

seminars on all aspects of the retailing business including sales

techniques, product knowledge and management. It welcomed

3,553 trainees in 2002. 

(15) All data concerning the international diversity of executives are based on 87.5% 

of Group executives. (16) This statistic is based on 87.5% of Group executives (17) Data concerning training are based on 80.5% of Group staff outside North America.

Average Number of Training Hours per Employee
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

• Assisting with the Group’s international development by

transferring know-how to countries where greenfield

operations are being launched

For international development to work, it must involve a transfer of

know-how from the Group’s traditional markets to the regions where

it is newly present. In these countries, training efforts are more

extensive than in most Western countries. In Brazil and Central

America, for example, employees received an average of 54 hours

and 36 hours of training, respectively, in 2002. Although transfers of

executives and on-site training are the main avenues by which this

transfer of know-how takes place, new technology also proves to be

an effective tool for the acquisition of technical knowledge. In Mexico

an e-Learning training program using multimedia technology has

been set up for workers in glass-cutting operations. This project,

called MKT2 (Managing Knowledge and Technological Transfer),

began in early 2002 and significantly raised the skill levels of all

the trainees even as it shrank the training period from 6 months

to one month. 

Language skills provide the necessary support system for the

Group’s international development, therefore a considerable degree

of training is provided in this area, essentially in the Group’s two

working languages of English and French. 

• Making the most of each person’s skills, by enhancing 

the efficiency of teams 

One of the key challenges of training is to leverage the as yet

untapped skills of all employees, by training leaders who can

facilitate, energize and develop their teams. 

Management training takes place both at Group level and within the

various countries and operating units. The Group invested heavily in

this area in 2002, particularly in emerging countries, and this reflects

the importance Saint-Gobain attaches to building a local

management structure. The average number of training hours

provided to executives was 40 in Central America, 50 in Poland,

60 in other Central European Countries and 98 in Brazil. 

• Strengthening the Group’s corporate culture and promoting

the sharing of best practices 

Lastly, one of the principal aims of the training policy is to ensure that

all Saint-Gobain employees share the same values and the same

management principles, by building on synergies between the

various entities.

The head office organizes “Development of Saint-Gobain

Management” programs, in which nearly 350 participants from all

operating units take part each year. These forums for learning,

exchanges, discussions and experimenting can take the form of

itinerant seminars or specific sessions in various countries. They

revolve around major themes that tie in with the key strategic

objectives. External guests such as university professors, consultants

and other professionals are often brought in, but the programs also

rely on strong involvement from the Group’s most senior leadership

and on the personal work of each participant. These events are the

crucible in which the Saint-Gobain corporate culture continues to be

forged. They contribute greatly to the Group’s cohesiveness. 

4. EMPLOYEE RELATIONS 

A. AN EMPLOYEE RELATIONS POLICY BASED ON DIALOGUE

WITH EMPLOYEE REPRESENTATIVES

• Consultation with employee representatives(18) 

The Saint-Gobain Group attaches a great deal of importance to the

quality of its dialogue with employee representatives. Indeed, to raise

performance within a perpetually changing environment, the Group

frequently has to make rapid changes in organization and working

conditions. In each region, therefore, general delegations coordinate

employee relations, to ensure that specific local features are

adequately taken into account.

Approximately 82.7% of Group employees have an employee

representative body within their company. In all, 768 agreements

were signed within the Group in 2002, dealing with wages (35%),

working conditions (24.5%), and, to a lesser degree, employment

(12%), vocational training (2%) or other issues.

(18) Data concerning consultation with employee representatives are based on 88%

of total Group staff and 417 companies.

Percentage Represented by an Employee Representative Body
34

In addition to a Group Works Committee and central employee

representative coordinators for all of France, the Group has since

1988 set up a European-level forum for employee relations. A

plenary meeting has been held each year since 1992 as part of the

Collective Agreement on European Employee Consultation. It brings

together 70 employee representatives from European Union

countries, Switzerland and Norway. During this meeting the

Chairman of Saint-Gobain exchanges views with employee

representatives concerning the Group’s strategy and various

economic, financial and social issues of interest to all European

subsidiaries. A permanent secretariat in charge of the year-long

follow-up with employee representatives keeps up regular

exchanges with Human Resources management at Group and

Delegation levels. This secretariat includes eight members of seven

different nationalities: German, French, British, Spanish, Italian,

Dutch and Norwegian.

• Compensation policy

The Group’s compensation policy aims to be fair, motivating and

transparent. Basic wages are set in each country and each economic

sector in relation to market conditions. 

In all subsidiaries, the average wage for blue-collar workers is higher

than the domestic minimum. In emerging countries it is at least

2.5 times the minimum, and even up to 5 times more in Mexico. 

In France, the average annual wage of blue-collar workers is 68% higher

than the SMIC minimum wage(19) and payroll taxes in the Containers

Division, as one example, amount to 54.75% of total wages.

Executives’ wages include a variable portion for which rules are set

at Group level and tailored to each region based on local conditions.

Also, to encourage teamwork and ensure that the fruits of

success are shared by all, the Group encourages its subsidiaries

to sign collective employee incentive profit-sharing agreements

whenever possible. In France 85% of subsidiaries have signed

these agreements, which cover nearly 93% of employees in the

country(20) . In 2002, these companies paid €42.8 million to

their employees as profit-sharing bonuses, which represented

4% of total wages. 

• Employee benefits

In most countries where the Group is based, whether in Europe

Asia or Latin America, Group subsidiaries give their employees

complementary benefits in addition to those provided by law (e.g

additional medical cover, pensions or life insurance), as well as

grants for meals and sometimes for commuting. In France, in al

companies with over 50 employees, 1.2% of the payroll is

earmarked for activities to benefit employees, managed by the

Works Councils. 

B. HELPING YOUNG WORKERS ENTER PROFESSIONAL LIFE

Thanks to its size and the variety of professions that it brings together

the Group plays a major role in facilitating the entry of young workers

into professional life. 

Most of its subsidiaries welcome young people during their studies

through specific contracts that provide an opportunity to contribute

directly to the training of future employees. More than 1.5% of the

Group’s employees in 2002 were beneficiaries of such “youth

contracts.” Germany is traditionally the most active participant in this

type of program, and in 2002 over 750 young students received

vocational training in German subsidiaries, representing 4.9% of the

domestic workforce. Over 500 people benefited from such “youth

contracts” in the United Kingdom, and approximately 600 in France

The Building Materials Distribution companies Jewson and Graham

in the United Kingdom and Point.P in France have even set up thei

own work/study training programs which allow them both to provide

the young trainees with a nationally recognized qualification and

to prepare cohesive teams of highly motivated salespeople who are

specially trained in their products and methods. The Brazilian

subsidiaries also welcomed over a hundred young trainees from a

work-study program for workers and technicians at SENAI, a

specialized vocational institute.

C. DISABLED EMPLOYEES (21) 

When an employee is affected by a disability, Group companies

attempt, as far as possible, to keep the person in their job. In France

122 workstations in 36 subsidiaries have been adapted for disabled

persons.

In many countries, Group sites have decided to support

organizations that employ disabled persons, by selecting them as

preferred vendors. Such plants help bring disabled employees into

professional life in a setting that is specifically tailored to thei

situation, in terms of the nature of tasks performed, the pace at

which the work is carried out and especially the training received

by management teams. (19) Based on 169 hours worked per month (20) Data concerning profit-sharing are based on 92% of total French staff. (21) Data concerning disabled employees are based on 70% of total Group staff.
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

73 companies that employ 84% of Group staff in France are

customers of the Centers for Aid through Work (Centres d’Aide par

le travail or CAT), and Saint-Gobain PAM hosts one such center at its

Pont-à-Mousson site. The siting of this CAT center allows its disabled

employees to benefit from the plant’s infrastructure, such as the

cafeteria and medical services, yet its economic independence is

preserved, since the factory is only one customer among several. 

Disabled persons represent 3.4% of employees in Germany, 2.9%

in Italy, and approximately 2% in France, the Netherlands and Brazil. 

D. LOCAL IMPACT

• Saint-Gobain Développement: Teams dedicated to promoting

a dynamic local economy in the regions of France where 

Saint-Gobain has operations

Because the Group has such a dense presence in France, it has

set up a specific structure, Saint-Gobain Développement, to

represent the Group in the various regions and in particular to take

steps to promote job creation. With its three regional delegations,

this organization is a permanent contact point for local officials and

stakeholders. 

Saint-Gobain Développement’s first responsibility is to carry out,

on the Group’s behalf, programs to preserve jobs, in outplacement

of employees through specialized units, and in re-industrializing and

re-energizing areas. Its skills have sometimes been exported as in

2001 when its teams took part in the redeployment of a Canadian

site of the Ceramics & Plastics Division. 

Additional services are offered to employees, such as support in the

evaluation and implementation of personal projects, assistance in

pursuing new opportunities within the Group for both executives

and non-executives and, if needed, facilitation for a spouse or child. 

Supporting job creation in small businesses located near Group sites

and involved in either manufacturing or services to industry, is part

of the Group’s involvement in local economic development. 

Saint-Gobain Développement offers low-interest loans to these

companies, without requiring any collateral, against job creation

commitments. These loans may even be converted into grants if

the beneficiary company recruits former employees or spouses

or children of employees. Alongside this, technical support is

provided to heads of small businesses, particularly in optimizing

their industrial organization. The aim is to set up long-term

partnerships between Saint-Gobain Développement and local small

and medium-sized businesses. 

Through Saint-Gobain Développement, the Group also supports

associations that help people confronted with social or financial

difficulties to re-enter the working world. 

Lastly, Saint-Gobain Développement supports divisions and local

sites in coordinating the handling of issues with a strong local

dimension, such as environmental matters. 

• Saint-Gobain Corporation Foundation, financing many

initiatives in the United States 

In the United States, Saint-Gobain Corporation Foundation was

born in January 2002 as a result of the merger of the corporate

foundations of CertainTeed and Norton. Its mission is to contribute

to the progress of local communities in the regions where the

Group has sites. The foundation is run by a board of directors

and comprises three programs, Corporate Direct, Matching Gifts

and Plant Community. Through Corporate Direct, the board of

directors provides grants to charities and cultural organizations,

as a first priority in the regions where the U.S. subsidiaries have

their headquarters. Matching Gifts allows employees or retired

former employees taking part in this program to support

organizations they care about, and to have the Foundation double

the amount of their contribution, up to a maximum of US$2,500

per year and per person. Lastly, those facilities taking part in the

Plant Community Program are granted an annual budget based

on their number of employees, and they are free to make

donations to the organizations of their choice. 

These programs are highly decentralized, and the Group grants its

subsidiaries a great deal of flexibility in getting involved as they see

fit in the economic and social development of their immediate

environment, or in local cultural life. 
36

For the past several years, the Group has brought together these

three aspects of its industrial operations into a comprehensive and

consistent approach. Based on tangible objectives and drawing upon

substantial financial and human resources, this policy has allowed

Saint-Gobain facilities to make great strides. However, the Group’s

involvement in environmental issues goes beyond minimizing

pollution from its facilities. It also includes positive contributions to

better environmental performance through the development of

“green” markets. 

1. THE GROUP’S POLICY

A. MODERATE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Saint-Gobain’s industrial operations pose relatively few technological

risks. For the most part they process mineral materials and require

practically no explosive or environmentally toxic substances. 

The main pollution generated by Group subsidiaries comes from the

melting processes required to produce glass, cast-iron pipes, various

building materials and some industrial ceramics. These processes

take place in furnaces where temperatures exceed 1,500°C

(2,700°F), drawing upon substantial energy consumption and

causing emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other atmospheric

pollutants such as nitrous oxides (NOx) and sulfur oxides (SOx). 

One third of Group sales come from the distribution of building

materials, a business of people and services that entails very little

risk for the environment, but in which the safety of employees and

satisfactory working conditions are very important issues. 

B. OVERALL OBJECTIVES, TRANSLATED AT A LOCAL LEVEL

In its Principles of Conduct and Action (see pages 24 to 25), the

Group requests that its subsidiaries “actively promote the protection

of the environment” and “ take particular care to adopt all measures

necessary to ensure the best possible protection against health and

safety risks in the workplace”, both for Group employees and for

contractors working at Group sites. 

From these principles stem concrete objectives for environmental

protection, health and safety, that are set by the divisions, delegations

and companies, with the aim of achieving regular progress, taking

into account the specific constraints of each situation. 

C. RESOURCES DEPLOYED

Significant human and material resources have been allocated to

achieve these objectives.

1. A dedicated structure

Within the Group, Environment, Health and Safety issues are

handled by a specific EHS structure that is matrix-based like SaintGobain itself and coordinated by a central Department reporting

directly to General Management. 

In each Division, depending on its size and type of organization, one

or more persons are in charge of translating and tailoring the EHS

policy to the specific context of the Division’s operations. These EHS

managers generally work with their team of correspondents within

the various companies, and within each General Delegation a

coordinator is also responsible for adapting locally the EHS initiatives

of the Group and its Divisions.

These division and delegation-level managers meet twice a year with

the Group EHS Department as an EHS Committee, to review issues

of interest to all Group companies and share feedback. In turn, these

managers organize meetings with their own network of correspondents

and invite the Group EHS Director to attend. As in the operationa

sphere, this matrix-based organization structure makes it possible to be

close to business operations and aware of specific nationa

circumstances, while keeping a consistency with the overall objectives

Once a year, on the “Health & Safety Diamonds” awards day, the entities

obtaining the best results in health and safety are recognized and share

their best practices with the rest of the Group. Conversely, those

companies that recorded poorer performance over the previous yea

are required to explain the reasons and set out their objectives for the

future. This event promotes a healthy rivalry for higher performance and

provides an opportunity for fruitful exchanges among all participants.

2. Investment in Research and Development

Saint-Gobain has two organizations that also contribute to raising the

Group’s environmental performance: 

- Saint-Gobain Conceptions Verrières, whose brief includes

improving the environmental performance of glass manufacturing

processes, in working on furnace design. In particular, two issues

are the subject of in-depth work: developing mathematical models

to reduce nitrous oxides (NOx) and the further improvement of

energy-saving and carbon-dioxide (CO2) reduction processes. 

ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH 

AND SAFETY (EHS)
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

- Research & Development teams in 16 research centers and

around 100 development units, which work on many

environment-related issues.

In 2002, research expenditure directly related to environmental

matters came to €11 million. This sum represents the first step in

the overall Research and Development investment. Each of the

projects funded in this fashion is then followed with one or more

development programs at division level, which requires at least three

times the amount invested initially. 

3. Specific tools

• Tools made available to industrial facilities 

The Group EHS Department has designed a certain number of tools

that it makes available to the various sites to help them implement

their own actions in line with Group policy. 

An EHS Reference Manual, which stems from the Group’s Principles

of Conduct and Action, explains in very tangible steps how each site’s

management should organize operations to ensure continuing

progress: defining an appropriate policy and setting concrete

objectives, informing and training employees and monitoring the

effectiveness of measures implemented. 

A second tool offered by the Group is a self-diagnostic test. It is made

up of a detailed list of questions and an evaluation grid to allow plant

managers to review their site’s situation against a variety of indicators.

It also includes regulatory and technical information, and suggested

corrective action. 

Lastly, the Group recommends five methods for assessing risks at

each workstation. As part of its reporting process, each company

is required to specify which method it uses. The initial aim of this

approach is to assess how risk analysis for each workstation is being

rolled out throughout the Group. 

• Audits and feedback

Health and safety audits are an indispensable tool to obtain a reliable

outside assessment. The Group’s size enables it to entrust the auditing

of its sites to outside teams that offer the necessary independence,

but are also familiar with Saint-Gobain’s EHS policy. These audits are

launched at the discretion of divisions and operating units, but also,

in some cases, following a decision from the parent company. The

Group has trained in-house approximately one hundred health and

safety auditors, who are provided with two very detailed audit guides,

one on health and the other on safety. Each auditor performs an

average of two to three audits per year in various Group companies. 

A guide to environmental auditing has also been produced and

auditors are in the process of being trained in this third area.

Beginning in 2003, it will be possible to carry out comprehensive

Environment, Health and Safety audits. 

Regular audits are needed to measure progress, offering detailed

feedback at division, delegation and Group level concerning each

site’s situation at any given time. Reporting takes place on a monthly

schedule for safety and annually for health and environmental

issues. Progress made in implementing the policy is thus easy to

measure, with an overview of results at Group level. 

4. Financial resources allocated to 

environmental protection

The Group’s capital expenditure on environmental protection has

surged 33% over the past two years, to €70 million in 2002. This

covers four types of investment:

- Protective equipment, e.g. soundproofing, dust abatement,

wastewater treatment plants, fireproof walls, waste storage areas; 

- Recycling, e.g. systems for recycling raw materials, production scrap,

water, calories, etc.

- Economizing, e.g. equipment for reducing consumption of raw

materials or energy, primary measures.

- R&D expenditure to optimize product life-cycles. 

Environment-related expenses have jumped 14% since 2000, reaching

€142 million in 2002. This includes the wages of all individuals working

in environmental protection, training costs, depreciation and

amortization, insurance cover and guarantees, provisions for

environmental risks and all other environment-related expenses.

Investment in Environmental Protection in 2002, by Sector

(in € millions)

Environmental Expenses in 2002, by Sector

(in € millions)
38

Counting both investment and expenses, Saint-Gobain spent a total

of €212 million in 2002 to improve its environmental performance

and prevent environmental risks. This represents a 20% increase

over two years. More than 60% of this amount was taken up by

the Glass Sector, owing to its size and its proactive policy of working

to reduce the environmental impact of glass furnaces. 

Charges to provisions for environmental risks amounted to

€4.8 million in 2002, with more than half attributable to the Glass

Sector which uses the greatest number of high-temperature

processes and includes seven of the Group sites that are regulated

under France’s “Seveso” legislation for storage of hazardous products

(see page 40). 

5. Communication and training

To drive continually improved EHS performance, Group companies

also seek to shape corporate culture for greater awareness and

responsibility. EHS managers are in charge of ensuring that all

employees concerned receive adequate training for the protection

of both their own health and safety and the environment. 

Thanks to the Group’s EHS intranet portal, the entire EHS

organization can exchange information and feedback, and any

employee interested in these matters also has access to this content.

In the event of serious accidents, the portal is used to roll out very

rapidly all relevant feedback and lessons learned, to prevent any

re-occurrence of dangerous situations. 

6. Integrating outside contractors

Group health and safety requirements also apply to outside

companies working at Saint-Gobain sites, and any accidents

involving the employees of those companies are included in the

reporting process. 

Saint-Gobain has also issued a specific booklet of health and safety

recommendations for the staff of outside companies, setting out the

responsibilities and obligations of the client company (the Group

subsidiaries) as well as the duties of the outside company.

A. ADDRESSING THE CAUSES

The Group improves its performance continually, by acting upon the

potential causes of accidents and occupational illnesses. Its focus

is increasingly on preventive action and subsidiaries are encouraged

to analyze the risks that their workers are exposed to and to respond

even to “near-accidents.” 

Priority efforts have been devoted to evaluating and controlling

risks at each workstation, to stricter enforcement of the

requirement to wear protective equipment and to greate

employee education and training. 

B. INDUSTRIAL HEALTH FOR EMPLOYEES: 

SPECIFICALLY-TAILORED ANSWERS

• Muscular-skeletal diseases

The vast majority of known occupational health problems come from

muscular-skeletal diseases or back pain due to the handling of heavy

weights as well as from the physical labor that is inherent to the

Group’s various businesses. Automation at Group plants has gradually

reduced the number of employees affected by such troubles. In

addition, in many divisions, the most physically demanding

workstations have been redesigned following ergonomics studies. 

• Dust and fibers 

In plants where there is a risk of inhaling dust or fibers such as silica

or wood, measurements are regularly taken to ensure that lega

standards are complied with. In the vast majority of cases, dust and

fiber levels are well below the maximum allowed by law. 

Within the Lapeyre group for example, wood dust levels were

significantly reduced to well below the legal maximum of 5 mg pe

cubic meter, by redesigning several sites. Now only some 15% of

French employees are exposed to dust levels that exceed the

recommended threshold of 1 mg/cubic meter. These workers are

required to wear individual protective equipment.

• Hazardous products

Lapeyre factories have set up an approval procedure for wood

finishing and preservation substances, which has resulted in the

replacement of some aggressive products with substitutes that are

less harmful to the people handling them. Several people at each

site have also received training in chemical risks. 

2. HEALTH AND SAFETY
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

Further, in Abrasives plants as an example, a study is in progress

to analyze all products entering each site and what becomes of them

during the production process. Following this evaluation, companies

will be able to see whether it is appropriate to replace some products

or to provide additional protective gear for operators. 

The other risks to which employees may be exposed vary

considerably from one division to another, which means that

industrial health initiatives need to focus on the specific conditions

of each site. 

C. SAFETY: CONTINUING PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT(22) 

The Group has made considerable progress since it developed a

comprehensive policy in this area, and 2002 was in line with this

trend. Over the past ten years, the incidence rate of injuries with lost

workdays (number of lost time injury/days, or LTI/Ds, for every million

hours worked) was divided by more than three, falling to 10.2 in

2002 from 32.5 in 1992, while the severity rate (SR, number of

person-days lost as a result of disabling injuries per thousand personhours of exposure) fell to 0.36 from 0.77. Although this is a

satisfactory trend overall, it reflects mixed results among the various

countries and businesses. In particular, Saint-Gobain deeply regrets

five accidents in 2002, that claimed the lives of four employees and

one outside contractor. Such accidents are immediately reported to

the Group EHS Department and are analyzed at length to ensure that

all sites can learn from the resulting feedback as quickly as possible. 

The leading causes of accidents remain the movements of persons

at Group sites as well as all risks related to handling operations –

impact injuries and incorrect maneuvers causing injuries to the

hands, head or feet. Specific programs have been implemented to

address these risks. 

The Asia-Pacific region, North America and Brazil have attained the

lowest incidence rates. Brazil’s performance, however, was marred

by two fatal accidents in 2002, and this has highlighted the need

to develop a whole range of education programs to promote safe

conduct. Among the most remarkable achievements of the year,

India and the Nordic countries (Scandinavia and the Baltic states)

improved their incidence rates very significantly in 2002: India’s

fell to 10.8 from 24 a year ago, and in the Nordic countries it was

10.2, down from 19.2 in 2001. These results are largely attributable

to the Group’s determination to drive improvements in these two

regions, backed by vigorous action by the delegations and the

companies themselves. The use of systematic audits in India clearly

helped focus maximum attention on safety issues. Poland also kept

up the progress it had started to achieve in 2001. 

France’s results, which had deteriorated markedly since 1998, picked

up in 2002. The incidence rate fell to 19.9 from 23.9 in 2001 and

the severity rate dropped to 0.94 from 1.06. The measures taken,

which included a series of systematic audits, will be maintained in

2003, with the aim of catching up with the Group average as quickly

as possible. 

Italy, conversely, was unable to follow up on the improvements it

had recorded in 2001, despite continuing, regular steps. Its incidence

rate rose substantially in 2002. The Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela

delegation, whose incidence rate worsened by two points, is seeking

to address the situation with targeted measures. 

Because of the different nature of its business, data for the Building

Materials Distribution division are recorded separately from those for

the rest of the Group. Its performance is poorer than the Group

average, with an incidence rate of 15.7 and a severity rate of 0.47.

This can be explained by the fact that the companies of this division

have entered the Group only recently (1996 for Point.P and Lapeyre,

2000 for Jewson and Graham and Raab Karcher) and have had less

time to implement Saint-Gobain safety policies. It must also be

added that the extensive handling operations in Building Materials

Distribution increase accident risks. The Flat Glass division also has

a higher incidence rate than the rest of the Group, mainly because

of the handling and glass-cutting operations at its subsidiaries

specialized in glazing for the building industry. Both of these divisions

have made improving safety an utmost priority. They are continuing

to implement carefully targeted measures, such as strict

enforcement of the wearing of safety equipment or better floor

markings for safer movements throughout facilities. 

Changes in Incidence Rate of Injuries with Lost Workdays

(LTI/D) and Severity Rate (SR), 1992-2002

Group Industrial Sites, Actual Structure

(22) All data concerning safety are based on approximately 85% of total Group staff.
40

In all, the progress achieved in 2002 represents nearly 600

accidents that have been avoided compared with 2001, and 3,000

fewer days of missed work due to accidents.

3. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

A. LIMITED AND CONTROLLED INDUSTRIAL 

AND ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS

1. Three levels of risk 

• Nine sites subject to specific regulations 

At December 31, 2002 eight sites were regulated under France’s

“Seveso” legislation implementing the European Directive of

December 9, 1996 on “controlling risks related to major accidents

involving hazardous substances.” The Directive calls for specific

legislation to regulate facilities deemed to involve particular industrial

risks. Three plants of the Insulation division store phenol and

formaldehyde, toxic materials used to manufacture the resin that

binds glass wool. One facility belonging to the Abrasives division

stores phenol-based resins used to glue abrasive grains to their base.

One site of the Insulation division and two of the Containers division

store the explosive gases LPG, oxygen and hydrogen. Lastly, one Flat

Glass factory stores arsenic oxide used in manufacturing

vitroceramics. These sites are kept under very close supervision, both

by the Group and by the appropriate local authorities. In the United

States the Lake Charles site is subject to similar legislation due to

its use of vinyl chloride to produce PVC pellets used as raw materials

for some of CertainTeed’s construction materials, e.g. sidings,

windows or garden furniture. This site is regulated by both the Risk

Management Program Rule (RMP Rule) and the Emergency

Planning and Community Right to know Act (EPCRA).

• Sites subject to permit requirements

Most of the Group’s industrial sites are subject to permit

requirements (administrative authorization in France) and must first

and foremost comply with the terms of their permit. These terms

include annual reporting requirements.

• Other sites 

Sales outlets of the Building Materials Distribution division as

well as smaller-sized industrial sites or plants that pose no

significant risks, mainly the processing subsidiaries of the Flat

Glass division and various sites of the Building Materials division,

do not require a permit and therefore only need to address local

community concerns. 

2. The Group’s requirements, from regulatory compliance

to certification 

The Group’s first demand of its sites is full compliance with al

applicable requirements set out in national legislation and loca

regulations. Beyond this, Saint-Gobain’s approach revolves around

a commitment to proactive work for continuous progress in

environmental protection. While it takes into account the particula

constraints faced by each site, the Group’s aim is for subsidiaries “to

raise the main relevant environmental performance standards of

their own sites to the level of particularly effective performance

standards found in the Group for comparable sites” (Principles of

Conduct and Action, see page 24).

Quality certification is increasingly a standard within the Group, as

there were 428 ISO 9000-certified companies at December 31

2002, not including the 1,250 Point.P sales outlets which have been

certified collectively. In addition, at December 31, 2002, 71 facilities

had obtained ISO 14000 environmental certification.

3. Preserving biodiversity

Some facilities conducted in-depth surveys of potential risks to thei

surrounding environment. These showed that the factories were

far below critical thresholds for all discharged pollutants. 

4. Environmental disputes(23)

In 2002 the Group did not have to pay any court-ordered damage

settlements related to environmental matters. 

B. CONSUMPTION OF RESOURCES(24)

1. Mainly mineral raw materials, and an increasing

proportion of recycled content 

Consumption of raw materials is closely related to the nature of each

business, therefore it has to be addressed differently for different

types of operations. Nevertheless, one of the unusual features of the

Group is that all divisions use, to varying degrees, silica sand as a raw

material. This sand comes partly from quarries owned by SaintGobain and partly from outside purchases. Saint-Gobain consumes

a total of approximately 8.5 million metric tons of silica sand per year

(23) In Europe. (24) Data concerning resource consumption have been estimated from data based

on approximately 80% of the defined scopes. 
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

The paragraphs that follow list only Group sectors that consume

a significant amount of non-renewable raw materials. 

• Glass Sector

In 2002, Saint-Gobain’s Glass Sector consumed 6.1 million metric

tons of silica sand, which makes up about 70% of the weight of

glass. Additives used in processing this crystalline silica were sodium

carbonate, of which the sector used 1.9 million metric tons in 2002,

as well as lime and dolomite (2.2 million metric tons). 

Group companies use an ever-increasing proportion of recycled

glass among raw material inputs entering their furnaces. Nearly 30%

of the glass they produce is melted from cullet, up from 26% in

1993. The Containers and Insulation divisions have taken this

recycling the furthest. In Containers, 36.7% of the glass produced,

i.e. more than one bottle out of three, comes from recycled glass.

In Insulation the proportion is as high as 37.8% worldwide and

45.5% in Europe.

There are, however, limits to how much recycled matter can be

included in glass production, because the quality requirements

of some products require new materials. This is the case for

extra-white glass used to make glass flasks for perfumes and

medicines. In Reinforcements the use of recycled glass also faces

technical challenges. 

• High-Performance Materials 

The High-Performance Materials Sector includes a large number of

companies working in narrow niche markets. Each company

consumes its own mix of specific raw materials, in amounts that

are not truly material. 

• Housing Products Sector

- Pipe

The Pipe Division uses two types of melting processes. In the first,

known as “primary smelting”, cast iron is obtained in blast furnaces,

from iron ore and mineral fluxes. In the second process, known as

“secondary smelting”, the cast iron is produced from scrap metal and

recovered cast iron, melted in cupola furnaces, electric arc furnaces

or fuel-heated furnaces. The breakdown among these two types

of production depends on the types of markets served, the

requirements of specific products, scheduling, market prices of

primary and secondary raw materials, etc. In 2002, as in 2000,

primary smelting accounted for a greater share of production than

did the use of recycled materials, whereas in 1999 and 2001 the

reverse was true. In 2002 the Division consumed 1.17 million metric

tons of ores and mineral materials, and nearly 700,000 metric tons

of recycled materials.

- Building Materials Distribution

Jewson and International Timber in the United Kingdom, as well

as Lapeyre in France, are heavy users of wood, and the Division as

a whole purchases over 1.5 million cubic meters per year. 

In Great Britain, Saint-Gobain Building Distribution UK is a co-founder

of the Forests Forever NGO and a member of WWF1995+. It has

also signed the charter of the Timber Trade Federation, undertaking

to monitor its supply sources and give preference to purchases of

wood from certified forests when this is possible, and if it is not, to

choose suppliers that are committed to a policy of environmental

progress. 

Several of Lapeyre’s industrial carpentry factories use wood as a raw

material. Among the types of wood used, 70% are pines or

temperate-climate deciduous trees from countries where forests are

managed, and the remaining 30% are tropical woods. The Lapeyre

group is committed to protecting forests. It has undertaken to stop

using, after 2005, any wood other than from managed or certified

forests, i.e. forests for which sustainable conservation is guaranteed.

In this spirit, the Lapeyre group in Brazil has joined a grouping of

wood buyers certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, set up by

Friends of the Earth. 

2. Water

Practically none of the Group’s manufacturing processes use water

as a raw material. However, it is used in large volumes for cooling

high-temperature processes. In most cases, this cooling water is

recycled internally, which helps limit actual consumption

considerably. 

Consumption of Raw Materials by the Glass Sector in 2002

(millions of metric tons)
42

In 2002, the Glass Sector used 30.2 million cubic meters of water,

in processes that consume from 0.99 to 16.10 cubic meters of water

per metric ton of glass produced. The upper end of that range is

attributable to the Reinforcements Division’s particular situation. In

Reinforcements, the bonding process demands heavy water inputs,

as chemicals dissolved in water need to be deposited on glass fibers

to give them all the required properties. The Pipe Division, for its

cooling processes, consumes 22.9 cubic meters of water per metric

ton produced, making a total of 33 million cubic meters in 2002.

The High-Performance Materials Sector consumes 11.4 million cubic

meters of water per year.

Liquid effluent to be discharged is generally treated prior to being reinjected into the natural or municipal network from which it came.

3. Energy

The following paragraphs only deal with Group operations that

consume significant amounts of energy. 

To melt glass or cast iron, furnaces have to reach high temperatures,

from 1,500 to over 1,600° C (2,700°F to over 2,900°F). 

The Glass Sector’s energy consumption in 2002 amounted to

33,200 Gigawatts/hour (GWh), of which two-thirds was in Europe,

mainly in the form of fuel oil and natural gas. Electricity serves as

the main energy source for 50% of the furnaces of the Insulation

Division, and serves as a backup power source for the other divisions. 

Within the Housing Products Sector, terracotta operations used

1,412 Gwh during the year, and the Pipe Division required 5,380

GWh. The main energy sources for these two divisions are coal coke

(in blast furnaces and cupola furnaces), but also electricity. 

Two businesses account for the bulk of energy consumption within

the High-Performance Materials Sector: silicon carbide is melted at

more than 1,500°C, and the manufacturing of fused-cast refractories

takes place in furnaces where temperatures exceed 2,000°C. For the

sector as a whole, energy consumption amounted to 3,518 Gwh

in 2002. 

The Group is pursuing energy savings through a variety of methods: 

- Increasingly efficient energy-recovery systems are being gradually

installed on furnaces. The energy content of gases and fumes is

recovered and used to pre-heat furnaces or combustion air in

burners, or simply for plant heating;

- Where possible, furnace design is optimized to save energy and

boost yields. As an example, the yield of smelting equipment in the

Pipe Division was considerably improved over the past ten years

thanks to oxygen injection through tuyeres;

- Melting cullet does not require the same high-temperature

chemical reactions as standard vitrification, therefore less energy is

required to make glass from recycled materials.

- Lastly, the gradual roll-out of oxygen furnaces, which already make

up 30% of Reinforcement Division furnaces, have in many cases

boosted yields. 

The search for energy savings will continue in the years to come

with further impetus from the Group’s commitment to reduce its

CO2 emissions (see below).

C. SOIL USE CONDITIONS

1. Storage

Underground storage tanks for potentially hazardous products are

unfortunate legacies from the past. They are gradually being replaced

by above-ground storage tanks that offer better environmenta

guarantees, in particular thanks to easy visual controls.

2. Quarries

The Group manages directly several types of quarries, for the most

part silica sand quarries, but also limestone, dolomite, phonolite

(from which alumina is obtained), rhyolite for pellets used to make

CertainTeed’s roof shingles and clay for Terreal’s terracotta products

These quarries are located in France, Spain, Italy, the United States

and Brazil.

In all these countries, extracting operations are closely overseen by

regulatory authorities. The opening of any new quarry is subject to

a permit, which is granted only after an impact study on local fauna

and flora. Subsequently, the extraction process is closely supervised

Lastly, at the end of operational use, sites are redesigned, sometimes

to return them to their previous condition and in any event with a

view to matching best practices. The earth that was removed to

reach the material of interest, and set aside, is then re-used to cove

water-free surfaces of the land, which are reforested in partnership

with forestry authorities. Clay quarries are often converted into

outdoor activity centers. 
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

D. EMISSIONS(25)

The Group is continuing to pursue efforts to recycle process water

and is intent on reducing its atmospheric emissions of dust and

gases, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfure oxides (SOx) and

nitrous oxides (NOx).

1. Greenhouse gases

The Group as a whole emitted approximately 10.5 million metric

tons of CO2 in 2002, of which 75% came from the Glass Sector and

the Pipe Division. 

The businesses of the Glass Sector have for several years been

taking steps to reduce their CO2 emissions, and now the Group has

made a commitment in line with the timetable set by the Kyoto

protocol, to reduce its CO2 emissions per ton of manufactured

product by more than 15%, by 2010, against a 1990 baseline. To

bolster this commitment, in December 2002 Saint-Gobain joined

the French organization AERES, the Association of Companies for

Reducing the Greenhouse Effect. Each of the companies within

this grouping must set quantitative targets for reductions in its

greenhouse gas emissions and may incur sanctions if it does not

meet its commitments. This initiative in France is intended to serve

as an example for the rest of the Group. 

2. Emission of substances causing acid rain 

Saint-Gobain factories emit two types of substances that cause

environmental acidification, sulfur oxides (SOx) and nitrous oxides

(NOx). Measures taken to limit NOx emissions are described below

as part of the paragraph on limiting emissions of nitrification-causing

substances. 

Sulfur oxides are produced as a result of burning fuel oil and coke.

The sources of such emissions are mostly the Pipe, Flat Glass and

Containers divisions. The Glass Sector emitted a total of 27,000

metric tons of SOx in 2002, through a variety of production

processes that discharged from 0.77 kg to 3.21 kg of SO2 per metric

ton of glass produced. 

The main methods for reducing SOx discharges are energy savings

and the use of higher-quality fuel oil or slack coal, with lower sulfur

content. 

In the Pipe Division, in addition to the approach described above

(the use of high-sulfur coal was discontinued in Belleville, France),

the Pont-à-Mousson site replaced coke-oven gases with natural gas. 

The Division consequently was able to shrink its SOx emissions to

0.98kg per metric ton in 2002, down from 1.29kg in 2001 and 1.66kg

in 1999. 

Where possible, the Glass businesses seek to substitute fuel oil with

natural gas and, if this is not possible, they use fuel oil with lower sulfur

content. They are also gradually putting in place desulfuring systems

using limestone, at the end of the production process. Waste products

captured in filters can then be recycled in the furnace. 

3. Emission of substances causing nitrification 

Nitrous oxides (NOx) are produced through high-temperature

oxidation of combustion air. They too are by-products of Glass and

Pipe operations. 

The Group decided over ten years ago to take steps to fight these

emissions, by focusing on primary measures that eliminate or at least

limit the generation of these NOx gases. As an example, the PHENIX

process applied in the Flat Glass Division mainly involves optimizing

combustion conditions within furnaces. Saint-Gobain is today one

of the world’s best performing industrial groups for the reduction

of nitrous oxides through primary measures. 

Oxygen furnaces provide another interesting alternative since by

displacing nitrogen in combustion air, they cause far less NOx

emission. In Reinforcements, nearly 30% of furnaces are now

oxygen furnaces, but the economics of this technology make it

difficult to apply to Flat Glass or Containers. 

4. Substances causing photo-chemical pollution

The Group emits two types of substances that cause photo-chemical

pollution: nitrous oxides (see above) and, to a lesser degree, volatile

organic compounds (VOCs), which are created in certain product

processing and finishing phases of specific operations. 

VOCs are by-products of the various organic substances used for

bonding of fibers and glass wool and sizing abrasives (phenol and

formaldehyde), for production of silicon carbide (polycyclic aromatic

hydrocarbons), for asphalt roof shingles (formaldehyde), as solvents

used in coatings for cast-iron pipes, or in various products for wood

protection and finishing at Lapeyre. 

In the Insulation Division, these emissions have been monitored for

about fifteen years. By substituting certain types of glues, significant

strides have been made. 

(25) Data concerning emissions have been estimated from figures based 

on approximately 80% of the defined scopes. 
44

The Abrasives Division has launched a comprehensive inventory

of all inputs in its production processes, analyzing the behavior of

their components at the various stages. One of the key aims of this

is to identify VOC emissions more precisely, as a first step toward

being able to reduce them 

In the Pipe Division, the following initiatives have been implemented

recently to reduce VOCs: 

- Replacing existing coatings with solvent-free products;

- Capturing emissions and treating them through thermal oxidation. 

Such efforts will be carried out throughout the Group in coming

years, drawing upon the many experiences gained in this field. 

5. Dust emissions

The Group is also involved in an active dust-abatement drive.

Particularly for its Glass operations, the Group has decided to use

as a reference the new French standard (a draft administrative

decree for which France’s high council of regulated sites issued a

favorable ruling on December 18, 2002) and to adapt it where

possible to the constraints faced by other Saint-Gobain facilities

throughout the world. 

6. Heavy metals and other substances 

requiring special monitoring

Other hazardous substances emitted by the Group include heavy

metals from impurities in raw materials. Although the quantities

involved are small, monitoring is necessary and is being extended

to all sites. Increasingly, dust particles contained in filters, which often

contain traces of toxic metals, are recycled in furnaces or through

appropriate channels. Only final waste that cannot be recycled is

landfilled. 

E. MANAGEMENT OF PRODUCTION WASTE

1. Small amounts of hazardous wastes 

disposed of through approved channels

Waste resulting from the combustion and melting of glass, such as

sulfates and heavy metals, is collected at the bottom of regenerators

or in furnace flues, as well as in dust filters. The amounts involved

are small, and they are disposed of by specialized professionals that

also handle paints, solvents or used motor oils. 

2. Non-hazardous products are increasingly 

recycled or reused

By-products and production scrap can to a large degree be returned

into the manufacturing cycle fairly easily, since glass, cast iron or clay

are recyclable materials. 

Residues which are not recycled in-house can be reused in various

ways outside the Group. Glass wool waste can be added to bricks

to strengthen their mechanical properties, used sand serves in

cement kilns, slag from blast furnaces or cupola furnaces is used

as public works filler material, PVC waste can be included in lowerquality plastics, glass threads can reinforce lesser-grade ceramics

or thermoplastics. 

To reduce costs, the Group is planning to enter into a framework

agreement with a waste management specialist to rationalize its

handling of this issue in France and Germany and, as much as

possible, minimize waste generation at source. If this cooperation

proves effective, it will be rolled out to the other countries. 

Recycling and Disposal of Solid Waste in France (617 thousand metric tons)

Landfill classification based on hazardousness of waste: (1: high, 2: average /

household waste, 3: low)
In the Spring of 2002, the U.S. implemented a program for the

recycling of production scrap, whether at the site where it was

produced, in another Group subsidiary located nearby, or through

an outside company. This project has a dual aim of better economic

efficiency, through lower landfilling costs and recycled or reused

by-products, and higher environmental performance. Various

working groups have been set up and they have identified 17 types

of waste that could be better managed. Extending this approach

to the country as a whole will promote a maximum number of

synergies among the divisions present in the U.S., and provide

lessons for the rest of the global Group. 

3. Point.P’s waste collection and recycling centers, 

an environmental service 

The 130 Point.P outlets have been equipped with waste collection

centers that can receive all types of waste, from inert materials to

packaging, to hazardous and non-hazardous commercial waste. This

service helps small building-industry businesses solve the often

difficult problem posed by the disposal of waste from construction

or renovation sites. Its 2002 revenues amounted to €3.5 million.

F. NOISE AND ODOR POLLUTION

Some noisy manufacturing processes require soundproofing to be

installed on the production line and protective equipment to be worn

by operators. However, disturbances for neighbors of Group facilities

in terms of noise or odors are very limited. 

G. REMEDIATION OF DECOMMISSIONED SITES

Decommissioned factories that once contained asbestos have been

decontaminated, and two of them have been levelled. In France,

administrative rulings governing future use of such sites have been

issued by local authorities or are being prepared, to ensure that

interested parties are duly informed of the past history of these

facilities and to define technical constraints for the future use of

the grounds. 

SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 
46

POLLUTION CONTROL AND ABATEMENT

Application PRODUCT / SERVICE DIVISION

Emissions control Particle filters for road vehicles Ceramics & Plastics

Synflex tubing for fuel and gas hoses Ceramics & Plastics

Wastewater management Piping, pumps, valves and filters Pipe

for water treatment Building Materials (Stradal)

and purification systems Insulation / Reinforcements

Effluent filters Ceramics & Plastics

Catalysts

Solid waste management Silicon carbide components for incinerators Ceramics & Plastics

Soil and surface water remediation Sludge separators Building Materials (Stradal)

Rainwater drainage systems Pipe / Reinforcements / Building Materials

Noise and vibration abatement Acoustic glass for cars and buildings Flat Glass

Isover mineral wools (construction + Insulation

public works + auto industry) 

Acoustic windows Distribution (Lapeyre) + Flat Glass

Sound insulation system for tile cladding Building Materials

Analysis and monitoring equipment Water, chemical (Norwell) and gas (Synflex) Ceramics & Plastics

testing equipment (Fluid Systems)

Ionizing radiation meters Ceramics & Plastics

Cast-iron fiber concrete reinforcements Pipe

for hazardous-waste containers

Emissions control Compression of insulation fibers Insulation

Wastewater management Design and management Pipe

of water treatment systems

Solid waste management Recycling centers at building materials Building Materials Distribution

distribution outlets Building Materials

Applications for recycled glass Glass divisions

Noise abatement Two software solutions: “Clara” and “Bastian” Flat Glass and Insulation

Acoustic tests for glass windows Centre de Développement Industriel

ENERGY-EFFICIENCY PRODUCTS

PRODUCT / SYSTEM DIVISION

Thermal insulation materials (rock wool) and foams Insulation / Reinforcements

Insulating glass (low radiation and sun control) Flat Glass

Daylighting Flat Glass

Ceramics & Plastics (Chemfab)

External cladding panels Building Materials

Insulation

Reinforcements

Sealing products for construction Building Materials

Refractories for heat exchangers Ceramics & Plastics

Window frames and insulating doors Distribution (Lapeyre)

Plastic and fiber composites for cars Reinforcements / Insulation

Glass-plastic glazing for cars Flat Glass

Tinted and sun control glass for cars Flat Glass

Thermal components and breaks for the building industry Ceramics & Plastics

Vitroceramic cooktops Flat Glass

Lightweight bottles Containers

Norglide (lubricant) Ceramics & Plastics

Zero-halogen fire-retardant thermoplastics (chlorine, fluorine) Ceramics & Plastics

Pump dispensers for fluids Containers (Calmar)

Damp-proofing mortars (renovation of masonry) Building Materials (Weber)

FACILITIES USING RENEWABLE ENERGY

PRODUCT / SYSTEM DIVISION

Solar energy:

Mirrors and photovoltaic modules for solar power stations Flat Glass

Photovoltaic tiles Building Materials

Reinforcement of blades for wind turbines Reinforcements

4. ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

III - 2002 MANAGEMENT REPORT

ECONOMIC AND MARKET CONDITIONS

A SUBDUED GLOBAL RECOVERY...

THAT HAS NOT YET REACHED EUROPE 

The recovery forecast for 2002 was restrained, hampered by geopolitical

uncertainties and turbulent financial markets across the globe.

The United States experienced mixed fortunes. On the one hand,

household purchasing power was buoyed by the government’s

highly expansionist budgetary policy and record low interest rates,

which stood at 1.25% as of December 31, 2002. Consumer

spending increased, and households refinanced their home loans

in a bid to rebuild wealth eroded by the plummeting equity markets.

On the other hand, companies remained in poor financial health,

dragged down by debt and low operating margins. Capital

expenditure continued to dwindle, although it showed some signs

of picking up towards the end of the year. Over full-year 2002, GDP

grew 2.4% versus 0.3% in 2001.

In Europe, the weak signs of recovery that emerged in the first half

of the year following inventory rebuilding did not firm up in the

second half. As in the United States, the key economic driver was

consumer spending, but industrial output stagnated, capital

expenditure contracted, and employment was flat. During the year

the euro rose sharply against the US dollar. 

In the euro-zone, Germany once again turned in a weak

performance. Jobless rates rose and strict budgetary policy did not

encourage consumers to loosen their purse strings. Household

spending therefore remained low, although edged up at the end

of the year. Manufacturing was bolstered for a while by a rebound

in foreign demand, but ebbed again, in tandem with a further

contraction in capital expenditure. The year nevertheless ended on

a slightly more positive tone, paving the way for brighter prospects

in 2003. In addition, the downturn in the construction industry

seems to be coming to a halt, judging by the recent increase in

building permits. 

In France, economic recovery was sparked in early 2002 by

inventory rebuilding and a turnaround in exports, but slowed in the

third quarter. Once again, the growth engine was private

consumption, boosted by cuts in personal income taxes, relatively

stable employment levels and moderate inflation. Capital outlay

fell across the board, however, with expenditure on industrial

equipment shrinking by 11%, but according to manufacturers should

rally by an estimated 9% in 2003. 

Italy bordered on stagflation, with GDP inching up by a restrained

0.4% over the year. Consumer spending was particularly lackluster,

growing by a tempered 0.4%, as inflation curbed purchasing power

and employment continued to contract. Capital expenditure flagged

until the third quarter, when it picked up on the back of tax breaks

provided for in the Tremonti bis Act.

Spain was once again a star player in the euro-zone, despite the

slowdown in consumer spending towards the end of the year.

The UK economy proved particularly resilient, with demand

propelled by high consumer and public spending. Households dug

into savings and took out huge home loans, pushing up real-estate

prices by an average 30% year-on-year and creating a bubble that

may well burst. On the supply side, strong performance by the

service industry offset a further falloff in manufacturing, which was

hurt by a decline in exports engendered by the strong pound. 
48

Japan remained mired in recession in 2002, marked by internal

imbalances. The rebound in exports in early 2002 petered out during

the year. Asset prices continued to decline and the third-quarter jump in

consumer spending did not offset the sharp contraction in capital

expenditure.

Asia’s emerging economies fared extremely well, although dipped

slightly in the second half following a downswing in exports. China was

a premier player in the region, turning in strong growth that helped to

boost intra-Asian trade.

In Latin America, Brazil remained shaky. The slide – albeit controlled

– of the real weighed on public debt. Meanwhile, Argentina remained

deeply entrenched in recession and the oil crisis in Venezuela intensified.

Economies in Eastern Europe continued to hold firm, despite heavy

summer floods that swept through the Czech Republic and Hungary.

Poland slowly returned to the growth track, having troughed in the first

quarter. Overall, domestic demand across Eastern Europe remained

healthy, although this in turn weakened the region’s trade balance.

THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

The negative trend observed in late 2001 in the construction industry

continued throughout 2002 in the bulk of euro-zone countries. By the

end of the third quarter, the construction index had contracted 2.1%

year-on-year.

In France, the downswing was not significant. Activity in the homebuilding sector held up well, with 303,000 residential construction starts,

spurring a 0.6% rise compared with 2001. The increase was spread

evenly between apartment blocks and individual homes.

Non-residential construction was stymied by a falloff in the office property

market, which slipped back to the levels of 2000. Industrial and retail

construction plunged at the beginning of the year, but then falteringly

leveled off as from spring.

The construction market in Germany continued to soften, but tota

residential building permits rallied towards the end of the second half

raising hopes that the falloff might slow despite the budget cuts planned

for the industry in 2003.

Mortgage rates in the United States turned negative in real terms

bolstering home-loan refinancing and fueling a 3.4% increase in home

purchases. This in turn propelled housing starts to a record high. The

volume of spending on public administration buildings grew 4.7%, bu

the corporate construction market slumped 16.7%, weakened by

companies’ troubled finances. 

THE AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR

Across Europe, sales of new cars held firm, down by a restrained 2.9%

to 14.4 million vehicles sold versus a 0.6% rise in 2001.

In Germany – the Sector’s main market in Europe – sales of new

vehicles were down for the third straight year, declining 2.6%.

In France, new vehicle registrations remained on an excellent trend, with

2,145,000 new vehicles registered, even though this represented a

4.5% decrease on 2001 when sales hit a decade high.

Italy was impacted by Fiat’s trials and tribulations, and had to roll ou

incentive programs. This kept sales of new cars on an even kee

throughout the second half, and the market ended the year down 6.2%

New vehicle registrations declined by a subdued 3.8% in the United

States, with zero interest rates helping to keep the market steady.

THE ELECTRONICS SECTOR

Trading conditions in the international semiconductors market remained

weak in 2002. Sales climbed 1.3%, but this did not offset the 32%

plunge experienced in 2001. Prices remained extremely low.

The Asia-Pacific region once again turned in a solid performance

accounting for 37.5% of worldwide sales.
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

Saint-Gobain’s solid fundamentals and robust business model were

successfully put to the test in 2002. Against one of the toughest

economic backdrops in many years, the Group met its target of

achieving a similar level of net income excluding capital gains as

in 2001, which was the Group’s highest year on record. Performance

was particularly robust in the second half of 2002, up significantly

both on the first half and on the comparable prior year period, when

performance was marred by the first signs of a slowdown. 

Operating results were strong in 2002. Like-for-like sales climbed

1.1%, operating income increased 0.2%, and operating margin was

8.5%, or 10.4% excluding Distribution activities. Net income

advanced 5.7%, not including capital gains and the charge for

asbestos-related litigation, which is discussed further on in this report.

Based on the number of shares outstanding at December 31, 2002,

earnings per share excluding capital gains dipped by a restrained

0.6% to €3.08. 

Consolidated net income retreated 8.3% to €1,040 million, due

to capital gains decreasing significantly to €3 million from

€84 million the previous year. Consolidated earnings per share

amounted to €3.05.

These sound results also reflect Saint-Gobain’s stronger capital

base. Over the year, the Group sharply reduced net debt and interest

expense while substantially increasing free cash flow (cash flow from

operations less capital expenditure), which came in at

€1,242 million following the record high of €1,303 million in 2001.

The Group’s performance was achieved in harsh trading conditions.

In addition to unfavorable exchange rates – notably for the Brazilian

real and the U.S. dollar – several areas that are crucial to SaintGobain’s business continued to weaken. For instance, capital

spending dropped even further, particularly in electronics, which hurt

Ceramics, Plastics, Abrasives and, albeit to a lesser extent,

Reinforcements. This was exacerbated by the ongoing decline in the

German construction market, which slipped 7% on the heels of an

11% falloff in 2001. 

Rising to the challenge of these gloomy business conditions, SaintGobain met its price-strengthening objective, lifting sales prices by

an average 1.1% throughout the year. The Flat Glass Sector stayed

the course, Building Materials performed well, as did Containers, and

Building Materials Distribution continued to make headway. Other

performance factors, in addition to sharply lower net debt and

interest expense, included tight control over capital spending and

working capital. Pre-tax income was nevertheless trimmed by a

€104 million exceptional charge related to asbestos litigation.

The Group made no major acquisitions in 2002, preferring to

continue supplementing growth with bolt-on acquisitions. These

mainly concerned Distribution operations. Several non-core

businesses were sold, primarily in the Ceramics and Abrasives

divisions.

FIRM RESULTS IN 2002, IN LINE WITH TARGETS

(*) of which Essilor €39 million.

(**) of which Essilor €11 million.

2002 2001 2000 2000

pro forma Essilor

(In € millions) by equity method

Net sales 30,274 30,390 27,837 28,815

Operating income 2,582 2,681 2,563 2,693

Income before profit on sales of non-current assets and taxes 1,848 1,988 1,836 1,947

Net income before minority interests 1,074 1,174 1,594 1,642

Net income 1,040 1,134 1,517 (*) 1,517

Cash flow from operations 2,673 2,733 2,530 (**) 2,643

Cash flow excluding capital gains 2,688 2,765 2,634 (**) 2,747

Capital expenditure 1,431 1,430 1,638 1,722
50

On an actual structure basis, Group sales inched back 0.4%. On a

like-for-like basis, however, they climbed 1.1% versus 1.6% growth

in 2001. The increase was primarily ascribable to price increases,

which averaged an across-the-board 1.1%, combined with a 0.1%

rise in sales volumes, driven by improved trends in the fourth

quarter. Nevertheless, the 2.9% negative currency translation effect

arising on the Group’s trading currencies that lost ground against the

euro pushed down euro-converted sales by 1.8%.

Among the sectors, Glass recorded the highest like-for-like increase,

posting a 2.8% gain. The rise was due to higher sales volumes across

all of the Sector’s divisions. By contrast, sales in the High-Performance

Materials Sector slowed significantly during the first half, and continued

to decrease in the second half, albeit more moderately. Housing

Products registered 1.3% growth, slightly outpacing the Group’s

average growth rate over the year. The rise was fueled by two factors.

First, a good showing from the Building Materials Division in the United

States, driven by the extremely healthy U.S. construction market; and

second, the expansion of the Building Materials Distribution Division,

achieved through organic growth and bolt-on acquisitions.

The sales trends in North America and Europe – the Group’s major

trade areas – moved in inverse directions compared with 2001. In

North America, sales volumes swung up 1.5% in 2002, having

suffered a 4.8% decline the previous year in the wake of the

manufacturing slowdown at the beginning of the summer and the

events of September 11. European sales volumes, on the other hand,

dipped 1.3% over the full year, buffeted by economic headwinds,

compared with a marginal contraction in 2001. The overall breakdown

in sales was as follows: France 30%; other European countries 41.5%;

North America 21.5% and 7% for the rest of the world.

Operating income decreased 3.7% on an actual structure basis

but increased 0.2% like-for-like, reflecting the Group’s ability to hold

firm. Operating margin inched down to 8.5% from 8.8%, primarily

on account of the lower sales figure reported by the HighPerformance Materials Sector. Profitability in the Glass Sector was

slightly eroded by lower sales prices in the Flat Glass and InsulationReinforcements Division. At the same time, operating income for the

High-Performance Materials Sector was reduced by 37.8%, due to

severe trading difficulties. Group operating margin improved

somewhat in the second half, coming in at 8.6%, on a par with the

comparable prior year period. The figure was even higher excluding

Distribution operations, reaching 10.4% against 10.2%. Operating

margin for the Building Materials Distribution Division climbed from

4.5% to 4.9% after neutralizing the one-off transfer of the Pipe

Distribution business.

In North America, profitability rose, with operating margin increasing

to 8.6% from 8.1%. Latin America and Asia also improved on prior

year levels. In Europe, margins increased in the United Kingdom and

Spain, but were eroded in France and, to a greater extent, in othe

European countries, especially Germany.

The Group’s overall resilience with regard to operating income was

rooted in the twin drivers of successful endeavors to boost sales

volumes and prices, and continuous efforts to contain costs. The

Group’s headcount was reduced by 1.5%. This, combined with

slightly higher sales volumes, generated a 2.7% increase in

productivity compared with the 1.8% rise recorded for the yea

ended December 31, 2001.

Other contributors to the Group’s results include a 16.4% reduction

in net interest expense and other financial charges, significantly

improving interest cover. Net debt was scaled back for the third yea

in a row, down 10% year-on-year to €7 billion. The Group’s gearing

ratio also improved, pruned to 59% from 61% despite currency

effects negatively impacting the capital base.

The debt paydown is attributable to two reasons. First, ongoing

efforts to generate high free cash flow. Cash flow from operations

eased back 2% to€2,673 million, including tax on capital gains

from asset disposals and the €104 million pre-tax charge recorded

for asbestos-related litigation. At €1,431 million, or 4.7% of sales

capital expenditure was unchanged from 2001. Free cash flow

stood at €1,242 million. The second explanatory factor is the

significant headway made in containing working capital. 

Investments in securities declined to €789 million from

€847 million in 2001. This figure included €350 million for the

purchase of minority interests in Lapeyre, €166 million for bolt-on

acquisitions in the Building Materials Distribution and Ceramics &

Plastics divisions, and €159 million for share buybacks.

Overall, the Group’s financial results in 2002 reflect how Saint

Gobain strengthened its capital base while holding firm agains

the dismal economic climate. This performance was achieved

by upholding sales volumes, further raising sales prices

continuing to deliver productivity gains and keeping a tight contro

over working capital. As a result, the Group was able to meet its ne

earnings per share target while pursuing its cost-cutting program and

despite a €104 million pre-tax charge booked to cover asbestos

related litigation.
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

Management forecasts are based on a moderate growth scenario

for 2003. This factors in continued estimated growth in emerging

economies – especially Brazil – and a gradual recovery in the North

American market, provided consumption levels remain high and

capital expenditure picks up in the second half. However, new

construction starts may well slow in North America in the latter six

months of the year. 

The European outlook is similar to 2002, with a slight falloff in the

construction industry. France is expected to be particularly hard hit,

although this should be somewhat offset by the renovation market,

which will likely continue to expand – albeit at a more subdued pace

than previously. The German construction market will probably

experience another decline, but on a lesser scale than in 2002.

The High-Performance Materials Sector should start to recover, but

most likely not before the second half, and more ground should

be gained in the Building Materials Distribution and Pipe divisions.

Emerging markets will also be an ongoing focus of expansion for the

Group, as these economies burgeon. 

Going forward, the Group will continue to roll out the key strategies

of its business model. Assuming that the international economy

does not deteriorate, and that the asbestos-related charge stays

more or less on a par with 2002, the Group is forecasting a modest

increase in operating income and net income excluding gains on

asset sales. Cash flow is expected to remain high, and continuous

efforts will be made to scale back debt and interest expense.

2003 FINANCIAL CALENDAR

OUTLOOK FOR 2003

Release of first-quarter 2003 sales April 24, 2003

Annual General Meeting June 5, 2003

First-half 2003 results announcement July 24, 2003

Release of sales figures for 

the first nine months of 2003 October 28, 2003
52

The Glass Sector posted the strongest like-for-like growth within the

Group in 2002, driven by high sales volumes across the board.

Profitability eased back slightly however, due to a contraction in sales

prices in the Flat Glass and Insulation/Reinforcements divisions

which was not offset by the significant increase in earnings for

Containers.

FLAT GLASS

KEY CONSOLIDATED DATA

Flat Glass sales dipped 1.2% on 2001. The decrease was primarily

attributable to a 3% negative exchange-rate effect following the

sharp fall in value of the Brazilian real and Argentine peso, combined

with a slight rise in the euro against the Korean won, Indian rupee,

Mexican peso, U.S. dollar, pound sterling and the zloty. 

There were no significant changes in the Division’s structure, barring

several minor acquisitions in the United Kingdom and the fireproof

glass segment.

The European construction market experienced dismal trading

conditions during the year, growing by a mere 1% overall, and down

by 4% in Germany. In addition, competitors of Saint Gobain Glass

brought new float plants on stream in 2002, pushing down sales

prices. The Division strove to keep prices firm, even at the cost o

giving up market share, and was able to partly offset the negative

impact of competitive price pressure by enhancing its product offer

This engendered a shift in the product mix, marked by a year-on

year contraction in Saint-Gobain’s float glass sales as a percentage

of total sales, and an increase in layered glass sales.

The situation was somewhat different outside Europe, particularly in

Brazil and Argentina, where the Group actively worked towards

strengthening prices. This helped to temper the negative currency

effect, while an increase in exports mitigated the decline in sales

volumes. Sales surged in Mexico and South Korea, but prices were

eroded by local competition in Mexico and Chinese imports in South

Korea. 

For Vitrages de Saint-Gobain, 2002 was a year of declining sales

volumes and prices, although the picture was mixed across

geographic areas. Whereas sales contracted sharply in Poland

Germany and Italy, and, to a lesser extent, in the Benelux countries

Switzerland and France, they advanced significantly in the United

Kingdom, Spain and Portugal, and even more so in the Nordic

countries and Central Europe. 

In the automotive segment, Sekurit kept sales volumes steady

despite a 2% decrease in European automobile production. This

was achieved as a result of the trend to increase the glazed surface

per vehicle and significant growth in roof sales. The segment’s overal

rise in sales also stemmed from product-range extensions –

Internal sales are deducted from sales data by Sector and by Division.

(In € millions) 2002 2001 2000

Net sales 11,818 11,813 11,317

Operating income 1,325 1,357 1,228

Cash flow from operations 1,614 1,560 1,421

Capital expenditure 869 827 961

Contribution to the Group 2002 2001 2000

% of net sales 15% 15% 14%

% of operating income 19% 21% 16%

% of cash flow from operations 23% 22% 19%

(In € millions) 2002 2001 2000

Net sales 4,423 4,478 4,167

Operating income 495 551 430

Cash flow from operations 622 613 489

Capital expenditure 377 361 425

GLASS SECTOR

New technology used to adjust the color of automobile glass.
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

especially highly sophisticated products such as layered glass

windshields, and laminated glass roofs and side windows. At the

same time, these new offerings helped to spur price increases.

Outside Europe, higher sales prices and volumes partially offset

negative exchange-rate effects in Brazil. Sales remained stable in

Mexico and North America, and soared in South Korea as relations

were tightened with one of the country’s most active automobile

manufacturers.

Sales in the Transport business line were driven down by the crisis

in the aeronautics industry and falling orders from the rail sector.

However, sales contributed by Autover, specialized in replacement

glazing, were lifted by enhanced inventory management. 

Specialty glass posted a rise in sales, primarily stemming from the

following factors: an increase in Eurokera sales – especially in the

United States – powered by the company’s successful white ceramic

glass offering; market share gains recorded by Euroveder in home

appliances; continued expansion in fireproof product sales by

Vetrotech; and strong growth in South Korea’s insulation market,

served by Hankuk Haniso. 

Against this backdrop of mixed trends across business lines,

operating income for the Flat Glass Division slipped back by €56

million in 2002, following a strong rise in 2001. Explanatory factors,

other than those discussed above, include lower sales volumes and

prices for Saint-Gobain Glass Europe.

Saint-Gobain Glass units outside Europe also experienced a sales

decline in the year, albeit on a lesser scale than the European outfits.

This was due to higher repair and start-up costs for glassmaking

furnaces and production lines in South Korea and China, as well

as a falloff in South Korean sales prices. In Brazil, rising sales prices

ran up against higher costs and the fall in value of the real. SaintGobain Glass India, on the other hand, posted a rise in earnings,

buoyed by strong marketing positions in its domestic market. 

Vitrages de Saint-Gobain reported earnings more or less on a par

with 2001, whereas 2002 was a year of improved results for Sekurit

in Europe. This was due to enhanced technical performance in

France; robust sales and earnings in Spain, Portugal and the Czech

Republic; more efficient running of industrial facilities in the Benelux

countries; and broad-based plans to reduce overheads. 

Outside Europe, Brazil improved on its 2001 earnings level, thanks

to price strengthening measures. Mexico also reported stronger

results than the previous year, spurred by enhanced technical

performance and the positive impact of the fall in value of the

Mexican peso against the U.S. dollar towards the end of the year.

In Asia, South Korea’s earnings figures were lifted by buoyant

business at Hankuk Sekurit and the successful start-up in China of

the new facility in Changchun. 

In the Specialty Glass line, Eurokera once again posted a rise in

earnings, driven by stellar sales and strong technical performance in

all three of its plants. Euroveder, Sovis North America and Hankuk

Haniso likewise posted earnings growth.

Outlook for 2003

The Flat Glass Division forecasts a moderate increase in sales during

the coming year. Positive contributory factors include expected

expansion in sales volumes, higher float glass prices outside Europe,

and an enhanced product mix in the automotive segment and in

processing operations for the construction industry. Adverse factors

will likely comprise ongoing negative exchange-rate effects and

further downward pressure on prices in the European construction

industry. 

The Division intends to pursue its growth strategy, which is

underpinned by three main goals:

- Launch new value-added products on the automotive,

construction, and – if possible – electronics markets; 

- Extend capacity across all businesses in Asia and emerging

economies; 

- Create additional targeted capacity for layered glass manufacturing

in the United Kingdom and China.
54

INSULATION AND REINFORCEMENTS

KEY CONSOLIDATED DATA

Insulation

The European insulation market continued to deteriorate on the

heels of a difficult year in 2001. This accentuated the problem

of excess capacity, which became structural. The slowdown in

Germany showed no signs of coming to a halt. Finland and the

former Soviet Union fared well, however. 

During the year, alliances were formed among competitors, with

Spain-based Uralita and Germany-based Pfleiderer bringing

together their insulation activities. Similarly, operations were

aligned between Knauf – a German company – and Alcopor,

based in Switzerland. Alcopor had previously taken over the

European business of Owens Corning. 

In the United States, business was much stronger than expected

in the wake of September 2001, but was nevertheless restrained

compared with the previous year as prices continued to come

under pressure.

Against this backdrop, the Insulation Division held out better than

anticipated, posting sales closely on a par with 2001.

Operating income contracted slightly, reflecting weaker margins

in Europe as sales volumes were hurt by fierce competition. The

decline was, however, offset by efficiency gains, enabling the

Division to keep up healthy profitability ratios. Operating margin

improved in the United States. 

Net income came in higher than 2001, thanks to reduced

interest and exceptional expense. 

2003 augurs well for the Division’s development, with a likely

rise in sales volume and additional success of high-added value

products following Europe’s introduction of thermal and acoustic

insulation standards in the building industry.

Volumes are expected to grow in the United States, boosted by

lower interest rates, even though prices may be slightly eroded

Despite these growth drivers, the Insulation Division expects

sales figures to come in only slightly higher than 2002

Earnings should trend more sharply upwards, however, lifted

by the Division’s continuous efforts to contain costs, and its

ramp-up of technical, logistic and commercial services with

high added value.

Reinforcements

The recovery forecast for the second half of 2002 did not pan out

Consequently, the Reinforcements Division concentrated on

bolstering volumes and regaining market share lost in 2001

enabling Saint-Gobain Vetrotex to grow sales in all sectors excep

electronics despite the cyclical trough. Fiberglass business expanded

in parallel with stronger sales prices. Growth was sustained at Saint

Gobain Technical Fabrics, on account of resilient performances

turned in by Saint-Gobain Vertex Fabrics and the Composites

business in the United States and Europe. 

Contribution to the Group 2002 2001 2000

% of net sales 11% 11% 11%

% of operating income 14% 15% 16%

% of cash flow from operations 16% 16% 17%

(In € millions) 2002 2001 2000

Net sales 3,329 3,274 3,254

Operating income 351 402 423

Cash flow from operations 436 448 451

Capital expenditure 198 229 258
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

The Division’s structure reflects the increasingly global nature of

the Reinforcements market, with Vetrotex Europe and North America

being brought together within Burena (Business Unit

Reinforcements Europe & North America). The Division has

reorganized its Technical Fabrics business on a worldwide basis

around three market segments – construction, industrial materials

and composites – with the aim of fostering synergies between

existing and new companies in the United States and Europe. 

One of the Division’s key priorities during the year was to continue

developing low-cost production platforms. At the same time, the

construction of two new furnaces was launched, one in Hodonice

in the Czech Republic and the other in Hangzhou in China.

Operations were firmed up in China in the Division’s two core

businesses. In addition, a foothold was gained in Japan via a joint

venture set up with Nippon Sheet Glass under the name of NSG

Vetrotex K.K., based in Tsu near Nagoya. 

R&D functions were reorganized, in order to reduce time-to-market

and speed up both global product development and process

development and process research functions. These programs

include the development of Z glass, renowned for its anti-corrosion

properties, and products that are compatible with phenolic resins for

the fireproof glass market, road reinforcement, TWINTEX®

applications, and textile processing for abrasive grinding wheels. 

In 2002, the Division’s performance was outstanding in terms of

quality, output and safety, positively impacting the cost base. 

During the year, SAP – a global enterprise resource management

software – was successfully rolled out in eight of the Division’s

companies in Europe and North America. This will enable

Reinforcements to achieve efficiency gains and respond more

promptly to customer needs. 

Operating in an unsettled market, the Division’s core focus for 2003

will be continuing to defend market share and growing the business. 

Low-cost production platforms will be put in full production in the

Czech Republic, China, Mexico and Brazil, both for glass thread

manufacturing and processing operations. 

As regards Technical Fabrics, the Division intends to implement costcutting measures while boosting the added value of products. SG

BayForm, specialized in the production of inscet screens and

integrated into Saint-Gobain Technical Fabrics, will benefit from

capital injections designed to spur growth. The Fiberglass unit will be

setting up a new production line in the Czech Republic, as part of its

cost-efficiency and product-quality program. The Division will also

be expanding its Distribution activities. 

2003 should see the launch of new fireproof products (phenolics),

new uses of TWINTEX®, remodeled fabrics for abrasive grinding

wheels and new bulk molding compounds. 

Another primary point in the year will be firming up smooth running

of information systems. 
56

CONTAINERS

KEY CONSOLIDATED DATA

No significant changes in the structure of the Containers Division

occurred during the year. Sales rose 0.1% compared with 2001,

negatively impacted by currency conversion effects in the amount

of €177 million. At constant exchange rates, sales rose

€175 million, up 4.3% on the previous year. Trading currencies

concerned were the U.S. dollar (+€50.6 million), the Brazilian real

(+€28.6 million) and the Argentine peso (+€23.9 million). 

Sales from the Bottles and Jars segment held up well across the board,

advancing by 4.3% in Europe. The market was particularly buoyant

in Italy, whereas France suffered from a weak “still wines” market. 

In the United States, sales from Bottles and Jars inched up 2.9%

excluding exchange-rate effects. South American sales surged, with

a more balanced mix between the Tumblers business and Bottles

and Jars.

Sales from Flasks dipped 1.3%, due to slightly tougher conditions in

the perfume market. Trading conditions picked up towards the end

of the year, however.

Plastic Pumps increased 3.6% in spite of exchange losses on the

U.S. dollar. The increase at constant exchange rates was 7.3%. 

Prices and volumes held firm across the Division. 

Operating income jumped 18.6%, despite unfavorable currency

translation effects. Excluding exchange-rate effects, operating income

surged 26.2%. The increase concerned practically the entire Division,

except for the Flasks and – more notably – Perfume segments. Plant

productivity was optimized, reflecting the first full-year benefits

reaped from restructuring carried out in Spain and measures

undertaken to ensure that European plants operate at full capacity. 

Lastly, the Bottles and Jars segment in the United States posted a

35% leap in net income, at constant exchange rates. Division-wide

reorganization measures led to cost savings and productivity gains

which were not offset by the significant negative impact of rising

energy costs in 2001 and recent months. 

Plastics reported a very strong 29% rise in sales, after €1.6 million

in negative currency translation effects. Restructuring efforts in both

the United States and Spain in 2001 and 2002 enabled the

segment to achieve satisfactory profitability levels. 

Another contributor to the Division’s robust results was tight contro

over overheads across all business lines. Cash flow climbed 11%

to a high €556 million, enabling the Division to finance the 24%

increase in capital expenditure while paying down a significan

€387 million worth of debt. 

Notwithstanding the unsettled economic conditions prevailing in

countries where the Containers Division has operations, and barring

any major incident that might impact energy costs and exchange

rates in particular, Management expects performance in 2003 to be

on a par with 2002.

Contribution to the Group 2002 2001 2000

% of net sales 13% 13% 14%

% of operating income 19% 15% 14%

% of cash flow from operations 21% 18% 18%

(In € millions) 2002 2001 2000

Net sales 4,076 4,070 3,906

Operating income 479 404 374

Cash flow from operations 556 499 480

Capital expenditure 294 237 278

Significant investments for flasks in France and Germany.
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

KEY CONSOLIDATED DATA

Business and earnings in the High Performance Materials Sector

– which slowed considerably during the first half – continued to

contract in the second half of the year, albeit less significantly.

Markets linked to industrial investment remain severely depressed

both in Europe and the United States and as at early 2003, the

global electronics sector had not shown any tangible signs of

recovery.

CERAMICS & PLASTICS

Earnings in Ceramics & Plastics contracted in 2002, reflecting

continued lackluster conditions in the global electronics sector,

combined with limp capital expenditure and industrial output. 

Sales were down 4.8% on a like-for-like basis, and operating

income eased back to €244 million from €392 million. 

Restructuring measures were undertaken during the year, which

should lift earnings in 2003 even if the markets – especially

electronics – do not stage a major recovery. 

Ceramics

2002 was another challenging year for Ceramics. Specialty Ceramics

suffered from the sluggish electronics and semi-conductor markets.

Businesses serving the medical sector began to be wound up towards 

the end of 2002, with the restructuring of Saint-Gobain Céramiques

Avancées Desmarquest. This will enable Specialty Ceramics to focus 

on markets where the Division leads the industry or is climbing up the

leadership ranks. 

Industrial Ceramics was adversely affected by the decrease in orders

for repairs of glassmaking furnaces. 

The last quarter of the year saw operations successfully start up at

the particle filter plant located in Courtenay, France – the outgrowth of

a joint venture between the Division and Ibiden, a Japanese group.

Also in 2002, the first silicon carbide filters were delivered to PSA

Peugeot-Citroen. The carmaker’s long-term plan is to incorporate these

filters into all of its diesel vehicles.

HIGH-PERFORMANCE MATERIALS

(*) Including Essilor for six months in 2000.

Contribution to the Group 2002 2001 2000*

% of net sales 12% 13% 15%

% of operating income 9% 15% 21%

% of cash flow from operations 9% 12% 18%

(*) Including Essilor for six months in 2000.

Internal sales are deducted from sales data by Sector and by Division.

(In € millions) 2002 2001 2000

Net sales 3,637 4,018 5,073

Operating income 244 392 668

Cash flow from operations 246 330 582

Capital expenditure 160 173 290
58

Plastics

The Plastics business was likewise hit by the tough semiconductor

market, as well as by a slowdown in new airport projects. These

adverse effects were, however, mitigated by stable sales in the

health, food-processing and automobile industries. In response to

this market contraction, the Division closed five industrial sites in

the north-east region of the United States, and streamlined

operations at its remaining sites. Meanwhile, it focused on

expanding in the ever-growing health sector via an acquisition in

the second half of the year. 

Numerous synergies were fostered in the Division through 2002,

including industrial and expense synergies generated from acquisitions

made between 1998 and 2001. R&D synergies were also reaped,

as the Division began to combine R&D teams from the Plastics

business line at Northboro in the United States, in order to start joint

operations in 2003. The new structure – organized around two main

R&D centers, one in Cavaillon in France, and the other in Northboro in

the U.S. – will serve as the launch pad for designing and developing

vanguard concepts for plastic products.

Assuming that the market holds steady in 2003, sales volumes of

ceramics and plastics should come in slightly higher than 2002,

propelled by new product concepts and launches.

Operating margin is expected to significantly improve, with

restructuring plans set up in 2002 starting to bear fruit. Efforts to run

production sites at full capacity will be ongoing throughout the year,

while a broad range of projects launched in 2002 will be completed

during the first quarter. 

The Division’s full-year target for 2003 is twofold: put organic growth

back on track and sharply improve operating income irrespective of

market conditions. Achieving such goals will require further

restructuring as well as an earnings upswing in the semiconductor

sector, which has already been retooled in line with the current

environment. Other primary factors will be marketing and selling new

products developed in 2002, coupled with targeting R&D efforts at

a select number of major growth projects. 

Abrasives

Following a decade of acquisitions and external expansion, the main

path of development for the Abrasives Division lies in organic growth

2002 was marred by difficult business conditions and the negative

impact of the fall in value of the U.S. dollar and Brazilian real

However, while some markets continued to falter, such as

aeronautics and tooling, others turned around, as was the case fo

the U.S. automotive sector and the automotive repair industry in

Europe and the United States. On balance, Saint-Gobain Abrasives

was resilient, outperforming several competitors and thereby

strengthening its market positioning. 

Supply chain management was honed in Europe, with majo

distribution centers set up in a bid to further enhance custome

service. 

Although sales figures were down compared with 2001, the picture

was mixed across product lines. 

• Sales of bonded abrasives, which are closely tied to the capita

spending cycle, were particularly hard hit in Europe and North

America, due to the recession in the United States. Strong falls were
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

recorded in the aeronautic segment, following the relocation of

many European and U.S. foundries. Conversely, the U.S.

automotive industry rallied strongly. In one of the most challenging

environments of recent years, the Division gained market share,

especially in the United States. R&D spending was kept up despite

the harsher operating conditions, paving the way for the launch

of new products in 2003 that set the standard in terms of quality,

reliability, and accuracy.

• Coated abrasives felt the brunt of foundry relocations and fallout

in the home improvement market in Europe. On the other hand,

the Division benefited from robust performance in the U.S. by both

the automotive industry and automotive repair market (wood

trimmings and panels). It also reaped the gains of an enlarged

footprint in the Asian markets – mainly India and South-East Asia

– as well as in South America. Restructuring operations conducted

in North America further drove up the Division’s price

competitiveness.

• Sales of thin grinding wheels inched back in the main European

markets, especially with respect to distribution operations. Price

competitiveness improved, however. This was achieved by

focusing capital expenditure on the twin goals of automating plants

with high labor costs and increasing capacity at plants located in

countries where labor costs are low. A particular focus in this regard

was the plant at Shanghai. In the course of 2002, this business

firmed up its leadership position.

• Superabrasives continued to suffer from softer demand during the

year. The Division is seeking to outplay rivals in 2003 by fully

leveraging new products that are due to come on stream and

reaping the benefits of significant capital expenditure programs

aimed at automating production lines.

Major restructuring plans have been rolled out in Europe and North

America, to create a leaner structure for the coming years that will

help boost Saint-Gobain Abrasives’ price competitiveness. 

Capital outlay was driven by the above twofold goal of automating

plants with high labor costs and increasing capacity in countries 

where labor costs are low. At the same time, the Division is 

continuing to invest in upgrading information systems. Further

substantial productivity gains were generated in 2002, both in

Europe and the United States, offsetting the negative effects of lower

sales volumes and inflation. 

Assuming that markets will remain weak, the priorities for 2003 are

furthering sales growth in Asia and bolstering market share across

all business lines. Another primary focal point will be lifting the

Division’s cost competitiveness, by expanding operations at the

Polish and Chinese manufacturing sites and pursuing automation

programs in Europe and the United States. Finally, the Division will

continue to roll out its strategy of fully leveraging production capacity

and productivity gains. 

Norton abrasive sponge.
60

Over the full year, the Housing Products Sector continued down

the same growth track as in the first half, boosting profitability

and slightly outstripping the Group’s average growth rate. The

Building Materials Division benefited from the buoyant

construction market in the United States. The Building Materials

Distribution Division continued to expand, fueled by organic

growth and bolt-on acquisitions, and was thus able to deepen

synergies. Operating margin surged to 4.9% against 4.5% in 2001

(including full-year contributions from Pipe Distribution

operations). Pipe Division sales slipped slightly over the year

however, but swung sharply upwards in the fourth quarter, led

by the first deliveries under the Abu Dhabi contract.

BUILDING MATERIALS DISTRIBUTION

KEY CONSOLIDATED DATA

2002 saw the Pipe Division’s distribution operations being integrated

into the U.K. and German sales networks of the Building Materials

Distribution Division. The restructuring pushed down sales of these

networks ensuingly by 8.5%, from €460 million to €421 million

External growth was an ongoing objective in 2002, with 41 bolt-on

acquisitions, representing full-year sales of €382 million. A

€305 million, the contribution to sales from external growth operations

was up 2.8% against the previous year. Conversely, the move to refocus

the Division’s distribution operations – begun in 2001 with the disposa

of equipment leasing companies in the United States and industria

carpentry production facilities in Germany – pushed down sales by

1.5% to €160 million. Total sales for Building Materials Distribution

advanced 4.1%. Based on a constant Group structure and excluding

the negative 0.7% impact of exchange rates, sales rose 1.5%. 

Contribution to the Group 2002 2001 2000

% of net sales 36% 33% 28%

% of operating income 21% 18% 16%

% of cash flow from operations 15% 12% 12%

HOUSING PRODUCTS SECTOR

2002 2001 2001 2000 2000

(In € millions) pro forma pro forma

Net sales 10,953 10,521 10,061 8,383 7,930

Operating income 534 475 490 415 422

Cash flow from operations 414 321 339 296 309

Capital expenditure 227 252 247 244 229

(In € millions) 2002 2001 2000

Net sales 15,102 14,824 12,596

Operating income 1,004 915 780

Cash flow from operations 814 768 702

Capital expenditure 401 429 469

Internal sales are deducted from sales data by Sector and by Division.

Pro forma data for 2001 and 2000 include Pipe Division distribution operations

within the Building Materials Distribution Division.

The new banner created from the merger between the Lapeyre and GME stores.
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

Following two banner years in 2000 and 2001, there was a 1.5%

contraction in the French renovation and home improvement

markets, where the Division’s networks enjoy strong coverage. On

the other hand, the French building industry saw a 1.2% increase

in construction starts on private houses during the year. This market

is dominated by tradespeople and small and medium-sized

companies, who make up the bulk of Point.P and La Plateforme

customers. New apartment block construction dipped 2.1%. 

In a year when the market as a whole lost ground, Building Materials

Distribution posted a rise in like-for-like sales in France, which

accounts for nearly 50% of the Division’s total sales. This growth was

primarily powered by market share gains achieved by all distribution

networks, as well as the opening and renovation of new generation

“Lapeyre, la maison” shops and additional La Plateforme outlets,

bringing the total number to 14. External growth accounted for

€130 million of sales. The number of Point.P stores has risen to

1,300, fueled by 24 acquisitions representing full-year sales of

€186 million. 

In the United Kingdom, Saint-Gobain Building Distribution (formerly

Meyer) increased like-for-like sales, within a market that experienced

underlying volume growth of some 2.3%. La Plateforme du

Bâtiment launched two new outlets in 2002, in Birmingham and

Cardiff. External growth operations were pursued, with ten

acquisitions whose full-year sales amounted to €93 million. During

the year, Pipe Distribution was impacted by its integration into the

specialized networks of Saint-Gobain Building Distribution. 

In a depressed German market which contracted by 7% in 2002,

Raab Karcher pursued its strategy of growing market share in the

renovation industry. Sales in Germany were boosted over the year,

driven by external growth operations, particularly the September

2001 acquisition of Keramundo, Germany’s leader in ceramic tiles*.

Pipe Distribution operations are currently being fully integrated into

the Raab Karcher network. 

Outside Germany, Raab Karcher strengthened market positions in

Holland, Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic through organic

growth that was buoyed by sales from the three Plateforme du

Batiment outlets in Warsaw and Katovice in Poland, and Budapest

in Hungary. External growth operations were also pursued, via the

acquisition of Czech builder’s merchant Bay Wa and Van Ditshuizen

in Holland, representing €16 million and €30 million of sales,

respectively. Point.P reinforced its customer base in Spain, with 18

new stores in Catalonia, and opened the first Plateforme outlet in

Madrid. Lapeyre streamlined its international network in Switzerland

and Belgium, having closed stores in Spain and Poland. It also

restructured Okfens in Poland, specialized in the manufacture of PVC

windows and joinery products.

In Brazil, Lapeyre vigorously expanded the store network of

Telhanorte, a mass-market distributor of fitted bathrooms. Three new

Telhanorte outlets were opened during the year. Rent X, an

equipment leasing company, was sold in the United States. This was

followed by the disposal at end-December 2002 of half of the

distribution network of melamine-coated products, putting sales

from this business at €80 million. A first Plateforme outlet was

launched in Mexico at September 2002. 

Total operating income for Building Materials Distribution climbed

12.7% from €475 million in 2001 to €534 million in 2002,

including €15 million worth of Pipe Distribution losses. This

performance, although partly eroded by substantial start-up costs,

reflects €10 million worth fewer losses from Pipe Distribution

operations, as well as synergies achieved by leveraging the Division’s

reach in Europe. Operating margin climbed to 4.9% against 4.5%

in 2001, including contributions from Pipe Distribution operations. 

The Division is aiming to steadily grow all its business lines in 2003

despite Europe’s weak trading conditions forecast by analysts. By

building on momentum in its networks, continuing to seek out

synergies, and ramping up bolt-on acquisitions and the launch of

new sites, the Division expects to outpace market growth and boost

profitability. 

* Source: Saint-Gobain
62

BUILDING MATERIALS

KEY CONSOLIDATED DATA

Like-for-like Building Materials sales advanced 1.9%, marking an

improvement on 2001, which was already a very good year. Growth

was mainly led by the Mortars segment, where volumes and prices

were up on 2001, especially in France, Spain and Brazil. In the United

States, sales were on a par with 2001. Roofing products contracted

slightly, but this was offset by sales volumes from other business

lines. Sales prices held firm in the Tiles business, enabling this

segment to report similar sales to 2001, which was a buoyant year. 

On an actual structure basis, the Division’s sales eased back 3.5%,

stemming from the fall in value of the U.S. dollar and Brazilian real. 

Like-for like operating income jumped 19%, driven by operations in

the United States, which benefited from improved raw materials

yields and efficiency gains, as well as strong sales and increased

productivity in the Mortars segment. 

Operating income on an actual basis climbed 14% year-on-year, and

operating margin rose to 11%. 

Net cash flow from operations rose 5.4%, excluding the impact of

the charge for asbestos-related litigation. Including the impact of this

charge, net cash flow was 17% lower than in 2001. The Division

nevertheless continued to pay down debt, by containing capital

expenditure and working capital. 

The outlook for construction in the U.S. remains favorable. In 2003

California-based Marshall – purchased at the end of 2002 –will be

consolidated into CertainTeed’s Window’s business. In Europe

business is likely to remain stable, and may even contract slightly. 

The positive effect of ongoing productivity gains may be offset by

rising prices for raw materials such as asphalt, PVC and cement

combined with unfavorable exchange rates. These factors will no

facilitate the task of improving the Division’s operating income, which

reached a record high in 2002. 

Debt paydown will continue, however, reflecting the Division’s aim

of keeping up its conservative capital expenditure strategy in 2003

and maintaining tight control over working capital. 

A dual strategic goal has been set for the coming year: reinforce

positions in core market segments and sub-segments, such as the

United States, Central Europe and Brazil, while expanding into new

markets in China and Eastern Europe. 

Contribution to the Group 2002 2001 2000

% of net sales 10% 10% 11%

% of operating income 13% 11% 9%

% of cash flow from operations 9% 11% 10%

(In € millions) 2002 2001 2000

Net sales 3,074 3,184 3,067

Operating income 335 294 252

Cash flow from operations 247* 297 273

Capital expenditure 135 134 172

* After the €100 million CertainTeed asbestos-related litigation charge (before tax) Wall facing renovation by Saint-Gobain Weber in Venice, Italy.
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

To permit meaningful comparisons, 2001 figures have been

adjusted to take into account the transfer to the Building Materials

Distribution Division of distribution operations concerning all

materials for pipe systems developed in Germany and the United

Kingdom. 

In 2002, the Pipe Division had to confront challenging economic

conditions in its main markets of Europe and Brazil. Meanwhile,

Distant Export sales stayed strong.

Overall sales decreased 3.8% to €1,344 million, of which 1.6% was

linked to currency fluctuations primarily arising from devaluation of

the Brazilian real. 

In Europe, sales decreased nearly 4% on 2001. The decline was

mainly ascribable to ongoing contraction in the construction and

public works markets in Germany and a sharp slowdown in the water

industry in Italy, due to market participants waiting for new tranches

of European funding, scheduled to be freed up as of 2003. In other

European countries, the Division managed to maintain sales on a

par with 2001, notably in France and the United Kingdom, where

firm pipe system sales mitigated weak public highway markets. Spain

also held up well, with demand hovering around the same high

levels of 2001. 

By upholding sales prices and continuing to launch new products

that stand out from the competition, the Division was able to limit

the impact of harsh trading conditions. The “Natural” pipe offering

was broadened in European markets; sales of the “Pluvial” rainwater

drainage system took off in France; a new multi-material pipe

connector offering was rolled out; and the product offer for pipe

systems for the construction industry and highway products

continued to be revamped. 

Contribution to the Group 2002 2001 2000

% of net sales 4% 6% 6%

% of operating income 5% 5% 4%

% of cash flow from operations 6% 5% 5%

2002 2001 2001 2000 2000

(In € millions) pro forma pro forma

Net sales 1,344 1,397 1,782 1,392 1,778

Operating income 135 146 131 113 106

Cash flow from operations 153 150 132 133 120

Capital expenditure 39 43 48 52 67

Pro forma data for 2001 and 2000 exclude Pipe Distribution operations 

to reflect their transfer to the Building Materials Distribution Division. 

PIPE

KEY CONSOLIDATED DATA
64

In Brazil, sales were hurt by lower spending on public infrastructure

arising from the abrupt economic slowdown. Conversely, sales

expanded in China, a strong growth market, powered by increased

production capacity.

Distant Export sales were on a par with the high levels of 2001.

This performance was led by the signing of the largest contract to

date, for 460km of ductile cast-iron pipes designed to supply

drinking water to Abu Dhabi. The first deliveries under this contract

began in the fourth quarter. Other major contracts were won towards

the end of the year, mainly in the Middle East, putting the order book

at an all-time high at the start of 2003. 

Operating income decreased to €135 million from €146 million the

previous year, due to declining volumes. Operating margin dipped

only slightly, however, from 10.5% to 10%, mainly attributable to firm

sales prices and ongoing productivity gains at plants.

Capital expenditure was contained, representing a restricted 2.9%

of sales, and exceptional expenses were lower than 2001, boosting

free cash flow.

The Division continued to expand operations during the year

acquiring a foundry in the Czech Republic. This will be integrated into

its manufacturing operations and will help sharpen the competitive

edge of the connectors product line. Other developments in 2002

included the signing of an industrial partnership agreement with

Xuzhou General Iron and Steel in China, the aim of which is twofold

to extend the Division’s product range and help to serve strongly

growing demand in the Chinese market. Overall, the Division expects

its production capacity in China to double as of 2003 thanks to the

development of both the new partnership and its existing

manufacturing facility. Another highlight of the year was the

successful implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

software in Germany and Brazil, which is due to be gradually rolled

out in all other companies of the Division. 

2003 should see gains being reaped from the major contracts won

in the Distant Export business line, buoyed by the Abu Dhab

contract. At the same time, sales are expected to rebound, especially

in France and Italy. Two unknown factors nevertheless remain as

2003 starts to unfold. One is the German market, which has trended

downward over the past few years, and the other is Spain, where the

market has been at a record high for two consecutive years. 
At December 31, 2002, Saint-Gobain ranked twenty-fourth in France

as regards market capitalization (€9,535 million) and sixteenth as

regards the volume of shares traded on the Premier Marché of

Euronext Paris SA (Euroclear France SA code: 12 500), with an

average of 1,682,752 shares traded daily in 2002. Saint-Gobain

stock is also traded on the principal European stock exchanges of

Frankfurt, London, Zurich (since 1987), Amsterdam, and Brussels

(since 1988). The average transaction volume on these foreign

markets was also large, notably on the London Stock Exchange.

The Saint-Gobain share is also included in the Dow Jones

“Sustainable Development” indexes (DJS World Index and DJS

European Index) and in the DJ Euro Stoxx 50 index of 50 leading

European stocks.

The Saint-Gobain share forms part of the support shares on the

traded options market of the Paris Stock Exchange (MONEP) and of

the London Stock Exchange. The number of option transactions

on the Paris Stock Exchange in Saint-Gobain shares was 2,576,045

lots in 2002, against 1,652,060 in 2001.

SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

IV - STOCK EXCHANGE INFORMATION

High Low Year-end price 

Year in € in €

1998 182.48 99.70 120.28

1999 189.90 103.10 186.70

2000 195.70 116.50 167.30

2001 180.00 128.20 169.50

2002 * 49.05 18.57 27.96

(*) After the four-for-one stock split of June 27, 2002.

(*) After the four-for-one stock split of June 27, 2002. 

Dividends which are not claimed within five years of the date of payment become statute-barred and are then paid to the State.

Number of shares for Income per share Total income Yield based on 

which a dividend was paid in € closing price

Dividend + tax credit for the year

Year

2000 85,213,263 shares 4.30 2.15 6.45 3.86%

2001 85,258,628 shares 4.50 2.25 6.75 3.98%

2002(*) 341,010,680 shares 1.13 0.565 1.695 6.06%

DIVIDENDS

HIGHEST AND LOWEST SHARE PRICES (source: Euronext Paris SA)

STOCK EXCHANGE INFORMATION

TRANSACTIONS SINCE JANUARY 2002 (source: Euronext Paris SA)

(*) After the four-for-one stock split of June 27, 2002. 

Paris Stock Volume of shares Market capitalization High Low

Exchange (in € thousands) in € in €

January 9,642,076 1,624,970 176.50 162.20

February 11,537,468 1,955,600 180.50 161.00

March 11,094,990 2,032,420 189.80 173.60

April 10,235,755 1,918,240 194.80 179.40

May 9,998,522 1,930,260 196.20 185.40

June(*) 20,442,993 2,806,690 190.40 169.10

July 74,091,650 2,597,520 46.10 24.50

August 59,997,794 1,721,280 32.70 24.23

September 49,966,232 1,349,500 30.74 21.94

October 80,463,477 1,822,070 27.13 18.57

November 56,958,538 1,491,420 31.18 20.60

December 34,672,358 990,520 32.20 26.11

Total 429,101,853 22,240,490

2003

January 46,700,460 1,262,186 30.00 24.02

February 48,509,235 1,351,797 29.90 25.60

March (to 20) 32,352,700 812,478 28.51 22.40
66

SHARE PRICE (IN €) (source: Datastream)

NUMBER OF SHARES TRADED

(in euros)

After the four-for-one stock split

Saint-Gobain share price Paris Stock Exchange (average trend)

55

50

45

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0 Dec. 24, 1986 Dec. 31, 2002

(in thousands)

After the four-for-one stock split

20,000

15,000

10,000

5,000

0

Dec. 24, 1986 Dec. 31, 2002

(*) Four-for-one stock split on June 27, 2002.

London Stock Volume Value

Exchange of shares In £ thousands

January 3,863,569 402,421

February 2,516,861 263,931

March 2,750,274 308,745

April 1,484,389 172,317

May 845,789 101,493

June (*) 3,593,227 325,670

July 31,867,461 703,763

August 17,892,302 325,160

September 31,521,677 563,121

October 19,653,921 286,529

November 5,186,619 80,913

December 2,634,878 47,797

Total 123,810,967 3,581,860

TRANSACTIONS SINCE JANUARY 2002 (source: London Stock Exchange)

A total of 399,400 shares were traded on the Frankfurt Stock

Exchange in 2002 (source: Datastream).

In 2001, the Group issued succesful public tender offers for the

minority interests in its Spanish subsidiary Saint-Gobain Cristaleria

and three Brazilian subsidiaries Saint-Gobain Canalização, Brasilit

and Saint-Gobain Vidros SA. All four companies were de-listed

following these offers. 

In February 2002, a public tender offer was launched for the shares

in Lapeyre held by minority interests, following which the Group held

94.6% of Lapeyre’s capital. In May 2002, the Group filed a public

buyback offer, followed by a compulsory buyout, for the Lapeyre

shares still held by the public.

The only two Group companies that are currently listed on a

regulatory stock exchange – other than Compagnie de Saint-Gobain

– are Saint-Gobain Oberland, listed on the Frankfurt, Munich and

Stuttgart stock exchanges, and Hankuk Glass Industries, listed in

Seoul. 
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

TRANSACTIONS SINCE FEBRUARY 2002 (source: Euronext Paris SA)

Paris Stock Number of In € thousands High Low

Exchange bonds in € in €

February 71,640 15,333,052 219.9 212.0

March 48,849 10,666,755 224.5 213.5

April 38,005 8,307,219 224.0 213.0

May 46,888 10,319,160 222.8 201.0

June 26,656 5,737,902 220.5 210.2

July 10,416 2,194,965 221.0 189.0

August 42,021 8,141,586 219.0 188.0

September 3,147 619,208 215.0 193.3

October 12,267 2,380,748 210.1 185.0

November 49,283 9,505,568 200.5 188.0

December 3,431 684,114 204.9 198.6

Total 352,603 73,890,277

TRANSACTIONS SINCE JANUARY 2002 (source: Euronext Paris SA)

Paris Stock Number Market capitalization High Low

Exchange of securities In € thousands in € in €

January 1,909 308,146 163.5 160.0

February 2,991 482,543 163.4 160.0

March 3,587 573,461 162.3 159.1

April 910 145,335 162.3 157.5

May 3,745 606,429 162.4 160.0

June 2,105 339,028 162.1 159.5

July 4,692 741,180 162.4 150.0

August 1,567 236,040 153.8 148.0

September 989 148,905 156.8 142.1

October 1,832 259,784 150.0 131.0

November 5,781 814,712 154.0 134.6

December 4,145 584,430 146.7 135.0

Total 34,253 5,239,993

OCÉANE BONDS 

(CONVERTIBLE INTO EITHER NEW OR EXISTING SHARES)

In February 2002, Compagnie de Saint-Gobain issued five-year

“Océane” bonds that are convertible into either new or existing

shares, for a total amount of €920 million. These securities have 

been listed on the Premier Marché of Euronext Paris SA since

February 18, 2002.

NON-VOTING PARTICIPATING SECURITIES

In June 1983, Compagnie de Saint-Gobain issued non-voting

participating securities for FRF 700 million with an attached warrant giving

the right to subscribe to an additional FRF 700 million of non-voting

participating securities. In all, 1,288,299 securities of FRF 1,000 have

been issued. Their par value now stands at €152.45 following the

conversion into euros carried out in 1999. 

Since their issue the remuneration of the non-voting securities has always

reached the maximum permitted under the terms of the prospectus, that

is 125% of the average rate of interest of bonds (TMO). Based on the

2002 results, the remuneration in 2003 should be at the same level.

The remuneration is in fact fixed between 75% and 125% of TMO, based

on the consolidated results of Saint-Gobain. The amount paid per security

in 2002 in respect of the 2001 fiscal year was €10.21.
68

TRANSACTIONS SINCE JANUARY 2002 (source: Euronext Paris SA)

Paris Stock Volume Market capitalization High Low

Exchange of securities (in € thousands) in € in €

January 169 26,062 157.0 153.9

February 107 16,427 157.0 151.0

March 40 6,160 154.0 154.0

April 112 17,277 156.0 152.0

May 59 9,216 156.2 156.2

June 139 21,944 160.0 157.8

July 22 3,412 160.5 150.3

August 25 4,023 160.9 160.9

September 300 48,044 161.0 160.0

October 309 47,548 154.9 152.0

November 200 30,405 152.1 152.0

December 340 51,393 152.7 151.0

Total 1,822 281,911

In April 1984, non-voting participating securities amounting to

ECU 100 million were issued together with a warrant giving the right to

acquire an equivalent number of participating securities in ECUs. In all,

194,633 securities of ECU 1,000 have been issued. Their par value is

now €1,000.

The remuneration of the non-voting participating securities in ECUs

comprises a fixed portion of 7.5% per annum applied to 60% of the

par value of the security and a variable amount on the remaining 40%

based on the consolidated net income of the previous year within the

limits set by the prospectus. The total remuneration varies, depending

on consolidated net income, between the average rate of interest

on bonds (TMOE) less 0.50% and the TMOE plus 1.75%. The

amount paid by security in 2002 was €71.57, paid in two installments

There are no other Compagnie de Saint-Gobain securities traded on

a market other than shares, “Océane” bonds and non-voting

participating securities.

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

The services of the Financial Communications and Investor Relations

Department are available to any person interested in the Group. This

Department regularly issues a Letter to Shareholders, as well as a

Shareholder’s Handbook.

In 2002, Compagnie de Saint-Gobain organized several meetings

with its shareholders in France – in Montpellier in April, Lyon in

May, Toulouse in June, Bordeaux in November and Lille in

December. It also organized a meeting abroad for the first time –

in Brussels in November. The Company also took part, for the

seventeenth consecutive year, in the Décisions Patrimoine event

held in October in Nantes (formerly known as Journées Investir)

as well as in the fifth Actionaria trade fair in Paris in November. In

addition to the two annual meetings with analysts and journalists

held in January and July in Paris and London at the time of the

publication of estimated results, several other information meetings

took place during the year in European cities where the Company’s

shares are listed, as well as in the United States and Japan.

A Minitel service 3615 code GOBAIN (€0.15/min), (a videotext

system operated by France Telecom) is available for shareholders

financial analysts, stockbroking firms, portfolio managers and

individuals. This provides current information regarding the Group

and the market price of its shares and enables shareholders to

contact Saint-Gobain correspondents directly.

Information on the Group can also be obtained from the Compagnie

de Saint-Gobain website as can presentations to financial analysts

The following e-mail address has also been set up for shareholders

Through BNP Paribas, Compagnie de Saint-Gobain makes available

to its shareholders a number of complementary services to improve

the administration of their fully registered shares. For furthe

information, contact the Financial Communications Department at

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain or:

Saint-Gobain

Financial Communications Department

Les Miroirs

F- 92096 La Défense Cedex

Toll-free number (France): 0800 32 33 33

BNP Paribas

Les Collines de l’Arche

GIS - Emetteurs

F- 75450 Paris Cedex 09

Toll-free number (in France) 0 800 03 33 33

Toll-free fax (in France) 0 800 77 25 85

www.saint-gobain.com

actionnaires@saint-gobain.com
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

The breakdown of ownership and voting rights has changed in recent

years. As a result of the policy of unwinding cross-shareholdings, Suez

and Saint-Gobain have not had any capital ties since 1998 and Vivendi

Universal has not held a stake in Saint-Gobain since May 2002.

Institutional investors such as Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations have

gradually taken over the role previously occupied by these two historic

shareholders. Lastly, the Group Savings Plan has considerably increased

both its ownership interest and its voting rights, since these amounted

to only 4.1% and 5.8% respectively at the 1999 year-end, becoming

the Company’s leading shareholder.

In September 2002, U.S.-based State Street Bank and Trust Company

notified the Company that it had crossed the 5% disclosure threshold.

In November, it announced that the shares held once again

represented less than 5% of the Company’s capital. The shares

concerned are held in accounts managed by State Street Bank and

Trust Company on behalf of its clients. State Street Bank and Trust

Company acts solely as custodian and does not own the shares.

To the best of the Company’s knowledge, there are no pacts

concerning the capital stock.

According to the December 31, 2002 identification of holders of

bearer shares, the number of shareholders is estimated to be around

250,000. 

In accordance with the Company’s bylaws fully paid up shares registered

for two years in the name of the same shareholder carry double voting

rights. In addition, when the capital is increased by the capitalization of

reserves, profits or issue premiums, a right to a double vote is granted

on issue to each bonus share distributed free of charge to a shareholder

owning shares giving rise to this right. Any share converted into bearer

form or whose ownership is transferred loses the right to a double

vote. Nevertheless, transfers resulting from an inheritance or from the

liquidation of the joint estate of a husband and wife or donations inter

vivos in respect of a husband, wife or parent entitled to share in the

estate of an intestate, do not result in the loss of the right and do not

interrupt the two-year period referred to above. These provisions were

included in the Company bylaws following the authorization of the

Ordinary and Extraordinary General Meeting of February 27, 1987. 

At December 31, 2002 the number of voting rights was 358,837,078

for 341,010,680 shares. Given the 670,580 outstanding stock

options at that date(1) the potential capital would be made up of

341,681,260 shares assuming all rights were to be exercised and

not taking into account any conversion of Océane bonds into new

shares. If all of the bonds were to be converted, the Company’s capital

would be made up of 359,205,072 new shares.

The percentage of the share capital held personally by members of

the Board of Directors is below 0.5%. The same applies to Group

Management.

OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE

December 31, 2002 March 1, 2002 December 31, 2000

% interest Voting rights % interest Voting rights % interest Voting rights 

Group Savings Plan 6.3% 9.6% 6.5% 9.4% 6.1% 8%

Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations 4.6% 4.4% 4.6% 4.3% - -

BNP Paribas Group 1.0% 1.8% 2.1% 4% 3.0% 5.5%

AXA Group 2.4% 3.8% 1.9% 3.3% 1.7% 1.7%

Vivendi Universal 0 0 0.2% 0.2% 1.6% 3.0%

Treasury stock 1.5% 0 1.4% 0 2.3% 0

Other shareholders 84.2% 80.4% 83.3% 78.8% 85.3% 81.8%

TOTAL 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

SHAREHOLDERS

CAPITAL STOCK

At December 31, 2002, the capital stock of Compagnie de SaintGobain amounted to €1,364,042,720, breaking down into

341,010,680 ordinary shares (after the four-for-one stock split of

June 27, 2002) with a par value of €4 each, compared to

85,258,628 shares with a par value of €16 at December 31, 2001.

The reason why the number of shares was practically unchanged was

due to the balance between the issue of 1,175,849 shares

subscribed by employees under the Group Savings Plan and the

issue of 113,320 shares following the exercise of the same number

of stock options(1) on the one hand and, on the other, the

cancellation of 4,953,708 shares in November 2002.

(1) Since 1997, these plans no longer involve subscription options on new shares but purchase options on existing shares held in treasury stock for this purpose. 

V - SHAREHOLDERS, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS
70

FINANCIAL AUTHORIZATIONS

Following resolutions adopted by shareholders at the Ordinary and

Extraordinary General Meeting of June 28, 2001, the Board of

Directors has been granted authority, until August 2003, to issue, if

it deems it advisable, any type of shares or share equivalents. The

authorizations given are for a maximum aggregate par value of

€760 million, and may involve a waiver of shareholders’ preemptive

subscription rights (the authorization was partly used with a waiver

of preemptive subscription rights in February 2002 for the Océane

convertible bond issue described below).

The same shareholders’ meeting renewed for the same period the

authority granted previously to the Board of Directors to grant share

purchase options in a number not to exceed three percent of capital

stock and to cancel up to 10% of capital stock before June 2003 (this

authorization was partly used in November 2001 and November 2002).

Lastly, the Shareholders’ Meeting of June 28, 2001 renewed until

August 2003 the authorization granted previously to the Board of

Directors to issue shares subscribed by employees under the Group

Savings Plan, up to a maximum aggregate par value of €64 million

(the authorization was partly used in January 2002 and March 2003), 

and also granted authority to the Board to issue shares subscribed

by employees of the Group’s U.S. subsidiaries via a company selected

for the purposes of employee savings operations likely to be

organized for their benefit, up to a maximum par value of €16 million

(included within the previous €64 million limit). This latte

authorization, renewed by the Ordinary and Extraordinary Genera

Meeting of June 6, 2002, has not been used.

ISSUE OF OCÉANE BONDS

In February 2002, Compagnie de Saint-Gobain issued “Océane bonds”

that are convertible into either new or existing shares, for a total amount

of €920 million, at an annual interest rate of 2.625%. These bonds

maturing on January 1, 2007, have a nominal value of €210 each

They have been listed on the Premier Marché of Euronext Paris SA since

February 18, 2002 (see page 88) and carry an early repayment option

that can be exercised by the issuer as from February 18, 2005 if the SaintGobain share price exceeds 31.25% of the bond issue price, taking

into account the stock-split. If all of the bonds were to be converted

this would give rise to the issue of 17,523,812 new Saint-Gobain shares

CHANGES IN CAPITAL IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS

Capital Number

of shares

5-98 FRF 9,019,220,500 90,192,205 Group Savings Plan: issue of 965,392 shares (at FRF 666)

12-98 FRF 9,029,578,800 90,295,788 Subscription to 103,583 shares by the exercise of as many stock options 

1-99 €1,376,550,410 90,295,788 Conversion into euros of capital stock

6-99 €1,307,722,916 85,781,000 Cancellation of 4,514,788 shares

6-99 €1,372,496,000 85,781,000 Increase in the par value to €16

6-99 €1,391,283,744 86,955,234 Group Savings Plan: issue of 1,174,234 shares (at €97)

12-99 €1,395,788,000 87,236,750 Subscription to 281,516 shares by the exercise of as many stock options

6-00 €1,342,036,944 83,877,309 Cancellation of 3,359,441 shares

9-00 €1,373,336,528 85,833,533 Group Savings Plan: issue of 1,956,224 shares (at €106)

11-00 €1,361,990,544 85,124,409 Cancellation of 709,124 shares

12-00 €1,363,412,208 85,213,263 Subscription to 88,854 shares by the exercise of as many stock options

6-01 €1,377,862,608 86,116,413 Group Savings Plan: issue of 903,150 shares (at €133)

11-01 €1,362,189,600 85,136,850 Cancellation of 979,563 shares

12-01 €1,364,138,048 85,258,628 Subscription to 121,778 shares by the exercise of as many stock options 

6-02 €1,382,951,632 86,434,477 Group Savings Plan: issue of 1,175,849 shares (at €135.50)

6-02 €1,383,404,272 86,462,767 Subscription to 28,290 shares by the exercise of as many stock options

6-02 €1,383,404,272 345,851,068 Four-for-one stock split (par value of shares reduced from €16 to €4 )

11-02 €1,363,589,440 340,897,360 Cancellation of 4,953,708 shares

11-02 €1,364,000,000 341,000,000 Subscription to 102,640 shares by the exercise of as many stock options

12-02 €1,364,042,720 341,010,680 Subscription to 10,680 shares by the exercise of as many stock options
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

GROUP SAVINGS PLAN

The Group Savings Plan (PEG) is a key feature of the social contract

within the Group. It represents an excellent means of including

employees in the Company’s successes and resulting profits.

The Company implemented two standard Plans in 2002, one with

a five-year term and the other with a ten-year term. The total amount

of subscriptions to the PEG for the two plans came to €159 million,

up from the €120 million recorded in 2001, corresponding to

1,175,849 shares. 

In France, some 70% of employees have subscribed to the PEG

through company mutual funds. The PEG has been extended to

employees in twenty other European countries and six countries

on other continents. In all, about 35,000 Group employees have

now subscribed to the PEG.

At December 31, 2002, the Group Savings Plan held 6.3% of the

Company’s capital stock and 9.6 % of its voting rights.

In January 2003, a new Group Savings Plan, offering the standard

options of five- and ten-year terms, was launched, as well as an option

with a five-year term leverage effect. The total number of SaintGobain shares open for subscription is 6,500,000 (See prospectus

dated February 11, 2003 bearing COB approval No. 03-053).

SAINT-GOBAIN STOCK OPTION PLANS

Stock option plans have been approved by the Board of Directors

every year since 1987; the plans for the years from 1987 to 1993

inclusive are now terminated, as the maximum term to exercise

these options had been set at five years up to 1991 and eight

years then ten years subsequently.

Saint-Gobain stock option plans are decided by the Board of

Directors following a review of proposals presented by the

Appointments Committee, which in 2002 included Bernard

Esambert, Chairman, as well as Daniel Bernard and Bruno Roger. 

In addition to Group Management (9 persons), the options granted

in November 2002 concerned three categories of recipients:

- Category A includes the Presidents of the Divisions, the General

Delegates, and Functional Directors who are part of the Group

Coordination Committee (18 persons);

- Category B includes the main operations and functional managers

of the Divisions and General Delegations (772 persons);

- Category C includes high-potential executives as well as managers 

or employees who have achieved superior performance (569

persons).

The total number of beneficiaries of the November 2002 plan was

therefore 1,368, on a par with 2001 when they numbered 1,351.

In each of the above categories, the number of options granted is

individually tailored according to responsibilities handled and

performance achieved. The total number of options granted in 2002

was 3,785,500 (compared with 3,774,800 in 2001) and amounted

to 1.1% of capital stock at December 31, 2002. 

Since 1997, these plans no longer involve subscription options on

new shares but purchase options on existing shares held in treasury

stock for this purpose.

All discounts on the average share price for the period immediately

preceding the date of grant of the options were discontinued in

1999; the exercise price was therefore set at 100% of this average

price, i.e. €23.53 for the November 2002 plan.

The main general conditions set by the Board for the exercise of

these options are the following:

- options must be exercised within ten years of the date of grant ;

- the minimum period before the options vest is either three or

four years;

- all rights to options are forfeited if the employee terminates

employment with the Group, unless expressly agreed otherwise

by the Chairman of the Board and the Appointments Committee.

Specific exercise conditions are attached to some categories of

beneficiaries. For instance, the Board of Directors has made the

vesting of half of the options granted to Group Management and

Category A recipients in November 2002 conditional upon the SaintGobain share price outperforming the exercise price by more than

20% on the exercise date. 

Further, in accordance with an internal rule instituted by the Board

of Directors in 1997, Group Management and Category A persons

who are members of the Group Coordination Committee and

benefit from stock options were required at the end of 2002, if they

had more than five years’ seniority in their current function, to own

at least 2,800 registered Saint-Gobain shares and to increase their

holdings by at least 400 shares per annum; Category B beneficiaries

are required to own at least 400 registered shares at all times.
72

(*) Taking into account the four-for-one stock split of June 2002. (**) The list of the 18 members of the Group Management is provided on page 80. (***)In addition, a specific grant of 5,000 purchase options at an exercise price of €132.43 was carried out on March 30, 2000. 

The following three tables summarize key data on unexpired

stock option plans at December 31, 2002, with the latter two

dealing with the stock options of corporate officers and of the

ten largest recipients.

Date of Shareholder’s Meeting 6/14/1991 6/13/1995 6/13/1995 6/25/1997 6/25/1998 6/24/1999 6/24/1999 6/28/2001 6/28/2001

authorizing the plan 6/11/1992

Date of Board of Directors’ Meeting 9/15/1994 11/16/1995 11/21/1996 11/20/1997 11/19/1998 11/18/1999 11/16/2000*** 11/22/2001 11/21/2002

Type of options subscription subscription subscription purchase purchase purchase purchase purchase purchase

Number of beneficiaries 127 121 161 182 218 393 780 1 351 1 368

Total number of shares which 210,775 208,790 303,690 296,865 321,995 437,725 674,125 943,700 3,785,500*

may be obtained 

Of which:

• number of shares that 78,700 83,800 121,200 137,600 137,000 134,500 202,600 231,200 936,200*

Group Management

may obtain

• number of corporate officers concerned 15 14 20 19 19 19 20 18 18**

Effective date of options 9/15/1996 11/16/1997 11/21/1998 11/20/1999 11/19/2001 11/18/2002 11/16/2003 11/22/2004 11/22/2005

or 11/20/2002 or 11/19/2003 or 11/18/2004 or 11/16/2005 or 11/22/2005 or 11/22/2006

Expiry date 9/14/2002 11/15/2003 11/20/2004 11/19/2005 11/18/2006 11/17/2009 11/15/2010 11/21/2011 11/21/2012

Subscription/Purchase price €81.56 €70.13 €85.68 €113.88 €118.15 €162.53 €150.89 €160.87 €23.53*

Discount on average share price 20% 20% 20% 10% 5% 0 0 0 0

Number of options outstanding 24,445 41,150 126,495 226,226 302,670 417,725 659,425 923,700 3,785,500*

at December 31, 2002

Stock purchase options granted to each corporate officer Number of options Exercise price Expiry date

and options exercised in 2002 granted/Number of shares

subscribed or purchased

Options granted in 2002 to each corporate officer by the issuer 

or by any Group company

Jean-Louis Beffa 240,000 € 23.53 (

*) November 2005 Gianpaolo Caccini 130,000

Options exercised in 2002 by each corporate officer

Jean-Louis Beffa 0 -

Gianpaolo Caccini 7,620 €20.39 /€17.53 Sept 2002/Nov 2003

Stock purchase options granted to the ten largest recipients Number of options granted/ Unit price

other than corporate officers and options exercised by these individuals Number of shares

subscribed or purchased 

Options granted in 2002 by the issuer and any Group company 479,000 €23.53 (*)

granting options, to the ten largest recipients of options among

employees of the issuer or any other Group company granting options 

(aggregate figure)

Exercise in 2002 of options granted by the issuer and any Group 103,900 Average weighted

company granting options, to the ten largest recipients of options price

among employees of the issuer or any other Group company €25.91

granting options (aggregate figure)

(*) As mentioned above, the vesting of half of the options is conditional upon the Saint-Gobain share price

outperforming the exercise price by more than 20% on the exercise date.
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

The only other stock option plans on shares in Group companies,

whether publicly traded or not, concern Lapeyre, whose last plan

dates back to 1996 and ended in 2002.

SAINT-GOBAIN SHARE BUYBACKS AND CANCELLATIONS

In the course of 2002, the Company bought back 5,403,148 of

its own shares in accordance with the authorizations granted by

the Ordinary and Extraordinary General Meeting of June 6, 2002

(prospectus dated May 7, 2002 bearing COB approval No. 02-527).

Of these Saint-Gobain shares held in treasury stock, the Board of

Directors canceled 4,953,708 shares at its meeting of November

21, 2002, using the authorization granted by the Ordinary and

Extraordinary General Meeting of June 6, 2002.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain upholds the principles of corporate

governance defined by the Committees chaired by Marc Viénot

(of which Jean-Louis Beffa was a member) as well as by the

Committee chaired by Daniel Bouton, and implements in full the

recommendations that they have issued.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

At March 1, 2003, the membership of the Board of Directors of

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain was as follows:

JEAN-LOUIS BEFFA

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Jean-Louis Beffa, 61, is also Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors

of BNP Paribas, a Director of the Bruxelles Lambert Group, President

of Claude Bernard Participations, and a member of the Supervisory

Board of Le Monde, Le Monde Partenaires and Société Editrice du

Monde. Within the Saint-Gobain Group, Jean-Louis Beffa is the

permanent representative on the Board of Saint-Gobain PAM, a

Director of Saint-Gobain Cristalería and Saint-Gobain Corporation,

and joint Chairman of the corporate foundation Saint-Gobain Center

for Economics Research. He is also Vice-Chairman of the Supervisory

Board of the Pension Reserve Fund. He owns 172,000 Saint-Gobain

shares.

Les Miroirs - F - 92096 La Défense Cedex, France

DANIEL BERNARD

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Carrefour.

Daniel Bernard, 57, is also a Director of Alcatel. Within the Carrefour

Group, Daniel Bernard is Vice-Chairman of Dia S.A., Director of

Comptoirs Modernes, Eterco, Grandes Superficies de Colombia,

Presicarre, Carrefour Comercio e industria, Centros Comerciales

Carrefour, Finiper and GS, as well as Chief Executive Officer of

Carrefour Americas Ltda, Chief Operating Officer of SISP and VicePresident of Vicour. 

He owns 4,400 Saint-Gobain shares.

6 avenue Raymond Poincaré - F - 75769 Paris Cedex 16, France

ISABELLE BOUILLOT

Chairwoman of the Management Board of CDC Finance - CDC Ixis.

Isabelle Bouillot, 54, is also a Director of San Paolo IMI, a member

of the Supervisory Board of Accor and permanent representative on

the Supervisory Board of CNCE. Within the Caisse des Dépôts Group,

she is a member of the Supervisory Board of CNP Assurances, as

well as Chairwoman, Supervisory Board member or permanent

representative on the Board of Directors or Supervisory Boards of

various subsidiaries of CDC Finance - CDC Ixis. 

She owns 1,200 Saint-Gobain shares.

26-28 rue Neuve Tolbiac - F - 75658 Paris Cedex 13, France

ROLF-E. BREUER

Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Deutsche Bank AG.

Rolf-E. Breuer, 65, of German nationality, is also Chairman of the

Supervisory Board of Deutsche Börse AG, a member of the

Supervisory Boards of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, E.ON AG and

Bertelsmann AG, and a Director of Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank.

He is a member of the Consultative Committee of C.H. Boehringer

Sohn, and Chairman of Bundesverband Deutsche Banken e.v.

During 2002, Rolf-E Breuer was also appointed Vice-Chairman of

the Supervisory Board of Siemens AG and a member of the

Supervisory Board of Münchener Rück AG. 

He owns 4,516 Saint-Gobain shares.

Taunusanlage 12, D-60262 Frankfurt am Main (Germany)

PAUL ALLAN DAVID 

Professor of Economics at the Universities of Stanford and Oxford.

Paul A. David, 68, a U.S. citizen, is Professor of Economics at Stanford

University (USA), and Professor of Economics and History at the

University of Oxford (United Kingdom). He does not hold any other

directorships. 

He owns 800 Saint-Gobain shares.

Stanford University, Department of Economics, Stanford, CA 94305-

6072 (USA)
74

BERNARD ESAMBERT

Vice-Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Lagardère Group.

Bernard Esambert, 68, is also Chairman of the Supervisory Board

of Banque Arjil et Cie and Arjil & Associés Banque (Lagardère Group),

a Director of Bolloré and Compagnie des Glénans (Bolloré Group),

as well as of Hachette Filipacchi Medias and Pierre Fabre S.A. He is

a member of the Supervisory Board of Paroma and Compagnie

Financière Saint-Honoré. Bernard Esambert is also Chairman of the

French Foundation for Epilepsy Research and of the Federation for

Brain Research, Vice-Chairman of the Companies Institute (Institut

de l’Entreprise), a member of the Board to the French stock market

authorities (Commission des Opérations de Bourse), Director and

Treasurer of Fondation Touraine and Association Georges Pompidou. 

He owns 4,200 Saint-Gobain shares.

43 rue Vineuse - F - 75016 Paris, France

JEAN-MARTIN FOLZ 

Chairman of the Management Board of Peugeot SA.

Within the PSA group, Jean-Martin Folz, 56, is Chairman of the Board

of Directors of Automobiles Peugeot and Automobiles Citroën,

and a Director of Banque PSA Finance, Peugeot Citroën Automobiles

and Faurecia. He is also a Director of Solvay. 

He owns 1,200 Saint-Gobain shares.

75 avenue de la Grande-Armée -F - 75116 Paris, France

ERIC D’HAUTEFEUILLE

Former Chief Operating Officer of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain.

Eric d’Hautefeuille, 63, is also a Director of Gaz de France. Within the

Saint-Gobain Group, he is a Director of Saint-Gobain Emballage, SaintGobain Isover, Saint-Gobain Glass France, Saint-Gobain Cristaleria and

International Saint-Gobain. 

He owns 4,000 Saint-Gobain shares.

46 quai Henri IV - F- 75004 Paris, France

SYLVIA JAY 

Director General of the British Food and Drink Federation.

Lady Jay, 56, is a British citizen. She does not hold any other

directorships. She is a Lay member of the Disciplinary Committee

of the General Council to the Bar, Governor of the British Nutrition

Foundation, and trustee of the Pilgrim Trust, the Food Foundation

UK, the Food and Drink Federation Pension Fund, and the Entente

Cordiale Scholarships Scheme. 

She owns 800 Saint-Gobain shares.

6 Catherine Street, UK - London WC2B 5JJ (United Kingdom)

JOSÉ-LUIS LEAL MALDONADO

Chairman of the Spanish Banking Association.

José-Luis Leal Maldonado, 63, of Spanish nationality, is also a

Director of CEPSA, Alcatel España and Renault España, as well as

Saint-Gobain Cristalería. 

He owns 4,000 Saint-Gobain shares.

C/Velasquez, 64-6e E-28001 Madrid (Spain)

SEHOON LEE

Co-Chairman of Hankuk Glass Industries and Hankuk Sekurit

(South Korea).

Sehoon Lee, 53, of South Korean nationality, is also the Chairman

of the Management Committee of the Hanglas Group, Chairman

of the Board of Directors of Saint-Gobain Hanglas (Asia), SL

Investment Co and SL Advisory Co, as well as Vice-Chairman of

the Korean Chamber of Commerce. 

He owns 1,000 Saint-Gobain shares.

Sehoon Lee was appointed by the Board of Directors on Novembe

21, 2002 to replace Jean-Marie Messier, who resigned from his

position on June 7, 2002.

Youngpoong Building, 33 Seorin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul 100-752

(South Korea)

JEAN-MAURICE MALOT

Former President of the Saint-Gobain Employees’ and Former

Employees’ Shareholders’ Association and Chairman of the

Supervisory Board of the Group Savings Plan Mutual Funds.

Jean-Maurice Malot, 63, is Chairman of Sivaq SA and Vice-Chairman

of the Libourne Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 

He owns 800 Saint-Gobain shares.

Les Miroirs - F - 92096 La Défense Cedex, France

GÉRARD MESTRALLET

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Suez.

Gérard Mestrallet, 53, is also a member of the Supervisory Boards

of AXA and Taittinger, and a Director of Crédit Agricole and Pargesa

Holding. Within the Suez Group, Gérard Mestrallet is Chairman of

Société Générale de Belgique and of Tractebel and Vice-Chairman

of Hisusa and Sociedad General de Aguas de Barcelona. In 2002

he was also a Director of Ondeo and Frabepar, a member of the

Supervisory Board of Casino, Crédit Agricole Indosuez, Métropole

Télévision M6, SAGEM and Société du Louvre, and a permanent

representative on the Board of Directors of Fimalac and Le Monde

Entreprises. 

He owns 840 Saint-Gobain shares.

16 rue de la Ville-l’Evêque - F - 75008 Paris, France
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

MICHEL PÉBEREAU

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BNP Paribas.

Michel Pébereau, 61, is also a Director of Lafarge and TotalFinaElf, a

member of the Supervisory Boards of AXA and Dresdner Bank, and

a non-voting director of Galeries Lafayette. Within the BNP Paribas

Group, he is a Director of BNP Paribas UK. In addition, he is ViceChairman of the International Monetary Conference, a member of

the International Advisory Panel of the Monetary Authority of

Singapore, of the International Capital Markets Advisory Committee,

and of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and Chairman of the

French Banking Federation. 

He owns 820 Saint-Gobain shares.

3 rue d’Antin - F - 75002 Paris, France

BRUNO ROGER

Member of the Executive Committee of Lazard LLC and

President of Lazard Frères SAS. 

Bruno Roger, 69, is also a Director of Cap Gemini Ernst & Young and

Sofina, and a member of the Supervisory Boards of AXA and Pinault

Printemps Redoute. Within the Lazard Group, he is the Chairman

of the Supervisory Board of Eurazeo. 

He owns 48,040 Saint-Gobain shares.

121 Boulevard Haussmann - F - 75008 Paris, France

Chief Operating Officer: GIANPAOLO CACCINI

Gianpaolo Caccini, 64, is also a Director of Nexans and JM Huber

Corporation. Within the Saint-Gobain Group, he is a Director of SaintGobain Corporation. He owns 4,820 Saint-Gobain shares.

Secretary to the Board of Directors: BERNARD FIELD, Corporate

Secretary of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain.

MEMBERSHIP OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Acting upon a recommendation presented by the Appointments

Committee, the Board of Directors reviewed the independence of

each Director in compliance with criteria established in the Bouton

report on corporate governance. It was subsequently concluded

that in accordance with the above criteria, the following are

independent Directors: Daniel Bernard, Isabelle Bouillot, Paul A.

David, Bernard Esambert, Jean-Martin Folz, Sylvia Jay and Gérard

Mestrallet. This corresponds to seven Directors out of fifteen. The

Board does not include any Director that has been elected by

employees (although does include a Director representing employee

shareholders), or non-voting Directors. In accordance with the

Company bylaws, each Director must own at least 800 shares(2).

RENEWAL OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The dates on which Directors were first elected are as follows:

- Jean-Louis Beffa, Bernard Esambert and Bruno Roger: February 1987;

- Rolf-E. Breuer and Michel Pébereau: June 1993;

- Gérard Mestrallet: November 1995;

- Jean-Maurice Malot: June 1997;

- Isabelle Bouillot and José-Luis Leal Maldonado: June 1998;

- Eric d’Hautefeuille: June 1999;

- Daniel Bernard: June 2000;

- Jean-Martin Folz: March 2001;

- Paul A. David and Sylvia Jay: June 2001.

The dates on which Directors’ terms of office expire are as follows:

- Bernard Esambert, Sehoon Lee, Jean-Maurice Malot and Gérard

Mestrallet: 2003 Annual Meeting.

- Jean-Louis Beffa, Isabelle Bouillot, Sylvia Jay and José-Luis Leal

Maldonado: 2004 Annual Meeting.

- Rolf-E. Breuer, Jean-Martin Folz, Eric d’Hautefeuille, Michel Pébereau

and Bruno Roger: 2005 Annual Meeting.

- Daniel Bernard: 2006 Annual Meeting.

- Paul A. David: 2007 Annual Meeting.

Acting upon a recommendation of the Appointments Committee,

the Board of Directors will be submitting for approval the ratification

of the following appointments or renewals at the next Annual General

Meeting scheduled to take place on June 5, 2003:

Sehoon Lee 

Sehoon Lee, 53, of South Korean nationality, is CoChairman of South Korea-based Hankuk Glass

Industries and Hankuk Sekurit. After obtaining a

doctorate in Philosophy from the University of

Seoul and an MBA from Wharton (the University of Pennsylvania),

Sehoon Lee joined the South-Korean Hanglas Group in 1977 as Chief

Financial Officer. He occupied various positions within the group

before becoming Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in 1995.

Mr Lee is also the Chairman of the Management Committee of the

Hanglas Group, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Saint-Gobain

Hanglas (Asia), SL Investment Co and SL Advisory Co, as well as ViceChairman of the Korean Chamber of Commerce. He is a Chevalier

de la Légion d’Honneur à titre étranger. He owns 1,000 SaintGobain shares. 

Sehoon Lee was appointed by the Board of Directors on November

21, 2002. The sixth resolution provides for the ratification of his

appointment and the renewal of his term of office. 

(2) After the four-for-one stock split.
76

Gérard Mestrallet 

Gérard Mestrallet, 53, is Chairman and Chief

Executive Officer of Suez. He graduated from the

Ecole Polytechnique, the Ecole de l’Aviation Civile

and the E.N.A. After occupying various posts at the

Ministry of the Economy and Finance, Gérard Mestrallet joined

Compagnie de Suez as Chargé de Mission in 1984, before being

appointed Deputy General Delegate in charge of industrial affairs in

1986. In 1991 he became a Director and Chairman of the

Management Committee of Société Générale de Belgique. In 1995,

he was appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of

Compagnie de Suez, and then in 1997 Chairman of the Management

Board of Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux. Mr Mestrallet is also a member

of the Supervisory Boards of AXA and Taittinger and a Director of

Crédit Agricole and Pargesa Holding. Within the Suez Group, Gérard

Mestrallet is Chairman of Société Générale de Belgique and of

Tractebel and Vice-Chairman of Hisusa and Sociedad General de

Aguas de Barcelona. In 2002 he was also a Director of Ondeo and

Frabepar, a member of the Supervisory Board of Casino, Crédit

Agricole Indosuez, Métropole Télévision M6, SAGEM and Société

du Louvre, and a permanent representative on the Board of Directors

of Fimalac and Le Monde Entreprises. Gérard Mestrallet owns 840

Saint-Gobain shares.

Shareholders are invited to renew Gérard Mestrallet’s term of office

in the seventh resolution.

Pierre Kerhuel 

Pierre Kerhuel, 59, is a Civil Engineering Graduate

of the Ecole des Mines de Nancy. He began his

career in 1967 in the IT department of Everitube,

which subsequently became Everite, part of the

Building Materials Division of the Saint-Gobain Group. He went on

to be successively appointed Head of Scheduling, Logistics, Sales

Management and Products, before becoming Sales Director – France

in 1977. In 1979 he was appointed as Marketing Director for Everitube

and in 1981 Sales Director. Between 1985 and 2000, he worked

as the Chief Executive Officer of Tuiles Lambert, before being 

appointed as Senior Vice-President of Saint-Gobain Terreal, part of

Saint-Gobain’s Tiles business, in November 2000. He has been a

member of the Supervisory Board of the Group Savings Plan Mutua

Funds since December 1999 and in December 2002 became

President of the Saint-Gobain Employees’ and Former Employees

Shareholders’ Association, replacing Jean-Maurice Malot. Pierre

Kerhuel is also a Director of Toit Dak, a Belgium-based Saint-Gobain

subsidiary.

Shareholders are invited to elect Pierre Kerhuel as a Director in the

eighth resolution.

Denis Ranque 

Denis Ranque, 51, is Chairman and Chief

Executive Officer of Thales. After graduating from

the Ecole Polytechnique and the Ecole des Mines

de Paris. Denis Ranque occupied various energyrelated posts at the Industry Ministry. He joined the Thomson Group

in 1983 as Corporate Strategy Director and went on to become

Aerospace Director for the Electronic Tubes Division. In 1986, he was

appointed Director of the High Frequency Tubes Department of the

division which was spun off in 1988 under the name Thomson Tubes

Electroniques (TTE). In 1989, he became Chief Executive Officer of

TTE, before taking up the position of Chairman and Chief Executive

Officer in 1991. In 1992, Denis Ranque became Chairman and Chief

Executive Officer of Thomson Sintra Activités sous-marines. He was

then appointed by Thomson-CSF and GEC-Marconi as Chief

Executive Officer of Thomson Marconi Sonar, a joint-venture created

in 1996 operating in sonar systems. Since January 1998, Denis

Ranque has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ThomsonCSF, which has now changed its corporate name to Thales.

He is also Chairman of the Board of Directors of l’Ecole Nationale

Supérieure des Mines de Paris, a Director of the Fondation de l’Ecole

Polytechnique and Chairman of the Cercle de l’Industrie since 2002

Shareholders are invited to elect Denis Ranque as a Director in the

ninth resolution.
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

OPERATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE BOARD 

OF DIRECTORS 

Acting upon the recommendations presented in the report by the

Appointments Committee, at its July 25, 2002 meeting, the Board

of Directors resolved that Jean-Louis Beffa, Chairman of the Board

of Directors and holding the title of Chairman and Chief Executive

Officer, would continue to be responsible for the general

management of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain for the term of his

directorship.

Acting upon the recommendation of the Chairman and Chief

Executive Officer, the Board of Directors resolved that Gianpaolo

Caccini would continue to exercise the duties of Chief Operating

Officer.

In accordance with the recommendations of the Bouton report, it

has been decided that the Board of Directors will issue internal rules

of operation in the course of 2003. Details of these will be provided

in the 2003 annual report. 

In addition, following the request of the Appointments Committee,

the Group has commissioned a specialized consultant to carry out

a formal appraisal of the operations of the Board of Directors. The

outcome of this appraisal will also be detailed in the 2003 annual

report. A similar type of evaluation was conducted in 2000(3)

enabling the Board to approve and enact from that date relevant

measures to provide Directors with information and documents

necessary for performing their tasks, especially prior to Board

meetings.

Since 2000, the Board of Directors has defined periods when

Directors are requested to abstain from carrying out any transaction

relating to Saint-Gobain shares. These periods cover the 45 days

preceding publication of the estimated annual and interim

consolidated financial statements, and the 15 days preceding

publication of the final version of the annual and interim

consolidated financial statements, as well as the trading day

following each of said publications. The Group’s other top executives

are also subject to these restrictions, as are employees with access

to “sensitive” information.

During all other periods, transactions concerning Saint-Gobain shares

may be carried out, except if certain specific information about SaintGobain or Saint-Gobain shares has not been rendered public and

which might otherwise have had an impact on the Saint-Gobain

stock price. 

In February 2003, in application of Commission des Opérations

de Bourse (COB) regulation 2002-01, the Company published on

the COB website declarations by the Group’s Directors and corporate

officers with regard to transactions in the second half of 2002

concerning the subscription, purchase or sale of Saint-Gobain shares

(excluding stock options) and any forward financial instruments

relating to Saint-Gobain shares. According to these declarations,

no such transactions had taken place. 

Lastly, the Board of Directors held seven meetings during fiscal 2002.

The attendance rate at these meetings was 84%.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ COMMITTEES

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS COMMITTEE

• Michel Pébéreau, Chairman 

• Isabelle Bouillot

• Gérard Mestrallet 

Two-thirds of the Committee is composed of independent directors

(see page 75). 

The Financial Statements Committee performs all of the tasks

recommended by the Viénot and Bouton reports. 

The Committee met four times in 2002. The attendance rate at

these meetings was 92%. 

At each meeting, the Committee reviewed issues with Group

Management, the Finance Department and the statutory auditors. 

Firstly, the Committee examined in detail prior to the Board meetings

the estimated consolidated financial statements (January), the

parent company’s accounts and the annual consolidated financial

statements (March), as well as the estimated and final interim

consolidated financial statements (July and September,

respectively).

Also at each meeting, a summary of the main points brought up

by the statutory auditors with the Finance Department during the

preparation of the financial statements was reviewed in the presence

of the statutory auditors, notably concerning significant risks and offbalance sheet commitments. 

At each meeting, the Committee was presented a status report on

asbestos-related litigation in the United States. In conjunction with

the statutory auditors, the Committee conducted a detailed review

of the financial impact and accounting implications of asbestos- (3) See 2000 Annual Report, page 55.
78

related litigation on U.S. subsidiaries concerned and on the Group

as a whole. This review was subsequently presented to the Board

of Directors. 

In addition, the Committee was informed by the auditors of the

amount of fees received from Group companies during 2001 in

relation to statutory audits, legal and tax advice, and advisory services.

Fees for the latter two categories did not exceed 37% of the total

amount of fees paid to one of the statutory auditors. The other

statutory auditor only received fees related to audit work. 

In addition, the Committee reviewed the budget for 2002 and

considered several issues related to changes in accounting

standards. It also reviewed the report on the operations of the

Treasury and Financing Department for the year ended December

31, 2001, the treasury and financing operations of the Benelux

Delegation in 2001 and the activity report of the Internal Audit

Department for 2001 as well as this Department’s audit program

for 2002 and activity report for the first half of 2002. 

The Committee presented its work to the Board of Directors at

meetings held on January 24, March 28, July 25 and September 19,

2002. 

APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE

• Bernard Esambert, Chairman

• Daniel Bernard

• Bruno Roger

Two-thirds of the Committee is composed of independent directors

(see page 75). 

The Appointments Committee also performs the work of a

remunerations committee, as provided for in the Viénot and Bouton

reports. 

The Committee met four times in 2002. The attendance rate at

these meetings was 83%. 

During these meetings, the Committee reviewed Saint-Gobain’s

stock options policy(4) and finalized its recommendations to the

Board of Directors concerning the number of beneficiaries and their

breakdown, as well as the general and specific conditions for

exercising the options and the performance conditions to which a

proportion of these options is subject. Prior to presenting them to

the Board, the Committee reviewed the proposed allocations of

stock options based on the objectives as defined, and finalized its

proposals for options to be granted to Group Management.(5)

The Committee also commissioned a specialized consultant to

compare total compensation of corporate officers with the

Company’s peers, based on the amount of the fixed compensation

and on criteria used to determine the variable portion. The

Committee presented its report to the Board of Directors and put

forward recommendations concerning compensation of corporate

officers for 2002 (see below). 

In addition, the Committee reviewed the nomination of Sehoon Lee

as Director and recommended his appointment to the Board.

The Committee presented its conclusions to the Board of Directors

at the meetings of March 28, July 25 and November 21, 2002. 

REMUNERATION OF DIRECTORS

The Ordinary and Extraordinary General Meeting of June 28, 2001

set the annual amount of attendance fees payable to Directors at

€500,000. 

The Board of Directors decided to allocate the amount according

to the following rules:

- The Chairman of the Company does not receive attendance fees

- Each of the other members of the Board of Directors is allocated

an annual lump sum of €16,000, to which is added €2,200 for

each meeting attended. 

- In addition, each Director who is a Chairman or member of the

Financial Statements Committee or Appointments Committee is

respectively allocated an annual lump sum of €4,600 or €1,600

to which is added €1,600 for each Committee meeting attended

- Lump-sum amounts are paid on an accruals basis when terms of

office begin or end in the course of the period. 

- Payments are made in arrears at the end of each half-year, and any

remaining balance in the allocated annual amount is distributed at

the outset of the following year proportionally to attendance at

Board meetings during the previous year. 

Attendance fees paid for fiscal 2002 amounted to €500,000

unchanged from the previous year. 

(4) Company policy on granting stock options and details of current stock option

plans are presented on pages 71 to 73. (5) See pages 71 and 72.
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

The net(6) individual amounts of attendance fees paid by the

Company to its Directors (including both lump-sum and variable

payments) for 2002 were as follows: Daniel Bernard €34,967,

Isabelle Bouillot €39,820, Rolf-E. Breuer €22,535, Paul A. David

€24,642, Bernard Esambert €46,396, Jean-Martin Folz €32,857,

Eric d’Hautefeuille €35,666, Sylvia Jay €26,750, José-Luis Leal

Maldonado €22,535, Sehoon Lee €3,456, Jean-Maurice Malot

€35,666, Jean-Marie Messier(7) €12,558, Gérard Mestrallet

€37,777, Michel Pébereau €45,630, Bruno Roger €45,439.

REMUNERATION OF CORPORATE OFFICERS

Attendance fees paid by the subsidiaries of Compagnie de SaintGobain to Directors representing the Group, particularly Group

Management, are either transferred by the individual to the company

which employs him or her, or are paid directly to the company. 

For companies in which the Group has interests but which are not

members of the Group, Director attendance fees paid to the

Chairman of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain are fully repaid to the

Company. 

Remunerations of Group officers are set with the dual aim, on the

one hand of placing them on a par with remuneration levels in

comparable industrial groups and on the other, structuring them in

a way that ensures that the personal work of these officers

contributes to growth in the Group’s results. 

To define a remuneration structure meeting these two criteria, Group

Management commissioned specialized consultants to produce

specific studies. 

Corporate officers’ remunerations have for several years included

a variable portion which is directly linked to the officer’s personal

involvement in leading an organization. This principle is gradually

being rolled out to all European countries which had not yet

developed pay schemes taking into account quantifiable data such

as return on assets (ROA) or the return on investment (ROI), as well

as more qualitative objectives such as the development of a specific

business line or the setting up of Group operations in a new country. 

The remuneration of corporate officers is now clearly tied to

management by objectives, requiring intense personal commitment

on their part, with the possibility of significant changes in pay from

one year to the next according to results. 

The total direct and indirect remuneration received in 2002 from

Group companies by Group Management, as defined below,

amounted to €13 million (the amount for 2001 was €12.9 million),

of which the variable portion represented €4.6 million (€4.7 million

in 2001).

The gross fixed remuneration, as well as compensation in kind, paid

in 2002 to Jean-Louis Beffa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,

and to Gianpaolo Caccini, Chief Operating Officer, by Group

companies(8) amounted respectively to €980,000 (€776,689

on a comparable basis in 2001) and €490,000 (€451,733 on a

comparable basis in 2001). Their variable remuneration is mainly

linked to changes in earnings per share (on a consolidated basis and

excluding capital gains on asset disposals and share buybacks) from

one year to the next, and secondly to growth in the Company’s

dividend distributions in relation to the amount distributed the

previous year. The estimated gross amount which should be paid

for 2002 by Group companies(8) comes to €660,000 for JeanLouis Beffa (€969,700 for 2001) and €330,000 for Gianpaolo

Caccini (€485,000 for 2001).

On a pro forma basis(9), all of the above remunerations represent

net compensation of approximately €770,000 for Jean-Louis Beffa

and €415,000 for Gianpaolo Caccini. 

Messrs. Beffa and Caccini do not receive any Director’s attendance

fees for their functions as corporate officers carried out in Group

companies(8).

(6) After deduction of the withholding tax for Messrs. Breuer, David, Leal Maldonado,

and Mrs. Jay, whose tax residence is outside France. (7) For the period covering January 1, 2002 to June 7, 2002, the date on which

Jean-Marie Messier’s resignation came into effect. (8) Meaning all French and foreign companies either fully consolidated or accounted

for by the equity method in the Group’s financial statements. (9) Gross remuneration minus income tax and payroll charges, i. e. approximately

53% on a pro forma basis.
80

GENERAL DELEGATES

OLIVIER DU BOUCHERON

General Delegate to Benelux

JEAN-CLAUDE BREFFORT

General Delegate to Brazil and Argentina

ROBERTO CALIARI

General Delegate to Italy and Greece

GILLES COLAS(6)

General Delegate to the Asia-Pacific region

JEAN LARONZE 

General Delegate to Poland

NIELS CHRISTIAN LÄRSEN

General Delegate to the Nordic Countries

and the Baltic States

ANAND MAHAJAN

General Delegate to India

PAUL NEETESON

General Delegate to Germany 

and Central and Eastern Europe

JEAN-FRANÇOIS PHELIZON 

General Delegate to the United States 

and Canada

GUY ROLLI 

General Delegate to Mexico, 

Venezuela and Colombia

PATRICK ROUX-VAILLARD(7)

General Delegate to the United Kingdom

and Ireland 

PIERRE TRACOL

General Delegate to Spain, Portugal 

and Morocco

GROUP MANAGEMENT (as of March 1, 2003)

(6) Patrick Roux-Vaillard up to January 31, 2003. (7) Pierre-André de Chalendar up to January 31, 2003.

EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT

JEAN-LOUIS BEFFA

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

GIANPAOLO CACCINI

Chief Operating Officer

JACQUES ASCHENBROICH

Senior Vice-President

PIERRE-ANDRÉ DE CHALENDAR(1)

Senior Vice-President

PHILIPPE CROUZET

Senior Vice-President

EMILE FRANÇOIS

Senior Vice-President

JEAN-FRANÇOIS PHELIZON

Senior Vice-President

CHRISTIAN STREIFF

Senior Vice-President

BERNARD FIELD 

Corporate Secretary

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

JEAN-LOUIS BEFFA

GIANPAOLO CACCINI

PHILIPPE CROUZET

BERNARD FIELD

Secretary to the Executive Committee

LAURENT GUILLOT

FUNCTIONAL MANAGEMENT

JEAN-CLAUDE LEHMANN

Vice-President, Research

NICOLE GRISONI-BACHELIER

Vice-President, External Relations 

LAURENT GUILLOT

Vice-President, Corporate Planning

SONIA SIKORAV(2)

Vice-President, Purchasing

PRESIDENTS OF THE DIVISIONS

JACQUES ASCHENBROICH

President, Flat Glass Division

ROBERTO CALIARI 

President, Reinforcements Division

PIERRE-ANDRÉ DE CHALENDAR(3)

President, Building Materials Distribution

Division

PETER DACHOWSKI

President, Insulation Division

MARTIN ELLIS

President, Building Materials Division

JÉRÔME FESSARD(4)

President, Containers Division

CLAUDE IMAUVEN

President, Pipe Division

CHRISTIAN STREIFF

President, Ceramics & Plastics Division

President, Abrasives Division(5)

(1) As from March 1, 2003. (2) As from July 1, 2002. (3) Emile François up to January 31, 2003. (4) Claude Picot up to January 31, 2003. (5) Gilles Colas, President of the Abrasives

Division up to May 31, 2002.
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

The Statutory Auditors of the Company are:

- PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit, 32 rue Guersant, F - 75017 Paris,

France, represented by Mike Moralee and Christian Marcellin,

reappointed on June 25, 1998 for a term of six years expiring at

the 2004 Annual General Meeting.

- La Société d’Expertise Comptable Economique et Financière

(SECEF), 3 rue de Turique, F - 54000 Nancy, France represented

by Jacques Tenette, reappointed on June 29, 2000 for a term of

six years expiring at the 2006 Annual General Meeting.

Saint-Gobain is a French public company regulated by articles L 210-1

et seq of the French Commercial Code, with its head office at Les

Miroirs, 18, avenue d’Alsace, 92400 Courbevoie, France. It is

registered with the Nanterre corporate register under reference

542039532 (activity code APE 741J), Siret number

54203953200040.

The Company’s corporate purpose may be summarized as the

carrying out and management in France and elsewhere of all

industrial, business, financial, plant, equipment and property

operations related to industrial and commercial activities, notably

through its French and foreign subsidiaries and affiliated companies

(Article 3 of the bylaws). The financial year of the company is from

January 1 to December 31. The company’s legal term expires on

December 31, 2040 unless it is dissolved prior to this date or an

extension is obtained. 

The official documents concerning the Company may be consulted

at the head office, Les Miroirs, 18 avenue d’Alsace, F - 92400

Courbevoie, France, Financial Communications Department.

SPECIAL CLAUSES IN THE BYLAWS

These are summarized below:

CAPITAL STOCK

The bylaws require the disclosure to the Company of each fractional

direct or indirect holding of 0.50% of the capital or voting rights or any

multiple of this percentage. The same obligation exists when a direct

or indirect holding falls below one of these thresholds. Violation of this

obligation can be sanctioned by the withdrawal of voting rights

exceeding the undeclared fraction, for a period of two years from

the date of disclosure of the undeclared holding, if one or more

shareholders holding at least 3% of share capital or voting rights so request

and this is included in the minutes of the General Meetings (Decisions

of the General Meetings of June 23, 1988 and June 15, 1990). 

Furthermore, the Company can request information relating to the

composition of shareholdings and the owners of its shares in

accordance with legislation and regulations in force.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The company has a Board of Directors made up of at least three

members and not more than fifteen.

Each Director must own at least two hundred Company shares(8)

(Ordinary and Extraordinary General Meetings of June 24, 1999 and

June 28, 2001).

GENERAL MEETINGS

Any shareholder may attend a general meeting in person or be

represented by proxy, subject to providing proof of identity and

evidence of ownership of shares as indicated in the notice of

meeting, at least five days before the date of the general meeting

and in accordance with legal requirements concerning the

attendance of shareholders at a general meeting. However the

Board of Directors may decide to shorten or waive this mandatory

lead time provided the change is applied to all shareholders equally.

A shareholder may only be represented by his/her spouse or by

another shareholder. Legal entities which hold shares may be

represented at meetings by their legal representatives or by any

other person so designated by the legal representative.

The voting rights attached to each share belong to the beneficial

owner at all shareholders’ general meetings. Each shareholder has

the right, without any limitation, to the number of votes attached

to or represented by his shares.

However double voting rights are granted in respect of all fully

paid up shares registered for two years in the name of the same

shareholder. In addition, when the capital is increased by the

capitalization of reserves, profits or issue premiums, a right to a

double vote is granted on issue to each bonus share distributed free

of charge to a shareholder owning shares giving rise to this right

(Decision of the General Meeting of February 27, 1987).

STATUTORY AUDITORS OF THE COMPANY

(8) Before the four-for-one stock split.

BYLAWS
82

Any share converted into bearer form or whose ownership is

transferred loses the right to a double vote. Nevertheless transfers

resulting from an inheritance or from the liquidation of the joint

estate of a husband and wife or donations inter vivos in respect of

a husband, wife or parent entitled to share in the estate of an

intestate, do not result in the loss of the right and do not interrupt

the two-year period referred to in the previous paragraph. Voting

by mail is subject to the conditions and restrictions laid down in legal

and regulatory provisions.

APPROPRIATION OF NET INCOME

An amount of at least 5% of net income, less losses of prior years

if applicable, will be appropriated so as to set up the legal reserve

required by law. This appropriation ceases to be obligatory when the

legal reserve is 10% of the capital. Further appropriations must be

made if the reserve falls below 10% of the capital.

Distributable income is comprised of the net income for the year,

less losses brought forward from prior years and any amount to

be appropriated to reserves as a result of legal or statutory

requirements, plus any retained earnings. Out of distributable

income, the General Meeting appropriates successively:

1. Amounts judged appropriate by the Board of Directors to set up

contingency or extraordinary reserves or to be carried forward to

the following year;

2. From any remaining balance, the amount necessary to pay

shareholders a preliminary dividend of 5% on their fully paid up

and non-redeemed shares without however conferring a right, if

the profit of a year does not permit such a distribution, to claim

any such unpaid amounts in future years;

3. Amounts available after such appropriations to be distributed to

shareholders.

The General Meeting which approves the financial statements fo

the year has the power to grant to each shareholder, in respect of

all or part of a dividend or an interim dividend to be distributed

the choice of payment in cash or in shares.

No new regulated agreements were entered into in 2002.

REGULATED AGREEMENTS ENTERED INTO DURING THE YEAR
VI - RISK MANAGEMENT

SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

MARKET RISKS: INTEREST-RATE, FOREIGN

CURRENCY AND CREDIT RISKS

LIQUIDITY RISK

In 2002, the Group scaled back its net debt to €7 billion from

€7.8 billion. It also extended the average life of its borrowings,

with long-term debt increasing from €5.2 billion to €6.2 billion.

US$ 300 million worth of bonds reached maturity and the Group

carried out two new issues: a €920 million issue of Océane bonds

(convertible into either new or existing shares) in February, maturing

on January 1, 2007, plus a US$ 500 million bond issue in May,

maturing on June 20, 2007. As of year-end 2002, substantially all

of the Group’s long-term debt was composed of bond issues,

amounting to 5.3 billion. The remaining amount comprised private

issues, medium-term notes, perpetual loans and finance leases. 

At the same date, the Group’s short-term debt totaled €2.1 billion,

versus €4.2 billion a year earlier. It mainly consisted of bank overdrafts,

treasury notes, euro commercial paper and US commercial paper, and

the portion of long-term debt maturing in 2003. 

The reduction in total debt on the one hand and the extension of

the average life of borrowings on the other enabled the Group to

reduce short-term net debt (debt due in one year less cash and cash

equivalents) from €2.5 billion to below €800 million. 

In addition to the Group’s recourse to US commercial paper, euro

commercial paper, treasury notes and medium-term notes,

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain has access to confirmed lines of credit

(syndicated loans and bilateral lines) totaling €2.5 billion at

December 31, 2002. This represents more than three times the

amount of net debt maturing in 2003. None of the lines were drawn

down in 2002. 

A breakdown of long-and short-term debt is provided by type and

maturity in Note 20 to the consolidated financial statements. Details

of amounts, currencies, and early repayment terms and conditions

of the Group’s financing programs and confirmed credit lines are

also discussed in this Note.

INTEREST-RATE RISK

Interest rate risk relating to the Group’s total net indebtedness is

managed by the Treasury Department of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain.

Net indebtedness is determined by means of a reporting system in

which subsidiaries provide a breakdown of debt between long- and

short-term and fixed and variable rate, together with details on interest

rates and hedging instruments by line of debt. Subsidiaries hedge risks 

on debt exclusively with Compagnie de Saint-Gobain, the Group

parent company.

The main objective of managing overall interest rate risk on the Group’s

consolidated net debt is to fix the cost of the medium-term debt and

to optimize annual borrowing costs. The Group’s policy defines which

derivative financial instruments can be used to hedge the debt. These

instruments may include rate swaps (either in the same currency or

cross-currency swaps), options and forward rate agreements. These

instruments are traded over-the-counter with counterparties meeting

minimum rating standards as defined in the Group’s financial policy.

The weighted average interest rate on total debt after giving effect to

hedging instruments (rate swaps and caps) was 4.7% for the year

ended December 31, 2002 (5% in 2001 and 5.8% in 2000).

After giving effect to hedging instruments, at December 31, 2002,

77% of Group debt was at fixed rates of interest and 23% was at

variable rates. A 1% rise in interest rates would have a €15.8 million

impact on net interest expense in 2003.

Net debt at December 31, 2002 after the effect of cross-currency

swaps was 55% in EUR, 27% in USD and 16% in GBP, with the

remaining amount in other currencies.

Details concerning interest rates on the Group’s main borrowings

and hedging instruments (rate swaps and options) are provided in

Note 21 to the consolidated financial statements, as is the Group’s

debt structure before and after using said hedging instruments.

FOREIGN CURRENCY RISK

The Group’s policy on currency risk consists of hedging commercial

transactions carried out by Group entities in currencies other than

their functional currencies. Compagnie de Saint-Gobain and its

subsidiaries may use options and forward contracts to hedge

exposure arising from commercial transactions. Options are set up

exclusively with Compagnie de Saint-Gobain, the parent company

of the Group, which then takes a reverse position on the market.

Most forward contracts are for periods of around three months.

However, forward contracts taken out to hedge firm orders may have

terms of up to two years. Subsidiaries are authorized to enter into

forward contracts with their banks for periods of less than two years. 
84

The majority of transactions are hedged, invoice by invoice or order

by order, with Saint-Gobain Compensation, the entity set up to

manage the Group’s currency risks. Saint-Gobain Compensation

hedges these risks solely by means of forward purchases and sales

of foreign currencies. This enables companies to hedge exposure

arising from commercial transactions as soon as the risk emerges.

Saint-Gobain Compensation reverses all its positions with Compagnie

de Saint-Gobain and does not therefore have any open positions.

The exposure of other Group companies to currency risks is hedged

with Compagnie de Saint-Gobain as soon as the latter receives

orders sent by the subsidiaries or by cash pools of the National

Delegations. Exposure may also be hedged with the banks of the

subsidiaries concerned. Total unhedged transactions for these

companies amounted to €48 million at December 31, 2002. If

the euro dropped by 1 cent against the Group’s trading currencies,

the impact would be less than €1 million, which is not material at

the level of the consolidated financial statements.

EQUITY RISK

The Group is not exposed to equity risk, as it always favors moneymarket funds and/or bonds when purchasing mutual funds or

equivalents, and is therefore not exposed to any equity risk on its

short-term investments.

The Group previously held a portfolio of shares in listed companies.

All of these shares have been sold, apart from 12.3 million Vivendi

Universal shares. These shares are carried in the balance sheet at

their historical cost of €13.88 per share, representing a total of

€171 million.

INDUSTRIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS

Substantially all of the Group’s industrial and environmental risks

represent one type of risk, stemming from the storage of certain

types of hazardous materials. 

Nine Group sites are classified as presenting “major technological

risks” within the meaning of European and North American

regulations, and are therefore subject to specific legislation that is

carefully monitored by the regulatory authorities. In 2002, eight

Saint-Gobain sites were classed in the “Seveso” category in Europe,

as a result of storage of certain hazardous materials. A site based

at Lake Charles in the United States falls under both the Risk

Management Program Rule and the Emergency Planning and

Community Right to Know Act, as it uses vinyl chloride. 

Sites classified as “Seveso” in Europe are as follows: 

FRANCE

Abrasives Division: Conflans Saint-Honorine site: Seveso low

threshold (storage of phenolic resin and natural and sodium

cryolite aluminium fluoride)

Containers Division: Mers-les-Bains site: Seveso low threshold

(storage of oxygen and hydrodgen)

Flat Glass Division: Bagneaux-sur-Loing site: Seveso low threshold

(storage of arsenic in the form of arsenious anhydrid)

GERMANY

Containers Division: Neuburg site: Seveso low threshold (storage of

liquid petroleum gas (LPG)

DENMARK

Insulation Division: Vamdrup site: Seveso low threshold (storage

of phenol and formaldehyde)

SPAIN

Insulation Division: Azuqueca de Henarès site: Seveso low threshold

(storage of phenol and formaldehyde)

FINLAND

Insulation Division: Hyvinkää site: Seveso high threshold (storage of

more than 200t of phenol and formaldehyde – 230t and 400t

respectively)

SWEDEN

Insulation Division: Vrena site: Seveso low threshold (storage of

liquid petroleum gas – LPG)

Specific risk prevention and safety measures have been put in place

at each of these sites. 

Once the plants identify the risk of accidents and the potential impact

on the environment they take preventive measures relating to the

design and construction of storage facilities, as well as conditions

of use and maintenance. Crisis plans have been set up and are

currently being finalized. In early 2003, the Group launched a system

aimed at closely monitoring all of the above sites. 

The Group’s other major industrial facilities are subject to a permits

regime and are thus regularly monitored by local regulatory

authorities. 
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

LEGAL RISKS

The Group is not subject to any specific regulations which could have

an impact on its situation, although companies running industrial

sites are generally required to comply with specific national

legislation and regulations that vary from country to country. In the

case of France, for example, Group sites are subject to laws and

regulations on regulated facilities (installations classées). The Group

has no significant technical or commercial dependence on any other

companies, is not subject to particular confidentiality restrictions, and

has the assets it requires to run its operations.

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain is assessed for income tax on its

consolidated fiscal income as provided for under article 209

quinquies of the French Tax Code (CGI) as well as the integrated tax

(Intégration Fiscale) system as provided for under article 223 A et

seq. of the CGI. The tax consolidation agreement in force covers the

fiscal years 2001, 2002 and 2003.

The legal risk to which the Group is most exposed is asbestos-related

litigation, both in France and – above all – in the United States. 

In France, at December 31, 2002, almost 400 lawsuits based on

“inexcusable fault” (“faute inexcusable”) had been filed for asbestosrelated occupational diseases against Everite and Saint-Gobain PAM,

which in the past had carried out fiber-cement operations. In addition,

63 suits based on inexcusable fault had been filed against seven other

French companies in the Group, in particular involving circumstances

where equipment containing asbestos had been used to protect

against heat from furnaces. At December 31, 2002 compensation

due from the first two companies amounted to a total of €4 million.

Further details of these claims are provided in Note 31 to the

consolidated financial statements.

In the United States, the total number of new asbestos-related claims

filed - principally against CertainTeed – increased significantly in

2001 and 2002. Before 2001 approximately 20,000 new claims

were filed against CertainTeed per year. The multiplication of class

actions, which had previously been rare, drove an increase in new

claims to 60,000 in 2001 and approximately 67,000 in 2002.

Almost all of the claims against CertainTeed are settled out of court.

Some 44,000 such settlements were entered into in 2002, leaving

some 107,000 claims outstanding at December 31, 2002,

compared with 84,000 a year earlier.

The average individual cost of settlement based on all claims settled

decreased to US$1,955 in 2002, from US$2,800 a year earlier.

However, in view of the significant increase in the number of new claims

filed over the last two years, the overall cost for the Group has also risen

considerably. In view of all of these developments and taking into

account insurance coverage available, the Group recorded a €100

million charge in 2002 to make provision for such claims. This amount

represents 6% of net income excluding profit on sales of non-current

assets and 5% of consolidated free cash flow for 2002. At December

31, 2002 the Group’s total cover for asbestos-related claims against

CertainTeed in the United States amounted to €426 million, comprised

of insurance coverage available at that date and the provision referred

to above. This cover represents approximately 4 to 5 years of total

compensation payments based on the current rate of new claims

arising and average unit cost of settlement.

Further details on asbestos-related claims in the United States is

provided in note 31 to the consolidated financial statements.

INSURANCE – COVERAGE OF POTENTIAL RISKS 

Insurance coverage is structured on a Group-wide basis, with the

Divisions’ and Delegations’ Insurance Correspondents liaising

between the Corporate Insurance Office and operating units. 

In the case of recurring risks with limited financial consequences,

insurance coverage is contracted locally.

Saint-Gobain entities that may be potentially exposed to significant

losses may be authorized to contract insurance coverage locally, but

are required to comply with Group doctrine, which takes into account

conditions in the insurance market. Insurance policies are centrally

coordinated and monitored by the Risks and Insurance Department,

which defines Group doctrine.

Two types of policy are covered by the Group doctrine: property

damage policies, which mitigate losses resulting from damage to

buildings, assets and inventories; and liability policies, which allow

entities to protect themselves, within the limits set by insurers and

in as cost-efficient a manner as possible, against the financial

consequences of third-party liability claims arising from operations

and products. 

Property damage is insured in parallel with business interruption.

The Group has named perils policies in every country where it

conducts operations, except when local regulations do not permit

this type of policy, such as in Brazil, China and India. 

Third-party liability is covered by two insurance programs, one for

the subsidiaries of Saint-Gobain Corporation and the other for all
86

non North American subsidiaries. The United States and Canada

have named perils coverage. Liability cover for all other countries

is structured in such a way that the Company’s named perils policy

will cover subsidiaries that have no or insufficient local coverage. 

As regards property-related insurance, there are cases when losses

arising from natural catastrophes, pollution, information technology

viruses and terrorist acts are not covered, or have low coverage.

With respect to liability insurance, there are cases when bodily injury

or third-party property claims arising from gradual pollution,

terrorism, or sub-standard performance of delivered products, are

not covered or have low coverage, either because coverage is not

available, or because the insurance costs are too high.

It has not been deemed advisable to disclose the breakdown of

costs and coverage level for each of the above risks, due to reasons

relating to confidentiality and the complex nature of the insurance

programs.

Joint ventures and companies not controlled by the Group are not

included in the above programs. They arrange insurance cover

themselves and have lower coverage levels.
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

STATEMENTS

FINANCIAL

Consolidated 

financial statements

Financial statements of 

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain(parent compan
88

VII - CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AT DECEMBER 31

ASSETS Notes 2002 2001 2000

(In € millions)

Goodwill (3) 5,521 6,065 6,004 

Other intangible assets, net (4) 1,914 1,805 1,766 

7,435 7,870 7,770 

Property, plant and equipment (5) 22,069 23,258 21,938 

Less accumulated depreciation (5) (12,687) (12,909) (11,825)

9,382 10,349 10,113 

Investments in equity investees (6) 114 169 393 

Investments, at cost (7) 144 171 178 

Non-current marketable securities (8) 175 176 310 

Other non-current assets (9) 1,590 943 766 

2,023 1,459 1,647 

Non-current assets 18,840 19,678 19,530 

Inventories (10) 4,664 5,075 4,752 

Trade accounts receivable, net (11) 4,264 4,552 4,643 

Other accounts receivable (12) 1,010 1,228 1,161 

Short-term loans (20) 162 245 139 

Marketable securities (8) 469 406 530 

Cash and cash equivalents (20) 739 958 666 

Current assets 11,308 12,464 11,891 

Total assets 30,148 32,142 31,421 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Notes 2002 2001 2000

(In € millions)

Capital stock 

(at Dec. 31, 2002 made up of 341,010,680 €4 par value shares;

at Dec. 31, 2001: 85,258,628 €16 par value shares,

at Dec. 31, 2000: 85,213,263 €16 par value shares) 1,364 1,364 1,363 

Additional paid-in capital and legal reserve 2,264 2,249 2,270 

Retained earnings and net income for the year 9,204 8,540 7,760 

Cumulative translation adjustments (1,438) (161) (310)

Treasury stock (13) (79) (67) (182)

Shareholders’ equity 11,315 11,925 10,901 

Minority interests (14) 227 423 823 

Net equity of consolidated entities 11,542 12,348 11,724 

Non-voting participating securities (15) 391 391 391 

Pensions and other post-retirement benefits (16) 2,353 1,836 1,752 

Deferred tax liability (17) 696 685 709 

Other liabilities (18) 1,084 1,255 1,318 

Long-term debt (20) 6,238 5,247 4,999 

Shareholders’ equity and non-current liabilities 22,304 21,762 20,893 

Trade accounts payable 3,352 3,425 3,378 

Other payables and accrued expenses (19) 2,348 2,801 2,597 

Current portion of long-term debt (20) 487 991 1,859 

Short-term debt and bank overdrafts (20) 1,657 3,163 2,694 

Current liabilities 7,844 10,380 10,528 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity 30,148 32,142 31,421 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
90

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

The number of shares at December 31, 2001 and 2000 has been multiplied by four to reflect

the four-for-one stock split of June 27, 2002 in order to facilitate comparisons with the figure at

December 31, 2002.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. 

Notes 2002 2001 2000

(In € millions)

Net sales 30,274 30,390 28,815 

Cost of sales (22,670) (22,692) (20,669)

Gross margin 7,604 7,698 8,146 

Selling, general and administrative expenses including research (22) (4,712) (4,774) (5,209)

Other operating costs (23) (310) (243) (244)

Operating income 2,582 2,681 2,693 

Dividend income 22 32 24 

Interest and other financial charges, net (24) (504) (603) (612)

Non-operating costs (25) (252) (122) (158)

Income before profit on sales of non-current assets and taxes 1,848 1,988 1,947 

Profit on sales of non-current assets, net (26) 3 84 584 

Provision for income taxes (17) (612) (721) (791)

Net operating income from consolidated companies 

before amortization of goodwill 1,239 1,351 1,740 

Amortization of goodwill (169) (184) (182)

Net operating income from consolidated companies 1,070 1,167 1,558 

Share in net results of equity investees (6) 4 7 84 

Net income before minority interests 1,074 1,174 1,642 

Minority interests in consolidated companies (14) (34) (40) (125)

Net income 1,040 1,134 1,517 

Earnings per share (in €)

Weighted average number of shares in issue 336,727,133 334,139,384 332,216,856

Income before tax and minority interests per share 5.01 5.67 7.32

Basic earnings per share 3.09 3.39 4.57

Weighted average number of shares assuming full dilution 354,006,928 335,593,088 333,425,704

Income before tax and minority interests per share (diluted) 4.82 5.65 7.30

Diluted earnings per share 2.98 3.38 4.55

Number of shares in issue at December 31 341,010,680 341,034,512 340,853,052

Income before tax and minority interests per share 4.94 5.56 7.14

Earnings per share 3.05 3.33 4.45
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

2002 2001 2000

(In € millions)

Net income 1,040 1,134 1,517

Minority interests 34 40 125

Excess of income of equity investees over dividends (1) 7 (46)

Depreciation and amortization 1,603 1,636 1,631

Profit on sales of non-current assets (3) (84) (584)

Cash flows from operations 2,673 2,733 2,643

(Increase) decrease in inventories 97 (167) (224)

(Increase) decrease in trade accounts and other accounts receivable 329 219 40

Increase (decrease) in trade accounts payable, other payables and accrued expenses (63) (92) (73)

Changes in income taxes payable and deferred taxes (120) 8 141

Other (50) (159) (115)

Net change in working capital 193 (191) (231)

Cash flows from operating activities 2,866 2,542 2,412

Purchases of property, plant and equipment (1,431) (1,430) (1,722)

Acquisitions of businesses in 2002: (599); in 2001: (764); in 2000: (2,913), 

net of cash acquired (575) (717) (2,709)

Disposals of consolidated investments, net of cash 104 140 943

Disposals of investments at cost 19 379 497

Acquisitions of investments at cost (31) (52) (59)

Disposals of tangible and intangible assets 201 141 105

(Increase) decrease in marketable securities (100) 115 67

Other (236) (68) 114

Cash flows from investing activities/divestments (2,049) (1,492) (2,764)

Issues of capital stock 164 129 213

Minority interests’ portion in capital stock increases of subsidiaries 15 13 28

Increases in treasury stock (159) (31) (375)

Dividends paid (378) (357) (284)

Dividends paid to minority shareholders of consolidated subsidiaries (19) (30) (91)

(Increase) decrease in short-term loans 222 (16) 61

Increase (decrease) in long-term debt 777 (805) 1,152

Increase (decrease) in bank overdrafts and other short-term debt (1,597) 335 (425)

Cash flows from financing activities (975) (762) 279

Net effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (61) 4 10

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (219) 292 (63)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 958 666 729

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 739 958 666
92

* Before the four-for-one stock split

At December 31, 2002 the number of shares making up Compagnie de Saint-Gobain’s capital stock totaled 341,010,680. 

In accordance with the authorizations to increase capital stock granted by the Ordinary and Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meetings of June 28, 2001 and June 6, 2002,

the Board of Directors may issue, in one or several stages, up to 190 million new shares with or without preemptive or priority subscription rights for Compagnie 

de Saint-Gobain shareholders (ninth and tenth resolutions of the Meeting of June 28, 2001), as well as 11,296,604 new shares offered for subscription by members of the Group Savings Plan (eleventh and twelfth resolution of the Meeting of June 28, 2001 and the seventh resolution of the Meeting of June 6, 2002). If these authorizations were used in full by the Board of Directors, the number of shares making up Compagnie de Saint-Gobain’s capital stock would be increased to 542,307,284.

Translation adjustments at December 31, 2002 include a net amount of €61 million (€62 million at December 31, 2001 and €61 million at December 31, 2000) in adjustments arising from the translation of the balance sheets of companies outside the euro zone. These adjustments will be taken to the statement of income in the event

that the companies are sold.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. 

(Number of shares) (In € millions)

Issued Excluding Capital Additional Retained Cumulative Treasury Shareholders’ 

treasury stock paid-in earnings translation stock equity

stock capital and net adjustments

and legal income for

reserve the period

Balance at December 31, 1999 87,236,750 83,658,800 1,396 2,651 6,468 (543) (434) 9,538 

Issues of capital stock

- Group savings plan 1,956,224 1,956,224 31 175 206

- Stock option plans 88,854 88,854 1 6 7

Net income for 2000 1,517 1,517

Dividends paid (per share: €3.60) (284) (284)

Translation adjustments 233 233

Treasury stock purchased (2,494,342) (376) (376)

Treasury stock canceled (4,068,565) (65) (562) 627 0

Treasury stock sold 6,756 1 1

Change of method (pensions and 

and postretirement benefit obligations) 59 59

Balance at December 31, 2000 85,213,263 83,216,292 1,363 2,270 7,760 (310) (182) 10,901

Issues of capital stock

- Group savings plan 903,150 903,150 14 106 120

- Stock option plans 121,778 121,778 2 7 9

Net income for 2001 1,134 1,134 

Dividends paid (per share: €4.30) (357) (357)

Translation adjustments 149 149

Treasury stock purchased (242,048) (37) (37)

Treasury stock canceled (979,563) (15) (134) 149 0

Treasury stock sold 54,868 3 3 6

Balance at December 31, 2001 85,258,628 84,054,040 1,364 2,249 8,540 (161) (67) 11,925

Stock-split 255,775,884 252,162,120

Issues of capital stock

- Group savings plan 4,703,396 4,703,396 19 140 159

- Stock option plans 226,480 226,480 1 4 5

Net income for 2002 1,040 1,040

Dividends paid (per share: €4.50)* (378) (378)

Translation adjustments (1,277) (1,277)

Treasury stock purchased (5,403,148) (162) (162)

Treasury stock canceled (4,953,708) (20) (129) 149 0

Treasury stock sold 107,976 2 1 3 

Balance at December 31, 2002 341,010,680 335,850,864 1,364 2,264 9,204 (1,438) (79) 11,315

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN CONSOLIDATED 

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

NOTE 1 – ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES 

AND POLICIES

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The consolidated financial statements of Compagnie de SaintGobain and subsidiaries (together “the Group”) have been prepared

in accordance with French generally accepted accounting principles.

Effective January 1, 2000 the Group elected to determine pension

and postretirement benefits obligations according to the projected

unit credit method in compliance with both French generally

accepted accounting principles and U.S. GAAP. The effect of this

change in method was a €59 million increase in consolidated

shareholders’ equity at January 1, 2000.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with French

generally accepted accounting principles requires management to

make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts

of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and

liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the

reported amounts of expense or income during the year. Actual

results may differ from those estimates.

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION

The consolidated financial statements include the financial

statements of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain and all significant

majority-owned subsidiaries, as well as subsidiaries in which the

Group holds a controlling interest, either directly or indirectly.

Companies that are jointly owned are proportionately consolidated.

Companies in which the Group exercises directly or indirectly a

significant influence are consolidated by the equity method.

Investments in other companies, in which the Group does not

exercise significant influence, are stated at cost. A provision is made

where necessary to reduce the cost to estimated net realizable value.

The results of companies acquired or disposed of during the year

are included in the consolidated statement of income for the period

after the date of acquisition or before the date of disposal,

respectively.

Significant changes in the Group’s structure for the year ended

December 31, 2002 are shown in note 2. A summary list of

significant consolidated companies as of December 31, 2002 is

shown in note 34.

All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated

in consolidation.

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the exchange rate

prevailing on the transaction date. Receivables, payables and bank

balances in foreign currencies are generally translated at the yearend rate and the related exchange differences are recorded in the

income statement.

TRANSLATION OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

OF FOREIGN COMPANIES

Balance sheet items are translated using year-end exchange rates.

Income and expenditure items are translated using the average

exchange rate for the year.

The Group’s share of any translation gains and losses less any related

tax effect, is included in Shareholders’ Equity under the caption

“Cumulative translation adjustments” until such time as the foreign

investments to which they relate are sold or liquidated.

GOODWILL

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value

of net assets acquired. Goodwill is amortized on a straight-line basis

over its expected useful life for a period not exceeding 40 years.

OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Other intangible assets include purchased goodwill, patents,

trademarks, computer software, and debt issuance costs.

Trademarks, other than retail brands, are amortized on a straight-line

basis over a period not exceeding 40 years. Retail brands are not

amortized.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
94

Patents and purchased computer software are amortized over

their estimated useful lives. Patents are amortized over a period

not exceeding 20 years. Purchased software is amortized over a

period of 3 to 5 years.

Debt issuance costs relating to bonds or other long-term borrowings

are capitalized and amortized over the term of the debt.

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost except for the fixed

assets of subsidiaries operating in formerly highly inflationary

countries which have been revalued in accordance with the

provisions of local laws.

Property, plant and equipment is depreciated on a straight-line basis

over the following estimated useful lives:

Investment grants relating to acquisitions of non-current assets are

deferred, recorded under “Other payables and accrued expenses”

and credited to income over the estimated useful lives of the

relevant assets.

Upon retirement or sale, the cost of the assets disposed of and the

related accumulated depreciation are written off from the balance

sheet and any resulting gains or losses are recognized in the income

statement.

VALUATION OF NON-CURRENT ASSETS

The Group examines on a regular basis the carrying value of noncurrent assets, including goodwill, other intangible assets, and

property, plant and equipment. The carrying value of a non-current

asset is considered permanently impaired when the estimated

undiscounted future cash flows relating to the asset are less than

its carrying value. In that event, exceptional depreciation is recorded

to write down the carrying value of the asset to fair value. Fair value

is generally determined using estimated future cash flows

discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved.

LEASES

Assets held under leases which transfer to the Group substantially

all of the risks and rewards of ownership are capitalized as property,

plant and equipment. The capitalized values of the assets are

depreciated on a straight-line basis over the useful life of the assets.

The corresponding liability is shown net of related interest in the

balance sheet.

Operating lease rentals are expensed in the year in which they are

incurred.

INVENTORIES

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and market. Cost is

generally determined using the weighted-average cost method, and

in some cases, the First-In-First-Out method.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Group uses derivative financial instruments for the purpose of

hedging currency and interest rate exposures that exist as part of

ongoing business operations.

In order to anticipate future developments in the accounting

treatment of financial instruments, the Group amended its

accounting policies in 2001 in order to take into account fair value

The presentation of the financial statements for the year ended

December 31, 2002 is unchanged from prior years.

The main financial instruments used to hedge foreign exchange

risks are forward purchase and sale contracts and options. Hedged

receivables and payables are recorded in the balance sheet at

the hedging rate. The portion representing the extrinsic (time)

value of unrealized gains or losses on currency options used to

hedge the above positions is taken to income, and the portion

representing intrinsic value is recorded in the balance sheet

Unrealized losses on options which are not classified as hedges

are recognized in the income statement, whereas unrealized gains

are not taken into account.

The Group uses interest-rate swaps and swaptions (caps and floors)

as well as forward rate agreements to hedge its exposure to

increases in interest rates. Gains and losses related to interest-rate

swaps are recognized on a symmetrical basis with the losses and

gains on the hedged items.

The portion representing the extrinsic (time) value of unrealized

gains or losses on interest rate options used to hedge the above

positions is taken to income and the portion representing intrinsic

value is recorded in the balance sheet. Interest-rate options which

are not classified as hedges are recognized in the income statement

at market value.

Major factories and offices 40 years

Other buildings 15 -25 years

Production machinery and equipment 5 -16 years

Vehicles 4 years

Furniture, fixtures, office and computer equipment 4 -16 years
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

MARKETABLE SECURITIES

Marketable securities consist of shares in subsidiaries and affiliates,

units in mutual funds and short-term investments. They are recorded

at the lower of cost and market. 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

This item consists of cash on hand and balances with banks.

PENSIONS AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

After retirement the Group’s former employees receive pensions in

accordance with applicable laws and customs in the respective

countries in which the Group operates. There are additional pension

obligations in certain Group companies, in France and other countries.

In France, employees receive indemnities on retirement based on

past service and other terms in accordance with the respective

collective bargaining agreements.

The Group’s obligations in respect of pensions and retirement

indemnities are determined using an actuarial method based

on projected end-of-career salaries (the projected unit credit

method) taking into account the specific economic conditions

applicable in each country. These obligations are covered by

retirement funds and provisions recorded in the balance sheet.

Effective from January 1, 2000, the method adopted complies

with both French generally accepted accounting principles and

U.S. GAAP.

In the United States, Spain and Germany, retired employees receive

benefits other than pensions, mainly concerning healthcare. The

Group’s obligations in this respect are determined using an actuarial

method and are covered by a provision recorded in the balance sheet.

In addition, in the United States, certain benefits such as income

support and healthcare may be granted to former employees before

their retirement. The present value of these obligations is

determined using rates applied for pensions and is covered by a

provision recorded in the balance sheet. 

NEGATIVE SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

When shareholders’ equity of a consolidated subsidiary is negative

at the end of the financial period, the minorities’ share of

shareholders’ equity is expensed by the Group unless the third

parties have a specific obligation to contribute their share of losses.

If these companies return to profit, the Group’s equity in their

earnings is recorded by the majority shareholder up to the amount

required to cover losses recorded in prior years.

REVENUE RECOGNITION

Revenue from sales of products or services is recognized when the

risks and rewards of ownership are transferred to the customer or

following delivery of the service, net of sales taxes and discounts.

The liability for incurred warranty claims is accrued when it is

determined that a liability exists and that payment is probable.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and

recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses. 

INTEREST CHARGES

All interest charges are expensed as incurred except for charges

incurred during the construction of significant non-current assets,

which are capitalized and included in the construction cost of the

related non-current assets.

INCOME TAXES

Under an agreement with the French tax authorities, Compagnie de

Saint-Gobain is assessed for income tax purposes on its consolidated

fiscal income. The amounts payable or receivable by Compagnie

de Saint-Gobain resulting from the application of the agreement are

included in other accounts receivable and other payables.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are calculated using the liability

method, based on temporary differences between the values of

assets and liabilities recorded in the financial statements and those

used for tax purposes. Tax rates applicable to future periods are used

to calculate year-end deferred income tax amounts.

A provision is recorded against deferred tax assets corresponding

to tax loss carryforwards and deductible temporary differences when

it is more likely than not that the asset will not be realized. Under the

worldwide tax regime, the valuation allowance is assessed at the tax

group level for companies included in the tax consolidation and at

the individual tax entity level for companies not included in the tax

consolidation.

No provision is made in respect of earnings of subsidiaries that are

not intended to be distributed.

In accordance with section 3150 of CRC regulation 99-02, deferred

taxes have not been discounted.

A deferred tax liability is recorded on retail brands valued in the

consolidated financial statements, even when they cannot be sold

separately from the company being acquired. In view of the Group’s
96

expectations with regard to future developments, it has been

decided to maintain the method used prior to the adoption of CRC

regulation 99-02. The amount of deferred tax assets recorded for

retail brands appears in note 17.

ADVERTISING COSTS

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.

EARNINGS PER SHARE

The Group discloses earnings per share, based on net income and

based on income before tax and minority interests.

Earnings per share are calculated by dividing earnings by the average

number of shares in issue during the period, after deduction of

treasury stock.

Diluted earnings per share are calculated by including in the average

number of shares the conversion of all dilutive share equivalents

in issue.

The Group also discloses earnings per share calculated by dividing

earnings by the number of shares in issue at the end of the fiscal year.

NOTE 2 - CHANGES IN GROUP STRUCTURE

No material companies were fully consolidated for the first time in

2002. However, the Group purchased all outstanding minority

interests in the Lapeyre Group thus raising its stake from 74.68% to

100%. 

At December 31, 2002 the effect on balance sheet captions of

changes in Group structure and in consolidation methods is as

follows:

In 2001 the Group issued public tender offers for the minority

interests in Saint-Gobain Cristalería for €231 million, in SaintGobain Vidros for €79 million, in Saint-Gobain Canalizaçao fo

€17 million and in Brasilit for €18 million. 

The Group’s consolidated financial statements for 2000 included

the results of Essilor which was fully consolidated up to June 30

2000, then accounted for by the equity method until November 15

2000, when the Group disposed of its entire stake in the company

The consolidated financial statements therefore do not include any

results of Essilor after that date.

Increase Decrease Total

(In € millions)

Impact on assets

Non-current assets 415 (40) 375 

Inventories, trade and other 

accounts receivable 195 (65) 130 

610 (105) 505 

Impact on liabilities

Minority interests (165) 3 (162)

Long-term liabilities 77 3 80 

Payables 95 (6) 89 

Debt and overdrafts* 4 (2) 2 

11 (2) 9 

Impact of acquisitions, 

disposals and changes 

in consolidation methods 599 (103) 496 

Cash and cash equivalents (24) (1) (25)

Net impact on cash flows 575 (104) 471 

(*) Representing the net indebtedness of the Group.
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

If Essilor had been accounted for by the equity method for the full

year in 2000, the consolidated statement of income for that year

would have been as follows:

NOTE 3 – GOODWILL

In 2002, “Acquisitions” includes €58 million in goodwill recognized

on the purchase of minority interests in the Lapeyre Group, which was

acquired for €350 million. Movements in “Translation adjustments

and impact of disposals” primarily reflect changes in the US dollar

exchange rate over the year.

In 2001, changes in goodwill mainly related to the first-time

consolidation of several medium-sized companies.

In 2000, changes in goodwill mainly related to the sale of Essilor and

to the consolidation for the first time of the Meyer Group –

renamed Saint-Gobain Building Distribution – (acquisition price of

€1,783 million and goodwill of €778 million), the Raab Karcher

Group (acquisition price of €195 million and goodwill of

€110 million), Chemfab (acquisition price of €190 million and

goodwill of €84 million) and Holz Precision (acquisition price of

€109 million and goodwill of €69 million). 

2000

(In € millions) pro forma

Net sales 27,837 

Cost of sales (20,268)

Gross margin 7,569 

Selling, general and administrative expenses 

including research (4,765)

Other operating costs (241)

Operating income 2,563 

Dividend income 24 

Interest and other financial charges, net (594)

Non-operating costs (157)

Income before profit on sales 

of non-current assets and taxes 1,836 

Profit on sales of non-current assets, net 584 

Provision for income taxes (758)

Net operating income from consolidated

companies before amortization of goodwill 1,662 

Amortization of goodwill (171)

Net operating income from consolidated companies 1,491 

Share in net results of equity investees 103 

Net income before minority interests 1,594 

Minority interests in consolidated companies (77)

Net income 1,517 

Earnings per share (in €)

Weighted average number of shares in issue 332,216,856(*) 

Income before tax and minority interests per share 7.08 

Basic earnings per share 4.57 

Weighted average number of shares 

assuming full dilution 333,425,704(*) 

Income before tax and minority interests per share 7.05 

Diluted earnings per share 4.55 

Number of shares in issue at December 31 340,853,052(*) 

Income before tax and minority interests per share 6.90 

Earnings per share 4.45 

(*) Number of shares adjusted to reflect the four-for-one stock split of June 27, 2002. 

2002 2001 2000

(In € millions)

Net book value at January 1 6,065 6,004 4,981

Acquisitions 178 164 1,623

Translation adjustments 

and impact of disposals (519) 106 (412)

Amortization for the year (203) (209) (188)

Net book value at December 31 5,521 6,065 6,004
98

NOTE 4 – OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

Changes in other intangible assets are summarized below: Intangible assets break down as follows:

Because their fair value is at least equal to cost, retail brands do

not require a provision for impairment in value.

Changes in “Retail brands” in 2002 mainly concern the addition of

the Lapeyre brand in an amount of €189 million, based on the

allocation of goodwill determined after the purchase of the minority

interests in the group. 

2002 2001 2000

(In € millions)

Net book value at January 1 1,805 1,766 1,155 

Additions and changes in Group structure 290 113 844 

Disposals (4) (12) (144)

Translation adjustments (94) 22 (10)

Amortization for the year (83) (84) (79)

Net book value at December 31 1,914 1,805 1,766 

At December 31

(In € millions) 2002 2001 2000

At cost

Purchased goodwill 84 82 74 

Patents 171 197 183 

Retail brands 1,516 1,376 1,344 

Computer software 344 293 227 

Other 327 369 355 

Total at cost 2,442 2,317 2,183 

Amortization and provisions for impairment in value

Purchased goodwill (43) (41) (36)

Patents (124) (134) (119)

Computer software (196) (166) (123)

Other (165) (171) (139)

Total amortization and provisions for 

impairment in value (528) (512) (417)

Other intangible assets - net 1,914 1,805 1,766 

2002 At Dec. 31 Changes in Acquisitions Disposals Transfers Translation Depreciation At Dec. 31 

2001 Group adjustments charge 2002

(In € millions) structure

At cost:

Land 1,290 25 26 (29) 7 (81) - 1,238 

Buildings 5,567 43 156 (110) 106 (412) - 5,350 

Machinery and equipment 15,539 (74) 509 (591) 623 (1,324) - 14,682 

Construction in progress 862 44 740 (11) (736) (100) - 799 

Total at cost 23,258 38 1,431 (741) 0 (1,917) - 22,069 

Depreciation:

Land (84) (5) - 2 5 (9) (91)

Buildings (2,501) (23) - 79 140 (241) (2,546)

Machinery and equipment (10,319) 75 - 521 779 (1,101) (10,045)

Construction in progress (5) 0 - 0 0 0 (5)

Total depreciation (12,909) 47 - 602 0 924 (1,351) (12,687)

Net book value 10,349 85 1,431 (139) 0 (993) (1,351) 9,382 

NOTE 5 – PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

As an industrial group, Saint-Gobain does not have a significant nonoperating property portfolio, except for its head office building.

2001 At Dec. 31 Changes in Acquisitions Disposals Transfers Translation Depreciation At Dec. 31 

2000 Group adjustments charge 2001

(In € millions) structure

At cost:

Land 1,236 55 41 (50) (8) - 1,290 

Buildings 5,199 98 144 (87) 150 63 - 5 567 

Machinery and equipment 14,671 154 569 (539) 484 200 - 15,539

Construction in progress 832 (4) 676 (27) (634) 19 - 862 

Total at cost 21,938 303 1,430 (703) 0 290 - 23,258 

Depreciation:

Land (73) - 1 - (12) (84)

Buildings (2,279) (23) - 32 (8) (223) (2,501)

Machinery and equipment (9,454) (133) - 480 (79) (1,133) (10,319)

Construction in progress (19) - 13 1 (5)

Total depreciation (11,825) (156) - 526 0 (86) (1,368) (12,909)

Net book value 10,113 147 1,430 (177) 0 204 (1,368) 10,349

2000 At Dec. 31 Changes in Acquisitions Disposals Transfers Translation Depreciation At Dec. 31 

1999 Group adjustments charge 2000

(In € millions) structure

At cost:

Land 970 245 32 (29) 16 2 - 1,236 

Buildings 4,442 485 191 (86) 104 63 - 5,199

Machinery and equipment 13,873 (312) 834 (513) 522 267 - 14,671 

Construction in progress 970 (166) 665 (23) (642) 28 - 832

Total at cost 20,255 252 1,722 (651) 0 360 - 21,938 

Depreciation:

Land (61) (7) - 4 - (9) (73)

Buildings (2,087) (8) - 49 (19) (214) (2,279)

Machinery and equipment (8,848) 224 - 427 (110) (1,147) (9,454)

Construction in progress (41) 22 - - 0 - 0 (19)

Total depreciation (11,037) 231 - 480 0 (129) (1,370) (11,825)

Net book value 9,218 483 1,722 (171) 0 231 (1,370) 10,113
100

Property, plant, and equipment include the following acquired under

capital leases:

The depreciation and amortization charge is as follows:

In 2002, the Group recorded a total charge of €46 million for the

write-down of certain goodwill and assets to net realizable value

based on estimated future discounted cash flows, compared with

€105 million in 2001 and €64 million in 2000.

NOTE 6 – INVESTMENTS IN EQUITY INVESTEES

The Group’s share in net income of equity investees (companies

in which the Group exercises significant influence and some nonstrategic companies controlled by the Group) can be analyzed as

follows:

Essilor was fully consolidated in the Group’s financial statements unti

June 30, 2000, and was then accounted for by the equity method

up to the date when Compagnie de Saint-Gobain disposed of its

entire stake in the company. Essilor contributed €19 million to

consolidated results in 2000. 

The reduction in investments in equity investees in 2001 was

primarily due to the proportional consolidation, effective from

January 1, 2001, of Hankuk Glass and its subsidiaries which were

previously accounted for by the equity method. Hankuk Glass

Industries contributed €34 million to consolidated results in 2000

No material changes in investments in equity investees occurred

in 2002. 

NOTE 7 – INVESTMENTS AT COST

At December 31

(In € millions) 2002 2001 2000

At cost

Land and buildings 164 181 173

Machinery and equipment 41 46 47

Total assets under capital leases - gross 205 227 220

Depreciation (88) (100) (93)

Net book value 117 127 127

2002 2001 2000

(In € millions) Gross book Net book Gross book Net book Gross book Net book

value value value value value value

At January 1 233 171 224 178 432 351 

Acquisitions 31 31 52 52 59 59 

Disposals (10) (7) (10) (7) (40) (25)

Provisions for impairment in value for the year - (1) - (20) - (2)

Changes in Group structure (44) (48) (33) (32) (235) (212)

Translation adjustments (4) (2) 8 7 

At December 31 206 144 233 171 224 178 

The fair value of these investments approximates their net book value.

2002 2001 2000

(In € millions)

Amortization of other intangible assets (note 4) 83 84 79

Amortization of goodwill 169 184 182

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment* 1,351 1,368 1,370

Total depreciation and amortization 1,603 1,636 1,631

*Included in cost of sales 1,174 1,204 1,275

2002 2001 2000

(In € millions)

At January 1 169 393 439

Changes in Group structure (35) (216) (80)

Dividends paid (3) (14) (38)

Share in net income of equity investees 4 7 84

Translation adjustments (21) (1) (12)

At December 31 114 169 393
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

NOTE 8 – CURRENT AND NON-CURRENT

MARKETABLE SECURITIES

Marketable securities include units in SICAV and other mutual funds

as well as short-term investments recorded at the lower of cost and

market. All of these marketable securities are variable-income.

Unrealized gains on marketable securities are not considered as

material in the consolidated financial statements.

Marketable securities which cannot be recognized as cash

equivalents are considered by the Group as “available for sale”. The

breakdown of these marketable securities is shown below:

The average weighted price of Vivendi Universal shares suffered a

sharp fall in the month prior to March 20, 2003, the accounts-closing

date. As a result, the estimated market value of these shares at that

date was €157 million, compared with €190 million at December

31, 2002. 

The decrease in marketable securities in 2001 reflected the sale

of BNP Paribas shares.

Gross book Net book Unrealized estimated

value value gains market (In € millions) value(1)

At December 31, 2002 

Vivendi Universal 171 171 19 190

Other interests 7 4 2 6

Non-current marketable securities 178 175 21 196

Total marketable securities 469 469 - 469

At December 31, 2001 

Vivendi Universal 171 171 586 757

Other interests 7 5 2 7

Non-current marketable securities 178 176 588 764

Total marketable securities 406 406 - 406

At December 31, 2000

BNP Paribas 132 132 191 323

Vivendi Universal 171 171 692 863

Other interests 7 7 9 16

Non-current marketable securities 310 310 892 1,202

Total marketable securities 530 530 - 530

(1) Based on stock market prices at December 31.
102

NOTE 9 – OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS

“Retirement benefits – Additional minimum liability” and “Pre-paid

pension costs” are a result of the adoption in 2000 of US generally

accepted accounting principles relating to pensions and other

postretirement benefits. 

The rise in “Retirement benefits – Additional minimum liability” at

December 31, 2002 is mainly due to the decrease in the fair value

of retirement funds, leading to an increase in the related provisions.

In accordance with French generally accepted accounting principles,

the total additional minimum liability has been recorded under “Other

non-current assets”. Under US generally accepted accounting

principles, part of the commitment – in an amount of €877 million

(€124 million in 2001 and €51 million in 2000) – would be

recorded as a deduction from shareholders’ equity, net of tax.

NOTE 10 – INVENTORIES

At December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, raw materials, work in

progress and finished goods as well as provisions for impairment

in value of inventories can be analyzed as follows:

NOTE 11 – TRADE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

Trade accounts receivable are short-term receivables.

Changes in provisions for doubtful accounts:

In 2002, the total charge related to unrecoverable receivables

amounted to €93 million (2001: €115 million; 2000: €84 million)

The Group has a securitization program in place in the United States

which is explained in note 21.

NOTE 12 – OTHER ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

All amounts recorded under “Other accounts receivable” are due

within one year.

At December 31

(In € millions) 2002 2001 2000

Advances to suppliers 53 88 76

Prepaid payroll taxes 18 26 24

Other prepaid and recoverable taxes 356 348 399

Accrued income 188 194 121

Other receivables 401 578 545

Provisions for impairment in value (6) (6) (4)

Other accounts receivable 1,010 1,228 1,161

2002 2001 2000

(In € millions)

At January 1 (405) (349) (300)

Movement for the year 4 (27) (2)

Changes in Group structure (1) (26) (44)

Translation adjustments 20 (3) (3)

At December 31 (382) (405) (349)

At December 31

(In € millions) 2002 2001 2000

Trade accounts receivable 4,646 4,957 4,992

Less provisions for doubtful accounts (382) (405) (349)

Net trade accounts receivable 4,264 4,552 4,643

At December 31

(In € millions) 2002 2001 2000

At cost:

Raw materials and supplies 1,184 1,376 1,250 

Work in progress 352 390 417 

Finished goods 3,534 3,728 3,436 

Gross inventories 5,070 5,494 5,103 

Provisions for impairment in value: 

Raw materials and supplies (89) (93) (87)

Work in progress (16) (14) (22)

Finished goods (301) (312) (242)

Provisions for impairment in value (406) (419) (351)

Net inventories 4,664 5,075 4,752 

At December 31

(In € millions) 2002 2001 2000

Capitalized loans and deposits 517 441 313 

Retirement benefits – Additional minimum liability 946 130 57 

Prepaid pension costs 127 372 396 

Other non-current assets 1,590 943 766 
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

NOTE 13 – TREASURY STOCK

Further to the four-for-one stock split of June 27, 2002, the number

of shares at December 31, 2001 and 2000 has been multiplied

by four in order to permit year-on-year comparisons.

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain capital stock held by consolidated

Group companies is shown as a separate deduction from

shareholders’ equity under “Treasury stock”, at historical cost. Total

shares held in treasury stock were 5,159,816 at December 31,

2002, 4,818,352 at December 31, 2001 and 7,987,884 at

December 31, 2000.

In 2002, the Group purchased 5,403,148 Compagnie de SaintGobain shares on the stock market (2001: 968,192 shares; 2000:

9,977,368 shares) and re-sold 107,976 of them (2001: 219,472;

2000: 27,024).

In addition, 4,953,708 shares were canceled in 2002, further to the

3,918,252 shares canceled in 2001 and 16,274,260 in 2000.

Share buybacks in 2002, 2001 and 2000 were carried out for

several different purposes, but specific numbers of shares were

not assigned to each objective. Therefore, the shares concerned

were recorded as treasury stock.

NOTE 14 – MINORITY INTERESTS

In 2002, the bulk of the decrease in this item reflects the purchase

of the outstanding minority interests in the Lapeyre Group during

the first half of the year. 

The decrease in this item in 2001 primarily reflected the purchase

of almost all of the minority interests in Saint-Gobain Cristalería,

Saint-Gobain Vidros, Saint-Gobain Canalizaçao and Brasilit.

The decrease in minority interests in 2000 primarily reflected the

deconsolidation of Mexalit and of the Essilor Group, which was fully

consolidated up to June 30, 2000.

NOTE 15 – NON-VOTING PARTICIPATING

SECURITIES

The Group issued 700,000 non-voting participating securities in

French francs in 1983 and 100,000 non-voting participating

securities in ecus in 1984. The non-voting participating securities are

not redeemable. Their remuneration is included in financial charges.

These securities were converted into euros in 1999.

Each security carried a coupon which gave the holder the right to

subscribe to a new non-voting participating security until January

1988 for securities issued in 1983 and until February 1987 for

securities issued in 1984. 588,299 securities and 194,633 securities

respectively were issued on the exercise of the coupons.

The remuneration of the 1,288,299 non-voting participating

securities issued in 1983, up to a limit equal to 125% of the average

rate of interest on bonds, includes a fixed interest element and a

variable portion based on the consolidated net income of the Group.

The remuneration of the 194,633 non-voting participating securities

issued in 1984 comprises a fixed interest element applicable to

60% of the nominal value of the security and equal to 7.5% per

annum and a variable amount on the remaining 40% based on

the consolidated net income of the previous year, within the limits

fixed in the prospectus.

At December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000, participating securities

issued were as follows:

The remuneration of non-voting participating securities during the

period 2000 to 2002 was as follows:

2002 2001 2000

(In € millions)

At January 1 423 823 1,613 

Net income for the year 34 40 125 

Dividends paid by consolidated subsidiaries (19) (30) (91)

Minority interests’ share in capital 

stock increases of subsidiaries 15 13 28 

Purchase of shares in consolidated companies 

from minorities (155) (346) (11)

Changes in Group structure 13 (79) (865)

Translation adjustments (84) 2 24 

At December 31 227 423 823 

2002 2001 2000

(In € millions)

Securities issued in 1983 

(indexed on average bond rates) 196 196 196

Securities issued in 1984 (indexed on Euribor) 195 195 195

Total 391 391 391

2002 2001 2000

(In € millions)

Securities issued in 1983 12 13 14

Securities issued in 1984 14 14 15

Total 26 27 29
104

NOTE 16 – PENSIONS AND OTHER POST

RETIREMENT BENEFITS

PENSION AND RETIREMENT INDEMNITIES

Pension obligations are determined by actuarial valuations using a

method based on projected end-of-career salaries (the projected

unit credit method). Effective from January 1, 2000, the method

adopted complies with both French generally accepted accounting

principles and U.S. GAAP. The total liability in respect of pension

obligations to retired employees as well as the liability concerning

the vested rights of employees has been determined. For retirement

indemnities, the commitment based on estimated total service in

the Group is determined and provision made for past service using

the straight-line method.

Assumptions as to mortality, employee turnover and salary

projections take into account the economic conditions specific to

each country and company. Interest rates used in 2002 to determine

the present value of future commitments are generally between 4%

and 7.25% depending on the country.

In determining the provision detailed below, the market value of the

pension funds is deducted from the total obligation.

At December 31, 2002 France Other European countries North America Rest of the world Net total

Pension and Plans with Plans with Plans with Plans with Pension and

retirement assets in accumulated assets in accumulated retirement

indemnities excess of benefits in excess of benefits in indemnities

accumulated excess of plan accumulated excess of plan (In € millions) benefits assets benefits assets

Projected benefit obligation 420 261 2,766 12 1,498 32 4,989 

Plan assets 98 323 1,514 12 1,087 27 3,061 

Benefits in excess of (less than) 

plan assets 322 (62) 1,252 0 411 5 1,928 

Deferred variances (56) (39) (716) (4) (402) 3 (1,214)

Pension liability (asset) recognized

in the balance sheet 266 (101) 536 (4) 9 8 714 

Accruals for related benefits 6 247 253 

Total net obligation 266 (101) 542 (4) 256 8 967 

Minimum additional liability 

(see note 9) 946 

Prepaid pension cost

(see note 9) 127 

Contractual termination 

indemnities 82 

Insurance funding 231 

Total obligations provided 2,353
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

Deferred variances include actuarial variances, variances arising from

modifications to plans and adjustments to opening balances. They

are amortized over the average remaining service period or average

remaining life expectancy of the relevant beneficiary.

At December 31, 2001 France Other European countries North America Rest of the world Net total

Pension and Plans with Plans with Plans with Plans with Pension and

retirement assets in accumulated assets in accumulated retirement

indemnities excess of benefits in excess of benefits in indemnities

accumulated excess of plan accumulated excess of plan (In € millions) benefits assets benefits assets

Projected benefit obligation 419 461 2,518 29 1,553 48 5,028 

Plan assets 107 491 1,282 33 1,467 39 3,419 

Benefits in excess of (less than) 

plan assets 312 (30) 1,236 (4) 86 9 1,609 

Deferred variances (48) (5) (527) (6) (71) (2) (659)

Pension liability (asset) recognized

in the balance sheet 264 (35) 709 (10) 15 7 950 

Accruals for related benefits 6 297 303 

Total net obligation 264 (35) 715 (10) 312 7 1,253 

Minimum additional liability 

(see note 9) 130

Prepaid pension cost 

(see note 9) 372 

Contractual termination 

indemnities 81 

Total obligations provided 1,836

At December 31, 2000 France Other European countries North America Rest of the world Net total

Pension and Plans with Plans with Plans with Plans with Pension and

retirement assets in accumulated assets in accumulated retirement

indemnities excess of benefits in excess of benefits in indemnities

accumulated excess of plan accumulated excess of plan (In € millions) benefits assets benefits assets

Projected benefit obligation 401 1,690 1,061 1,310 90 48 4,600 

Plan assets 105 2,123 56 1,547 7 38 3,876 

Benefits in excess of (less than) 

plan assets 296 (433) 1,005 (237) 83 10 724 

Deferred variances (36) 99 (2) 176 (12) 225

Pension liability (asset) recognized

in the balance sheet 260 (334) 1,003 (61) 71 10 949 

Accruals for related benefits 5 275 280 

Total net obligation 260 (334) 1,008 (61) 346 10 1,229

Minimum additional liability 

(see note 9) 57

Prepaid pension cost 

(see note 9) 396 

Contractual termination 

indemnities 70 

Total obligations provided 1,752
106

For the French companies in the Group, a pension fund is being

gradually built up by contributions to an insurance company.

Contributions to the fund amounted to €22 million in 2002,

€21 million in 2001 and €23 million in 2000.

For the Saint-Gobain Group, vested rights (obtained by the

beneficiaries of the retirement plans) amount to €4,338 million.

They represent obligations to pensioners and in certain countries

(mainly the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom) the

vested rights of employees who are not obliged to remain with the

companies until retirement in order to benefit under the plans.

The pension charge is as follows:

OTHER POST-RETIREMENT AND POST-EMPLOYMENT

BENEFITS 

Obligations for other post-retirement and post-employment benefits

are determined by actuarial valuations. Amounts provided cover the

liabilities concerning pensioners and the vested rights of employees.

The assumptions as to mortality, employee turnover and interest

rates used to determine future benefits are those used for the

determination of the pension liability.

The charge for other post-retirement and post-employment benefits

is as follows:

CONTRACTUAL TERMINATION INDEMNITIES

Provisions include contractual termination indemnities payable to

employees in certain countries, particularly Italy, on retirement o

departure from the company for other reasons. These indemnities

are determined based on the calculation methods applicable in

the country concerned and are not based on actuarial calculations

INSURANCE FUNDING

This item corresponds to amounts payable in the future to insurance

companies under the funded retirement schemes for Group

employees in Spain.

NOTE 17 – PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain is assessed for income tax purposes

on its consolidated fiscal income. The fiscal agreement, which

covered the years 1998 to 2000, was renewed on March 4, 2002

for the years 2001 to 2003. As a result of this agreement the

Group’s share of the aggregate amount of income taxes paid by

Group companies included in the worldwide tax group is taken into

account when determining consolidated fiscal income.

Also, under the terms of Article 223 et seq. of the General Tax Code

(Code Général des Impôts), Compagnie de Saint-Gobain has opted

for the integrated tax (Intégration Fiscale) system in addition to

the consolidated tax system described above.

The net income of companies included in the tax group is as follows

2002 2001 2000 This income breaks down as follows:

(In € millions)

Vested rights 12 11 10

Interest 22 23 20

Variances - 2 2

Total 34 36 32

2002 2001 2000

(In € millions)

Vested rights 139 131 117

Interest 304 294 260

Return on funds (294) (295) (258)

Variances 16 9 10

Total 165 139 129

2002 2001 2000

(In € millions)

Net income of companies included in the tax group 1,070 1,167 1,558

Income tax expense 612 721 791

Income of companies included in tax group 

before income taxes 1,682 1,888 2,349

2002 2001 2000

(In € millions)

French companies 656 948 1,360

Non-French companies 1,026 940 989

Income of companies included in tax group 

before income taxes 1,682 1,888 2,349
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

The provision for income tax is as follows:

In 2002, the provision for income tax represents 36% of total Group

income before tax (38% in 2001 and 34% in 2000). The effective

tax rates are determined as follows:

At December 31, 2002 the provision for deferred taxes recorded

in the balance sheet can be analyzed as follows:

The principal components of the net deferred tax liability are as

follows:

NOTE 18 – OTHER LIABILITIES

The presentation of the tables below has been changed due to the

new rules relating to the presentation of provisions. They are now

presented according to whether the related charges are included

in operating or non-operating expense, rather than based on their

form as in previous years. 

2002 2001 2000

(In € millions)

Pensions 204 229 171

Retail brands (373) (349) (340)

Depreciation (365) (411) (364)

Other (162) (154) (176)

Total net deferred tax liability (696) (685) (709)

(In € millions)

At January 1, 2002 685

Movement for the year (3)

Translation adjustments (44)

Effect of changes in Group structure and other 58

At December 31, 2002 696

2002 2001 2000

(Percentages)

Current income tax rate 33 33 33

Surcharge on French income tax 1 1 2

Technical assistance fees and net capital gains

taxed at lower rates (1) (2) (2)

Other, including amortization of goodwill 3 6 1

Effective rate 36 38 34

2002 2001 2000

(In € millions)

Current taxes (615) (701) (723)

France (207) (274) (327)

Outside France (408) (427) (396)

Deferred taxes 3 (20) (68)

France (21) 3 (38)

Outside France 24 (23) (30)

Total provision for income tax (612) (721) (791)

2002 At Jan. 1 Impact on Payments Changes in Translation At Dec. 31

2002 income net Group adjustments 2002

statement structure and

(In € millions) reclassifications

Provision for customer warranties 162 42 (42) 11 (13) 160 

Provision for major repairs 109 15 (22) (85) (4) 13 

Provision for personnel costs 109 23 (17) (13) (10) 92 

Provision for other contingencies 261 11 (57) (62) (17) 136 

Provisions for operating contingencies and charges 641 91 (138) (149) (44) 401 

Provisions for non-operating contingencies and charges 477 173 (133) 104 (59) 562 

Provision for unrealized foreign exchange losses 2 (2)

Badwill 135 (34) 20 121 

Total 1,255 230 (273) (25) (103) 1,084
108

PROVISIONS FOR OPERATING CONTINGENCIES 

AND CHARGES

Additions to and reversals from these provisions are recorded under

operating income and expense.

Provision for customer warranties

This provision covers the Group’s commitments in relation to

warranties granted to customers. 

Provision for major repairs

In 2002, this provision is intended to cover the costs of demolition

and scrapping of assets which require cyclical upgrades, particularly

furnaces in our various operations. 

Provision for personnel costs

This provision mainly covers indemnities due to personnel unrelated

to reorganization operations. At December 31, 2002 the provision

totaled €92 million and primarily concerned North America

(€49 million) as well as Germany and Central Europe (€29 million). 

Provision for other contingencies

At December 31, 2002 provisions for other contingencies amounted

to €136 million and essentially concerned France (€39 million)

Germany and Central Europe (€24 million), the United Kingdom

and Ireland (€19 million) and North America (€21 million). 

PROVISIONS FOR NON-OPERATING CONTINGENCIES 

AND CHARGES

Additions to and reversals from these provisions are recorded unde

non-operating expense and income.

Asbestos-related risks

The provision for asbestos-related risks has been set up as a topup to the Group’s insurance cover to provide for the costs of

asbestos-related lawsuits issued against the Group, particularly in the

United States. The provisions cover the costs of lawsuits currently

in progress as well as potential new claims.

2001 At Jan. 1 Impact on Payments Changes in Translation At Dec. 31 

2001 income net Group adjustments 2001

statement structure and

(In € millions) reclassifications

Provision for customer warranties 170 47 (68) 9 4 162

Provision for major repairs 125 (10) (27) 20 1 109 

Provision for personnel costs 157 22 (16) (57) 3 109 

Provision for other contingencies 217 48 (80) 75 1 261 

Provisions for operating contingencies and charges 669 107 (191) 47 9 641

Provisions for non-operating contingencies and charges 548 46 (166) 35 14 477 

Provision for unrealized foreign exchange losses 1 1 2

Badwill 101 (25) 59 135 

Total 1,318 129 (356) 141 23 1,255

2000 At Jan. 1 Impact on Payments Changes in Translation At Dec. 31 

2000 income net Group adjustments 2000

statement structure and

(In € millions) reclassifications

Provision for customer warranties 130 22 (14) 28 4 170 

Provision for major repairs 125 4 (33) 29 125 

Provision for personnel costs 84 25 (15) 61 2 157 

Provision for other contingencies 112 35 (98) 166 2 217 

Provisions for operating contingencies and charges 451 86 (160) 284 8 669

Provisions for non-operating contingencies and charges 525 117 (162) 50 18 548 

Provision for unrealized foreign exchange losses 2 (2)

Badwill 85 (6) 22 101 

Total 1,061 199 (324) 356 26 1,318 
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

At December 31, 2002, the asbestos-related provision amounted

to €332 million compared with €207 million at December 31,

2001 and €197 million at December 31, 2000. A €104 million

charge to this provision was recorded in 2002. Insurance

settlements receivable for accepted claims and amounts paid in

advance totaled €214 million at December 31, 2002 compared

with €218 million at December 31, 2001 and €147 million at

December 31, 2000. These amounts are included in “Other noncurrent assets”. 

Asbestos-related risks are described in further detail in note 31. 

Environmental risks 

This provision is intended to cover costs for environmental protection

measures and site clean-ups. After a net charge to the provision of

€4 million during the year, it totaled €66 million at December 31,

2002, compared with €66 million at December 31, 2001 and €80

million at December 31, 2000. 

Provision for restructuring costs

Provisions for restructuring costs concern commitments in relation

to the reorganization of the Group’s operations. €57 million was

charged to provisions for restructuring costs in 2002 and at

December 31, 2002, they amounted to €149 million (compared

with €196 million at December 31, 2001 and €259 million at

December 31, 2000). These provisions primarily concern France

(€22 million), Germany and Central Europe (€54 million) and

the Benelux countries (€25 million). Restructuring costs are

described in note 25.

Provision for risks relating to subsidiaries and affiliates

This provision is intended to cover financial risks in relation to certain

subsidiaries, particularly when the Group intends to divest these

companies. After a net charge to the provision of €8 million during

the year, it totaled €15 million at December 31, 2002, compared

with €8 million at December 31, 2001 and €12 million at

December 31, 2000. 

PROVISIONS FOR UNREALIZED FOREIGN EXCHANGE LOSSES

Changes in provisions for unrealized foreign exchange losses impact

net interest and other financial charges.

BADWILL

Badwill is amortized on a straight-line basis over a period not

exceeding 40 years.

NOTE 19 – OTHER PAYABLES 

AND ACCRUED EXPENSES

At December 31

(In € millions) 2002 2001 2000

Customer deposits 109 79 72

Income tax payable 138 277 292

Payable to suppliers of non-current assets 146 210 229

Grants 31 30 33

Accrued personnel expenses 770 756 703

Accrued taxes other than on income 242 254 237

Other * 912 1,195 1,031

Total 2,348 2,801 2,597

* Including €77 million relating to cross-currency swaps at December 31, 2002 and €261 million at December 31, 2001 (see note 21).
110

NOTE 20 – LONG-TERM 

AND SHORT-TERM DEBT

BREAKDOWN OF LONG-TERM AND SHORT-TERM DEBT

Long–term and short-term debt consist of the following:

Liquidity risk management

In 2002, the Group significantly decreased total debt and reduced

the portion of short-term debt by extending the life of borrowings

In 2002, US$300 million worth of bonds reached maturity and the

Group carried out two new issues: a €920 million issue of

OCÉANES bonds (convertible into either new or existing shares)

in February, maturing on January 1, 2007, plus a US$500 million

bond issue in May, maturing on June 20, 2007.

Maturities of long- and short-term debt are as follows:

At December 31

(In € millions) 2002 2001 2000

Long-term debt:

Bond issues 5,273 4,196 3,565

Private placement notes in euros 443 451 471

Medium Term Notes 170 198 450

Perpetual bonds 33 33 33

Other long-term debt including leasing 319 369 480

Total long-term debt 6,238 5,247 4,999

Short-term debt:

Current portion of long-term debt 487 991 1,859

Borrowings due in less than one year 

(US CP, euro CP and Billets de Trésorerie) 636 1,491 923

Bank overdrafts and other short-term bank 

borrowings 1,021 1,672 1,771

Total short-term debt 2,144 4,154 4,553

Total debt 8,382 9,401 9,552

Short-term loans (162) (245) (139)

Total marketable securities (469) (406) (530)

Cash and cash equivalents (739) (958) (666)

Net indebtedness 7,012 7,792 8,217

(1) Including portion of long-term debt due in less than one year.

Maturities at December 31 2002

Bond Private MTN Other Total 2001 2000

(In € millions) issues placement notes

2002 - - - - - 698

2003 - - - - - 279 282

2004 275 62 45 69 451 446 417

2005 1,192 90 - 63 1,345 1,372 1,360

2006 572 53 77 22 724 800

2007 1,397 223 48 19 1,687

Repayment beyond 6 years 1,837 15 - 146 1,998 2,317 2,209

Unspecified (including perpetual bonds) 33 33 33 33

Total long-term debt 5,273 443 170 352 6,238 5,247 4,999

Short-term debt(1) 152 13 46 1,933 2,144 4,154 4,553

Total debt 5,425 456 216 2,285 8,382 9,401 9,552
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

Back-up credit lines

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain’s US Commercial Paper, EuroCommercial Paper, Billets de Trésorerie and Medium Term Notes

programs are backed by two confirmed syndicated lines of credit

of €600 million and €1,200 million, expiring in September 2006

and November 2007 respectively, as well as 12 bilateral credit lines

totaling €753 million at December 31, 2002. 

No drawdowns were made against any of these credit lines in 2002.

Commitment fees amounted to €2.5 million, compared with

€1.9 million in 2001.

The loan agreements include various convenants which, if violated,

would result in the facilities becoming immediately repayable or

being withdrawn. These convenants are as follows:

- for four bilateral credit lines representing €381 million and

the two syndicated credit lines: ratio of net debt to cash flow

from operations capped at 4 or 3 and/or interest cover ratio

capped at 2. At December 31, 2002, the Group’s ratio of net

debt to cash flow from operations was 2.6 and its interest

cover ratio was 4.3.

- all bilateral and syndicated credit lines: default on any of the

credit lines or any other borrowings capped at a certain level.

- €143 million bilateral credit line: Material Adverse Change

clause. This clause allows the banking counterparty to withdraw

the credit line in the event of a material adverse change in

the Group’s business environment. 

Early repayment risks for bank borrowings

All bank borrowings are immediately repayable in the event of:

- default on any instalment,

- default on any other borrowings in excess of a certain amount.

Certain loan agreements also include covenants relating to

shareholders’ equity. The most restrictive of these covenants requires

the Group to have shareholders’ equity of at least €2.9 billion. 

Collateral

At December 31, 2002 €24 million in Group debt were secured by

various non-current assets (real estate and securities). 

Interest rate risk

Details of the main financial instruments used by the Group are

provided below. 

Bond issues

The €5,425 million worth of outstanding bonds (short- and long-term)

break down as follows at December 31, 2002.

All of the bonds were issued at fixed rates. The term “Variable rate”

in the table above refers to fixed rate bonds that have been

converted into variable rate debt through the use of swaps.

Maturity 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Total

(In € millions)

EUR Fixed rate 152 500 920 607 1,000 3,179

USD Fixed rate 572 572

Variable rate 477 477

GBP Fixed rate 461 461

Variable rate 231 230 461

CHF Fixed rate 275 275

Total 152 275 1,192 572 1,397 837 1,000 5,425

Fixed rate 100% 100% 80% 100% 66% 73% 100% 83%
112

In addition, the bond issues in Swiss francs are hedged by crosscurrency swaps (see note 21 dealing with Cross-currency Swaps).

On February 18, 2002, Compagnie de Saint-Gobain issued 4,380,953

“OCEANE” bonds that are convertible into new or existing shares.

These bonds have a nominal value of €210 each, and the total issue

came to €920 million. The annual interest rate for these “OCEANE”

bonds is 2.625% payable in arrears on January 1 each year.

The bonds will be redeemed in full on January 1, 2007 in cash at

nominal value, i.e. €210 per bond, or they may be repurchased

before maturity by Compagnie de Saint-Gobain on the market or

in connection with a public buyback offer. The Company may also

decide to carry out an early redemption of all outstanding “OCEANE”

bonds, subject to certain conditions, which include share price

thresholds.

Each “OCEANE” bond may be converted or exchanged for fou

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain shares. This ratio may, however, be

adjusted if the Company carries out certain financial operations.

Therefore if all of the bonds were converted at the rate initially

provided for, the holders would receive a total of 17,523,812 shares

representing 5% of the Company’s capital at December 31, 2002

Maturity 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Total

(In € millions)

EUR Fixed rate 13 1 15 29

Variable rate 61 84 53 223 421

NOK Fixed rate 6 6

Total 13 62 90 53 223 15 456

Fixed rate 100% 2% 7% 0% 0% 100% 8%

Maturity 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Total

(In € millions)

EUR Fixed rate 15 37 52

Variable rate 46 6 8 60

USD Fixed rate 24 48 72

CZK Fixed rate 32 32

Total 46 45 0 77 48 216

Fixed rate 0% 87% - 90% 100% 72%

Private placement notes

The €456 million worth of private placement notes (current- and long-term portions)

break down as follows at December 31, 2002.

The term “Variable rate” in the table above corresponds to private

placement notes issued at variable rates and fixed rate notes

converted into variable rate debt through the use of swaps. 

Medium Term Notes

The €216 million worth of Medium-Term Notes (current- and longterm portions) break down as follows at December 31, 2002.
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

The term “Variable rate” in the table above corresponds to Medium

Term Notes issued at variable rates and fixed rate Notes converted

into variable rate debt through the use of swaps. 

In addition, Medium Term Note issues in euros have been hedged

by cross-currency swaps on a notional amount of €21 million

maturing in 2004 (see note 21 dealing with Cross-Currency Swaps). 

Perpetual bonds

In 1985, Compagnie de Saint-Gobain issued €125 million worth of

perpetual bonds – 25,000 bonds with a face value of €5,000 –

paying interest at a variable rate indexed against Libor. 

These securities are not redeemable and their remuneration is

included in financial charges. 

At December 31, 2002 18,496 perpetual bonds had been bought

back and canceled. At that date, 6,504 perpetual bonds were

outstanding representing a total nominal amount of €33 million.

Financing programs

The Group has a number of programs available for medium-term

and long-term (Medium Term Notes) and short-term (Commercial

Paper and Billets de Trésorerie) financing

Programs Currency Drawdown Authorized Drawn down at Drawn down at Drawn down at

period cellings (in millions of currency) at Dec. 31, 2002 at Dec. 31, 2002 at Dec. 31, 2001 at Dec. 31, 2000

Medium Term Notes USD 1 to 30 years 1,000(*) 226 475 716

US commercial paper USD up to 12 months 1,000(*) 29 307 481

Euro commercial paper USD up to 12 months 1,000(*) 100 152 292

Billets de trésorerie EUR up to 12 months 1,500 513 971 92

At December 31, 2002, the situation of these programs was as

follows: 

Billets de Trésorerie, Euro-Commercial Paper 

and US-Commercial Paper

Billets de Trésorerie, Euro-Commercial Paper and US-Commercial

Paper issues generally have a life of 3 or 6 months. Although they

are short-term securities issued at fixed rates, in view of their

frequent renewal the Group treats them as variable rate debt.

Bank overdrafts and other short-term bank borrowings

This item includes bank overdrafts and intraday borrowings, local

short-term bank borrowings taken out by subsidiaries and accrued

interest on short-term debt. 

(*) Equivalent to €954 million based on the exchange rate at December 31, 2002.
114

NOTE 21 – FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT

Interest rate risk relating to the Group’s total net indebtedness is

managed by the Treasury Department of Compagnie de SaintGobain. Net indebtedness is determined by means of a monthly

reporting system which provides a detailed breakdown of each

subsidiary’s debt by type and by interest rate (fixed or variable). In

addition, for the preparation of the interim and annual consolidated

financial statements, subsidiaries also provide a breakdown of debt

between long- and short-term and fixed and variable rate, together

with details of interest rates and hedging instruments by line of debt.

Subsidiaries hedge risks on debt exclusively with Compagnie de

Saint-Gobain, the Group parent company.

The main objective of managing overall interest rate risk on the

Group’s consolidated net debt is to fix the cost of the mediumterm debt and to optimize annual borrowing costs. The Group’s 

policy defines which derivative financial instruments can be used

to hedge the debt. Derivative financial instruments may include rate

swaps, options – including caps, floors and swaptions – and forward

rate agreements. These instruments are traded over-the-counte

with counterparties meeting minimum rating standards as defined

in the Group’s financial policy.

The average interest rates for material long-term debt items before

hedging are as follows:

The following derivative instruments are used by the Group:

Interest rate swaps

The notional amount of interest rate swaps breaks down as follows

at December 31, 2002:

Average interest rate on outstanding debt 2002 2001 2000

at December 31

Bond issues 5.11% 5.74% 5.58%

Medium Term Notes 5.01% 3.70% 6.09%

Private placement notes 4.30% 4.48% 5.30%

Perpetual bonds 3.44% 3.68% 5.50%

Fixed rate borrower Variable rate borrower

EUR USD GBP Total EUR USD GBP Total

(In € millions)

2003 - - - 

2004 54 176 230 - 

2005 84 84 15 231 246 

2006 3 3 45 45

2007 - - 177 477 654

2008 - - 230 230

2009 - - - 

Total 141 176 - 317 237 477 461 1,175 
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

Cross-Currency Swaps

The Group uses two types of Cross-Currency Swaps:

- financing in Swiss francs swapped for euros: the Group’s fixed

rate bonds in Swiss francs have been swapped for variable rate

euro-denominated debt.

- euro-denominated debt swapped for foreign currencies to

finance operations in the United States and the United

Kingdom. The Group has swapped euro-denominated debt for

debt in US dollars and sterling, mainly at fixed rates of interest.

Maturities of the Group’s cross-currency swaps are presented below.

The amounts shown correspond to the notional amount of the

original euro leg of the swap, in millions of euros.

Options

In addition, the Group had options (interest rate caps) on a notional

amount of €90 million which were out of the money at December

31, 2002.

The face value amount of commitments given and received in the

form of swaptions and early repayments of borrowings amounted

to €228 million and €199 million respectively.

Group debt structure, after interest rate hedges 

The weighted average interest rate on total debt after giving effect

to hedging instruments (rate swaps and caps) was 4.7% for the year

ended December 31, 2002 (5% in 2001 and 5.8% in 2000).

After giving effect to in-the-money options and other hedging

instruments, at December 31, 2002 77% of Group debt was at fixed

rates of interest and 23% was at variable rates.

Net debt at December 31, 2002 before and after the effect of crosscurrency swaps was in the following currencies. The difference

between the total amount in this table and the total amount of the

net debt above is due to the inclusion of accrued interest. 

received Fixed CHF variable EUR fixed EUR Fixed EUR variable EUR variable EUR

paid variable EUR variable USD variable USD Fixed USD fixed USD fixed GBP Total

2003 276 276

2004 246 7 15 30 30 328

2005 297 297

2006 138 138

2007 -

2008 -

2009 49 49

Total 246 7 15 463 327 30 1,088

Excluding derivatives Including derivatives

year-end rate hedging rate

(In € millions)

Net debt in:

EUR 4,394 3,772

% of total debt 64% 55%

USD 1,126 1,833

% of total debt 16% 27%

GBP 936 1,095

% of total debt 14% 16%

CHF 271 (32)

% of total debt 4% 0%

Other currencies 158 217

% of total debt 2% 3%

Total debt* 6,886 6,886

* Excluding accrued interest.
116

Including the effect of derivatives and at the year-end rate, total debt

came to over €77 million. The difference, which reflects the exchangerate impact of cross-currency swaps (€76 million) and forward

currency swaps (€1 million), is recorded under “Other payables and

accrued expenses”. Its contra entry is the revaluation difference on

assets financed in the target currency (example: assets in dollars for

a cross-currency swap to lend euros and borrow dollars).

Fair value of derivative instruments

The fair value of derivative financial instruments used by the Group

is as follows (excluding accrued interest):

The negative amount of €140.5 million shown for cross currency

swaps represents the cost of replacing these swaps on the market

at year-end (including €76 million recognized under “Other

payables and accrued expenses” – see note 19). However, the

swaps were acquired for hedging purposes and are intended to be

retained until maturity. Any exchange loss on the swaps at maturity

will be offset by a corresponding gain on the hedged instruments.

EFFECT OF AN INCREASE IN INTEREST RATES

At December 31, 2002, a 1% increase in interest rates would have

the following impact on Group interest expense in 2003, assuming

that the total amount of debt remains stable and decreases in fixedrate debt are offset by matching increases in variable-rate debt.

MARKETABLE SECURITIES

Marketable securities include units in SICAV and other mutual funds

recorded at the lower of cost and market. All of these securities have

variable remuneration rates.

Financial transactions such as purchases and sales of marketable

securities and currency or interest-rate hedging instruments, are

carried out with diversified and high-quality counterparties. Credit

risk is therefore low. The choice of counterparties as well as the

determination of position limits by counterparty is part of a rigorous

and selective process. 

FOREIGN CURRENCY RISK MANAGEMENT

Commercial transactions

The Group’s policy with regard to currency risk consists of hedging

commercial transactions carried out by Group entities in currencies

other than their functional currencies. Compagnie de Saint-Gobain

and its subsidiaries may use options and forward contracts to hedge

exposure arising from commercial transactions. 

Subsidiaries are not authorized to enter into option contracts with

external counterparties. Instead, options are set up exclusively with

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain, the parent company of the Group

which then takes a reverse position on the market.

Most forward contracts are for periods of around three months

However, forward contracts taken out to hedge firm orders may have

terms of up to two years. Subsidiaries are authorized to enter into

forward contracts with their banks for periods of less than two years

The majority of transactions are hedged, invoice by invoice or orde

by order, with Saint-Gobain Compensation, the entity set up to

manage the Group’s currency risks. Saint-Gobain Compensation

hedges these risks solely by means of forward purchases and sales

of foreign currencies. This enables companies to hedge exposure

arising from commercial transactions as soon as the risk emerges

Saint-Gobain Compensation reverses all its positions with

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain and does not therefore have any open

positions. 

The exposure of other Group companies to currency risks is hedged

with Compagnie de Saint-Gobain as soon as the latter receives

orders sent by the subsidiaries or by cash pools of the Nationa

Delegations. Exposure may also be hedged with the banks of the

subsidiaries concerned. Total unhedged transactions for these

companies amounted to €48 million at December 31, 2002. If

the euro dropped by 1 cent against the Group’s trading currencies

Type of instrument Fair value

(In € millions)

Interest-rate swaps 56.6

Cross currency swaps (140.5)

Purchased caps 0.4

Currency options 0

Energy swaps and futures 1.6

Impact of a 1% increase in interest rates on net interest 

and other financial charges

(In € millions)

Impact excluding the effect of derivatives 8.3

Impact including the effect of derivatives 15.8
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

the impact would be less than €1 million, which is not material at

the level of the consolidated financial statements. 

Financial transactions

Hedging of financial transactions is managed on a case-by-case

basis, for example for acquisitions in foreign currency, repatriation of

dividends or capital contributions to subsidiaries. Option-based

strategies are generally used in these cases.

The Group had no outstanding foreign currency options at

December 31, 2002.

ENERGY RISK MANAGEMENT

The Group hedges part of its natural gas costs in the United States

using fixed-rate borrower/variable-rate lender swaps on the NYMEX

and also on the futures market. There were no outstanding swaps

at December 31, 2002. Outstanding futures contracts at December

31, 2002 had a fair value of €1.4 million. 

In addition, the Group has launched a hedging program to cover

heating oil costs of some of its European subsidiaries. The hedges

consist exclusively of fixed-rate borrower/variable-rate lender swaps

based on various Platt’s references. At December 31, 2002, the

nominal value of these swaps was €1.7 million and their fair value

was not material. 

EQUITY RISK MANAGEMENT

The Group is not exposed to equity risk, as it always favors moneymarket funds and/or bonds when purchasing mutual funds or

equivalents and is therefore not exposed to any equity risk on its

short-term investments.

The Group previously held a portfolio of shares in listed companies.

All of these shares have been sold, apart from 12.3 million Vivendi

Universal shares. These shares are carried in the balance sheet at

their historical cost of €13.88 per share, representing a total of

€171 million.

COMPLEX COMMITMENTS

Asset financing

The Group has set up a US$400 million receivables securitization

program through its US subsidiary, CertainTeed Receivables

Corporation, expiring in July 2006. Under this program, receivables

of the US subsidiaries are sold to a bank at daily intervals, on a norecourse basis. The bank then refinances the receivables through

commercial paper issues. The amount received by the subsidiaries

corresponds to a variable percentage of the face value of the

receivables, determined mainly by reference to the interest rate on

the bank’s commercial paper issues.

The difference between the face value of the sold receivables and

the proceeds received from the bank is treated as interest expense.

In 2002, the amount recorded as interest expense came to €8.8

million (2001: €18.7 million).

The sold receivables are recorded as off-balance sheet commitments

in the amount of €385 million at December 31, 2002 (2001:

€433 million).

The main events which could cause the program to be terminated

are a change in Compagnie de Saint-Gobain’s rating to below

investment grade or default on any amounts due to the bank under

the program.

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain has guaranteed the commitments of

CertainTeed Receivables Corporation towards the bank under the

program, in the amount of US$400 million.

NOTE 22 – RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

AND ADVERTISING COSTS

Selling, general and administrative expenses include research and

development costs of €312 million, €320 million and

€300 million for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and

2000, respectively. 

Advertising costs amounted to €209 million in 2002, €222 million

in 2001 and €246 million in 2000

NOTE 23 – OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES 

AND INCOME

2002 2001 2000

(In € millions)

Pension and other post-retirement benefit costs

(see note 16) (199) (175) (161)

Amortization of other intangible assets (76) (72) (65)

Employee profit-sharing (134) (126) (118)

Income from miscellaneous sales 

and other income and expenses 99 130 100 

Total other operating costs, net (310) (243) (244)
118

NOTE 24 – INTEREST AND OTHER FINANCIAL

CHARGES, NET

Total interest capitalized amounted to €2 million, €0.2 million,

and €7 million for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001, and

2000 respectively.

NOTE 25 – NON-OPERATING EXPENSES 

AND INCOME

Non-operating expenses and income include additions to and

reversals from provisions for claims and litigation and environmental

provisions, as well as reorganization costs arising on the disposal

of loss-making activities and measures in favor of employees

affected by downsizing plans. 

In 2002, provisions for contingencies primarily included the asbestosrelated charge explained in notes 18 and 31. Reorganization costs

mainly related to Flat Glass (Cristaleria de Hortaleza), Insulation

(including the costs relating to the Europe-wide reorganization of

Saint-Gobain Isover’s research centers), and Ceramics & Plastics

(Saint-Gobain Céramiques Avancées Desmarquest). 

In 2001, reorganization costs mainly related to Flat Glass (SaintGobain Glass France), Insulation and Reinforcements (Saint-Gobain

Isover G + H), Pipe (Saint-Gobain PAM) and Ceramics & Abrasives

(Saint-Gobain Ceramic Materials Canada, Saint-Gobain Ceramics

& Plastics, Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics and Bay State).

In 2000, reorganization costs mainly related to Flat Glass (Saint-Gobain

Cristalería, Saint-Gobain Glass Benelux, Saint-Gobain Glass France), Pipe

(Saint-Gobain PAM, Saint-Gobain Gussrohr) and Containers (Vicasa).

NOTE 26 – PROFIT ON SALES 

OF NON-CURRENT ASSETS

In 2002, capital gains made on the disposal of certain non-strategic

Group assets were almost totally offset by capital losses and asset

write-downs.

In 2001, net profit on sales of non-current assets mainly concerned

capital gains on the disposal of the Group’s entire stake in BNP Paribas

less asset write-downs and capital losses recorded by the Lapeyre Group

In 2000, net profit on sales of non-current assets mainly related to

the sale of shares in Vivendi and the Group’s entire interest in Essilor

NOTE 27 – NET INCOME EXCLUDING PROFIT

ON SALE OF NON-CURRENT ASSETS

For 2001 and 2000, the number of shares and earnings per share

excluding capital gains have both been adjusted to reflect the impact

of the four-for-one stock split of June 27, 2002. 

Net income for the year amounted to €1,040 million in 2002

compared with €1,134 million in 2001 and €1,517 million in 2000

Net income excluding profit on sales of non-current assets

amounted to €1,051 million in 2002, versus €1,057 million in

2001 and €1,026 million in 2000. Based on the 341,010,680

shares outstanding at December 31, 2002 (2001: 341,034,512

2000: 340,853,052), earnings per share (EPS) excluding capita

gains amounted to €3.08 in 2002 (2001: €3.10, 2000: €3.01)

The difference between net income and net income excluding profit

on sales of non-current assets reflects the combined impact of

€3 million in capital gains on sales of assets in 2002 (2001

€84 million; 2000: €584 million), the related tax effect (2002

€15 million; 2001: €32 million; 2000: €105 million) and minority

interests related to the assets (2002: €1 million; 2001: €25 million

2000: €12 million).

2002 2001 2000

(In € millions)

Remuneration of non-voting participating securities 

(see note 15) (26) (27) (29)

Interest expense (446) (542) (577)

Other financial charges (103) (170) (156)

Interest income 69 108 88 

Other financial income 18 41 66 

Net (losses) gains on foreign exchange (16) (13) (4)

Total interest and other financial charges, net (504) (603) (612)

2002 2001 2000

(In € millions)

Provisions for contingencies (116) (13) (15)

Reorganization costs

France (53) (26) (37)

Other European countries (60) (56) (109)

North America (15) (24) (6)

Rest of the world (3) (10) (8)

Other (5) 7 17 

Total non-operating expenses

and income (252) (122) (158)
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

NOTE 28 – STOCK-BASED PLANS

STOCK OPTION PLANS ON COMPAGNIE DE SAINT-GOBAIN

SHARES

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain has incentive stock option plans

available to certain employees, and a Group Savings Plan (“PEG”),

or employee stock purchase plan.

The stock option plans allow the Board of Directors to grant options

which enable the holder to obtain Saint-Gobain shares at a price

based on the average share price for the 20-day period preceding

the date of grant. Discounts of 10% and 5% on this average price

were granted in 1997 and 1998 respectively. Such discounts were

discontinued in 1999. 

Options vest over a period of two, three, four or five years with full

vesting occurring at the end of the vesting period. Options must

be exercised within eight or ten years from the date of grant and

all rights to options are forfeited if the employee terminates

employment with the Group.

Since 1997, these plans no longer involve subscription options on

new shares but purchase options on existing shares held in treasury

stock for this purpose. 

Further to the four-for-one stock split of June 27, 2002, the number

of options at December 31, 2001 and 2000 have been multiplied

by four in order to permit year-on-year comparisons.

Movements relating to stock options outstanding in 2000, 2001 and

2002 are listed below:

Shares Average

exercise

price (in euros)

Options outstanding 

at December 31, 1999 5,965,776 29.74

Options granted 2,716,500 37.69

Options exercised (370,016) 19.77

Options forfeited (13,836) 15.53

Options outstanding 

at December 31, 2000 8,298,424 32.81

Options granted 3,774,800 40.22

Options exercised (701,592) 22.25

Options forfeited (83,092) 36.63

Options outstanding 

at December 31, 2001 11,288,540 35.92

Options granted 3,785,500 23.53

Options exercised (334,456) 23.15

Options forfeited (164,520) 39.87

Options outstanding 

at December 31, 2002 14,575,064 32.95
GROUP SAVINGS PLAN (PEG) OF COMPAGNIE 

DE SAINT-GOBAIN

For 2001 and 2000, the figures relating to the number of shares and

the average price have both been adjusted to reflect the impact of

the four-for-one stock split of June 27, 2002. 

The PEG employee stock purchase plan is open to all Group

employees in France and in most other European countries who

have completed a minimum of three months’ service with the

Group. The plan offers shares to eligible employees at a 20%

discount on the average price quoted for the shares for the 20-day

period preceding the date of the meeting of the Board of Directors

at which the Plan is set.

Employees can invest for a five or ten-year term. Over this period,

employees may not sell their shares, barring exceptional

circumstances.

Under the PEG, the Group issued 4,703,396, 3,612,600 and

7,824,896 shares to employees in 2002, 2001, and 2000,

respectively, at an average price per share of €33.88 in 2002,

€33.25 in 2001 and €26.50 in 2000.

STOCK OPTION PLAN ON LAPEYRE SHARES

Transactions during 2000, 2001, and 2002 relating to stock options

granted by Lapeyre are listed below:

At December 31, 2000 and 2001, 72,000 and 42,900 options were

exercisable at exercise prices ranging from €31.16 to €32.01.

120

At December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002, 2,089,264, 2,130,560

and 3,413,064 options were exercisable at exercise prices ranging

from €22.88 to €31.27.

At December 31, 2002, 2,775,444 options were available for grant

under the authorization given by the General Meeting of June 28, 2001. 

The following table summarizes information about stock options

outstanding at December 31, 2002:

Shares Average

exercise price

(in euros)

Options outstanding 

at December 31, 1999 105,450 31.33

Options exercised (33,450) 31.70

Options outstanding 

at December 31, 2000 72,000 31.16

Options exercised (29,100) 29.89

Options outstanding 

at December 31, 2001 42,900 32.01

Options exercised (42,900) 32.01

Options outstanding 

at December 31, 2002 0 N/A

Date of Options exercisable Options not exercisable Total options Type

grant outstanding of options

Exercise Number Average remaining Exercise Number Number 

price of options contractual life price of options of options

(in euros) in months (in euros)

1995 17.53 164,600 11 164,600 Subscription

1996 21.42 505,980 23 505,980 Subscription

1997 28.47 904,904 35 904,904 Purchase

1998 29.54 669,880 47 29.54 540,800 1,210,680 Purchase

1999 40.63 1,167,700 83 40.63 503,200 1,670,900 Purchase

2000 37.69 95 37.69 2,637,700 2,637,700 Purchase

2001 40.22 107 40.22 3,694,800 3,694,800 Purchase

2002 23.53 119 23.53 3,785,500 3,785,500 Purchase

Total - 3,413,064 - - 11,162,000 14,575,064 -
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

NOTE 29 – CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS 

AND COMMERCIAL COMMITMENTS

Contractual obligations and commercial commitments are described

in the note below, except for off-balance sheet commitments

related to debt and financial instruments which are explained in

notes 20 and 21.

COMMITMENTS UNDER CAPITAL LEASES

Non-current assets acquired under capital leases are capitalized in

the consolidated financial statements and the related liability is

recorded in the balance sheet. 

€124 million of minimum future lease payments due under capital

leases correspond to land and buildings. Total commitments under

capital leases at December 31, 2002 are on a par with 2001.

Obligations under operating leases

The Group leases equipment and office, manufacturing and

warehouse space under various non-cancelable operating leases.

Lease terms generally range from 1 to 9 years. Certain contracts

contain renewal options for various periods of time and contain

clauses for payment of real estate taxes and insurance. In most cases,

management expects that in the normal course of business, leases

will be renewed or replaced by other leases. 

Net rental expense was €386 million in 2002 (2001: €348 million;

2000: €315 million), corresponding to rental expenses of

€411 million (2001: €373 million; 2000: €329 million) less

€25 million of subletting revenue (2001: €25 million; 2000:

€14 million). 

Future minimum commitments under operating leases are as follows:

Capital leases Future lease

payment

(In € millions)

due within one year 20 

between one and five years 62 

beyond five years 49 

Total 131 

Less estimated executory costs included in capital leases - 

Total minimum future lease payments 131 

Less interest costs (46) 

Present value of net minimum lease payments 85 

Total Payments due

within one year between one and five years beyond five years (In € millions)

Operating leases

Rental expense 1,845 339 880 626 

Subletting revenue (128) (19) (57) (52) 

Total 1,717 320 823 574
122

Other contractual obligations

Non-cancelable purchase commitments include commitments to

purchase raw materials and services, as well as non-cancelable

orders for fixed assets.

The Group has also received guarantees in an amount of

€60 million.

NOTE 30 – WORKFORCE 

AND PERSONNEL EXPENSES

AVERAGE HEADCOUNT AND CORRESPONDING 

PERSONNEL EXPENSES 

REMUNERATION OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE OFFICERS

The total direct and indirect remuneration received by Corporate

Officers from Group companies in France and abroad amounted

to €13 million in 2002, €12.9 million in 2001 and €12.6 million

in 2000. The gross variable portion included in these remuneration

amounts came to €4.6 million in 2002, €4.7 million in 2001 and

€5.2 million in 2000.

Attendance fees paid to Directors amounted to €0.5 million in 2002

(2001: €0.5 million; 2000: €0.3 million).

Total Amount of commitments

due within one year between one and five years beyond five years (In € millions)

Discounted bills 12 12 

Security for borrowings 16 14 2 

Other commitments given 122 52 15 55 

Total 150 78 17 55 

Personnel expenses

(In € millions) 2002 2001 2000

Remuneration 

(including social security contributions) 6,465 6,519 6,416

The Group held €31 million of receivables secured by guarantees

at December 31, 2002. The majority of these are insured or

guaranteed receivables related to Pipe export contracts.

Average number

of employees

2002 2001 2000

Fully consolidated companies

Managers 15,954 15,852 15,083

Supervisors 63,319 62,164 56,375

Other employees 90,368 93,159 96,019

Total 169,641 171,175 167,477

Proportionately consolidated companies

Managers 32 38 25

Supervisors 531 200 213

Other employees 1,052 763 459

Sub-total 1,615 1,001 697

Total 171,256 172,176 168,174

COMMERCIAL COMMITENTS

Total Payments due

within one year between one and five years beyond five years (In € millions)

Non-cancelable purchase commitments 345 227 89 29
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

NOTE 31 – LITIGATION

In France, at December 31, 2002, 397 lawsuits based on

“inexcusable fault” (“faute inexcusable”) had been filed by former

employees (or persons claiming through them) of Everite and SaintGobain PAM (“the employers”), which in the past had carried on

fiber-cement operations, for asbestos-related occupational diseases,

with the aim of obtaining supplementary compensation over and

above the assumption of occupational diseases compensation by

the French Social Security.

At the end of 2002, 123 of these 397 lawsuits had been heard by

the Court of Appeal which issued rulings holding the employers

liable on the grounds of “inexcusable fault” in all of the cases. These

rulings were all appealed to the Cour de Cassation (the French final

court of appeal) by the company concerned. 15 of these appeals,

lodged by Everite, were heard by the Cour de Cassation and

dismissed on February 28, 2002.

However, in 89 of the 123 appeal court rulings against the employers

on the grounds of inexcusable fault, the Social Security authorities

were ordered to pay the compensation for the victims for procedural

reasons (statute of limitations, liability issues (“inopposabilité”)). 51

of these rulings were confirmed by the Cour de Cassation on

November 26 and December 12, 2002. 

At December 31, 2002, compensation payable by Everite and SaintGobain PAM, for the 44 cases (since the beginning) where they had

been required to assume the burden of compensation, amounted

to a total of €4 million, which has been expensed. 

In addition, at December 31, 2002, 63 suits based on inexcusable

fault had been filed by current or former employees of seven French

companies in the Group, in particular involving circumstances where

equipment containing asbestos had been used to protect against

heat from ovens. In all of the rulings issued by end-2002, the

employees’ claims were dismissed. A final ruling has been handed

down in 3 of these cases and the 9 others have been appealed to

the Cour de Cassation by the employees concerned. Six of these

cases have now been heard by the Cour de Cassation, which

dismissed the appeals on December 12, 2002, ruling that the

employer was not liable for “inexcusable fault”. 

A fund has also been created in France known as the FIVA. It is

intended to fully compensate the loss of persons officially recognized

as having contracted occupational diseases caused by asbestos, as

well as of all persons who have been exposed to asbestos on French

territory. A decree dated October 23, 2001 sets out the conditions

relating to the operation of the fund, the compensation procedure

applicable and claims of subrogation made by the fund itself. Any

person who accepts an offer of compensation from the fund will

be barred from taking legal action to obtain other compensation

on the same grounds, including any claim for “inexcusable fault”

against an employer. However, once the applicant has accepted

an offer of compensation, the fund must make a subrogated claim

against any employer considered to be responsible for the loss

concerned. 

On January 27, 2003 the fund published guidelines in the form of

a compensation scale. At December 31, 2002, as far as the Group

is aware, no current or former employees of the Group’s French

companies had applied for compensation from the fund. However,

four former employees have indicated that they intend to

discontinue their “inexcusable fault” lawsuits already commenced,

in order to bring their claims before the fund. 

In the United States, three Group companies that once manufactured

products containing asbestos such as fiber-cement pipes, roofing

products or specialized insulation, are facing legal action from

persons other than the employees or former employees of the

companies. The claims are based on alleged exposure to the

products although in the vast majority of cases the claimants cannot

demonstrate any specific exposure to one or more products, or any

specific illness or physical disability. The majority of these claims

are made simultaneously against many other non-Group entities

which have been manufacturers, distributors, installers or users of

products containing asbestos.

CertainTeed, the main US subsidiary involved in these cases, was for

a long period a member of the Center for Claims Resolution, an

organization which grouped together defendants facing the same type

of claims and handled the defense of all such claims, and allocated

court awards, negotiated out of court settlements and defense costs

among the organization members on the basis of a pre-agreed prorata formula. Since February 14, 2001 the organization no longer

represents its members in this way, and CertainTeed now assumes

directly the defense of claims made against it, which increased

significantly in 2001 with a total of 60,000 new cases. 

This trend continued in 2002, with some 67,000 new claims filed

against CertainTeed during the year. The vast majority of these new

claims are “mass” actions which can involve hundreds or even

thousands of plaintiffs making claims for damages against dozens of

companies operating in different economic sectors, without

providing evidence of any specific exposure to any product allegedly
124

manufactured by CertainTeed, or of any specific illness or physical

disability. Only around 5% of these new lawsuits involve a serious

illness, cancer or mesothelioma.

Almost all of the claims against CertainTeed are settled out of court.

Some 44,000 such settlements were entered into in 2002. Taking

into account the 84,000 outstanding cases at the end of 2001 and

the new cases having arisen during 2002, some 107,000 claims

were outstanding at December 31, 2002.

The average individual cost of settlement based on all claims settled

decreased to US$1,955 in 2002, from US$2,800 a year earlier. Total

compensation paid for these cases – including claims settled in

2001 but paid out in 2002, and those fully settled and paid in 2002

– amounted to US$103 million in 2002 (versus US$53 million in

2001). US$96 million of this amount has been or will be covered

by insurance. 

In view of all of these developments, the Group recorded a

€100 million charge in 2002 to make provision for such claims

which may arise or subsist in the future, including €50 million

recorded in the first half of the year. At December 31, 2002 the

Group’s total cover for asbestos-related claims against CertainTeed

in the United States amounted to €426 million, comprised of

insurance coverage available at that date and the provision existing

at that date referred to above. This cover represents approximately

4 to 5 years of total compensation payments based on the

corresponding figure for 2002.

In Brazil, Brasilit and Eterbras offer an agreed amount of compensation

to their former employees for asbestos-related occupational

diseases, as well as permanent medical assistance. Only a few

disputes were outstanding at December 31, 2002, which do not

give rise to any significant risks for the subsidiaries concerned.

NOTE 32 – RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The main balances and transactions with companies accounted for

by the equity method are as follows:

2002 2001 2000

(In € millions)

Assets

Financial receivables 11 9 1 

Inventories 2 7 

Other receivables 21 13 14 

Cash and cash equivalents 7 15 20 

Provisions for impairment in value (2) (2) (2)

Liabilities

Short-term debt 6 5 18 

Cash advances 4 2 8 

Expenses

Purchases 28 63 121 

Income

Sales 61 64 79

NOTE 33 – SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC

INFORMATION

In its various businesses, the Saint-Gobain Group is a major worldwide

player in the manufacturing and distribution of materials. Its operations

break down into three main business sectors made up of divisions.

Segment information is presented as follows: 

Glass

• Flat Glass

• Insulation & Reinforcements

• Containers

High-Performance Materials

• Ceramics & Plastics and Abrasives

• Essilor (until June 30, 2000)

Housing Products

• Building Materials

• Building Materials Distribution

• Pipe

The Group has operations in more than 48 countries. Its principal markets

are in Europe (mainly in France, where its head office is located) and

in North America. Management uses several different indicators to

measure the operational performance of each division and to make

resource-allocation decisions. These indicators are based on the data used

to prepare the consolidated financial statements. Sales between divisions

are generally carried out based on the same conditions as sales to externa

customers and are eliminated in consolidation. The accounting principles

applied by the divisions are the same as those described in note 1.
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

SEGMENT INFORMATION BY SECTOR AND BY DIVISION

* “Other” represents intercompany eliminations in relation to sales, and the holding company activity for the other captions.

(In € millions)

SECTOR

External sales 4,406 3,147 4,072 3,592 2,880 10,951 1,226 30,274 

Internal sales 17 182 4 45 194 2 118 (562)

Net sales 4,423 3,329 4,076 3,637 3,074 10,953 1,344 (562) 30,274 

Operating income 495 351 479 244 335 534 135 9 2,582 

Depreciation and amortization 

(excluding goodwill) (328) (240) (293) (189) (131) (183) (61) (9) (1,434)

Amortization of goodwill 1 (6) (21) (66) (22) (46) (10) 1 (169)

Net goodwill 274 309 642 1,642 736 1,654 257 7 5,521 

Total assets 4,658 3,075 3,689 4,632 2,562 8,620 1,396 1,516 30,148 

Equity method investees 3 5 8 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment 377 198 294 160 135 227 39 1 1,431 

Equity in earnings (losses) of equity investees (4) 4 2 2 4

GLASS HIGHPERFORMANCE 

MATERIALS

HOUSING PRODUCTS

Flat Glass Insulation and

Reinforcements

Containers Ceramics &

Plastics and

Abrasives

Building

Materials

Building

Materials

Distribution

Year ended December 31, 2002 Pipe

Other* TOTAL

* “Other” represents intercompany eliminations in relation to sales, and the holding company activity for the other captions.

(In € millions)

SECTOR

External sales 4,452 3,118 4,067 3,970 3,000 10,520 1,263 30,390 

Internal sales 26 156 3 48 184 1 134 (552)

Net sales 4,478 3,274 4,070 4,018 3,184 10,521 1,397 (552) 30,390 

Operating income 551 402 404 392 294 475 146 17 2,681 

Depreciation and amortization 

(excluding goodwill) (320) (243) (298) (195) (137) (185) (68) (6) (1,452)

Amortization of goodwill (6) (9) (23) (70) (25) (44) (8) 1 (184)

Net goodwill 293 326 780 1,987 782 1,609 282 6 6,065 

Total assets 5,133 3,597 4,151 5,501 2,714 8,485 1,510 1,051 32,142 

Equity method investees 1 3 6 1 10 21 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment 361 229 237 173 134 252 43 1 1,430 

Equity in earnings (losses) of equity investees 2 (6) 6 2 1 2 7 

GLASS HIGHPERFORMANCE 

MATERIALS

HOUSING PRODUCTS

Flat Glass Insulation and

Reinforcements

Containers Ceramics &

Plastics and

Abrasives

Building

Materials

Building

Materials

Distribution

Year ended December 31, 2001 Pipe

Other* TOTAL

The Pipe Division’s distribution operations have been transferred, as

from January 1, 2002, to the Building Materials Distribution Division.

The segment information by Sector and by Division for 2001 and

2000 has been adjusted to take into account this transfer on a pro

forma basis. 
126

Information reported in 2000 concerning the “Essilor” column

covers the period from January 1, 2000 to June 30, 2000, the time

during which Essilor was fully consolidated.

Results reported while the company was accounted for by the equity

method from July 1, 2000 to the date Essilor shares were sold

appear under equity in earnings (losses) of equity investees in the

“Other” column.

(In € millions)

External sales 4,144 3,172 3,903 4,059 978 2,906 8,382 1,271 28,815 

Internal sales 23 82 3 36 161 1 121 (427)

Net sales 4,167 3,254 3,906 4,095 978 3,067 8,383 1,392 (427) 28,815 

Operating income 430 423 374 538 130 252 415 113 18 2,693 

Depreciation and amortization 

(excluding goodwill) (322) (224) (307) (184) (46) (133) (157) (71) (5) (1,449)

Amortization of goodwill (7) (10) (16) (60) (13) (30) (40) (5) (1) (182)

Net goodwill 297 322 769 1,908 835 1,580 286 7 6,004 

Total assets 4,788 3,347 4,198 5,527 2,728 8,241 1,554 1,038 31,421 

Equity method investees 1 (2) 8 7 

Purchases of property, 

plant and equipment 425 258 278 205 84 172 244 52 4 1,722 

Equity in earnings 

of equity investees 33 1 9 2 8 9 2 20 84 

GLASS

SECTOR

HIGHPERFORMANCE 

MATERIALS

HOUSING PRODUCTS

Flat Glass Insulation and

Reinforcements

Containers Ceramics &

Plastics and

Abrasives

Essilor Building

Materials

Building

Materials

Distribution

Year ended December 31, 2000 Pipe

Other* TOTAL

* “Other” represents intercompany eliminations in relation to sales, and the holding company activity for the other captions.
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

Selected information related to the Group’s operations by geographical area is as follows:

The geographical breakdown of external sales for 2002, 2001 and 2000 is as follows:

France Other European North Rest of the Internal TOTAL

(In € millions) Countries America world sales

2002

Net sales 9,439 13,068 6,785 2,195 (1,213) 30,274

Non-current assets 4,358 7,566 5,130 1,786 18,840

2001

Net sales 9,095 12,944 7,180 2,293 (1,122) 30,390

Non-current assets 4,073 7,461 5,946 2,198 19,678

2000

Net sales 8,731 11,452 7,452 2,239 (1,059) 28,815

Non-current assets 4,099 7,334 5 ,903 2,194 19,530

France Other European North Rest of the TOTAL

(In € millions) Countries America world 

2002

External sales 8,083 12,847 6,555 2,789 30,274 

2001

External sales 7,741 12,749 7,034 2,866 30,390 

2000

External sales 7,494 11,249 7,249 2,823 28,815 
128

NOTE 34 – PRINCIPAL FULLY CONSOLIDATED COMPANIES 

Percent held directly

(In € millions) and indirectly

At December 31, 2002

GLASS SECTOR

Flat Glass

Saint-Gobain Glass France France 100.00%

Saint-Gobain Sekurit France France 100.00%

Saint-Gobain Sekurit Deutschland GmbH & CO Kg Germany 99.84%

Saint-Gobain Glass Deutschland GmbH Germany 99.84%

Cebrace Cristal Plano Ltda Brazil 50.00%

Saint-Gobain Cristaleria SA Spain 99.59%

Solaglas Ltd United Kingdom 99.95%

Saint-Gobain Glass Italia Italy 100.00%

Saint-Gobain Sekurit Italia Italy 100.00%

Saint-Gobain Vidros Brazil 100.00%

Hankuk Sekurit Limited South Korea 70.57%

Insulation and Reinforcements

Saint-Gobain Isover France 100.00%

Saint-Gobain Vetrotex France France 100.00%

Saint-Gobain Isover G+H AG Germany 99.88%

Saint-Gobain Vetrotex Italia SpA Italy 100.00%

CertainTeed Corporation United States 100.00%

Saint-Gobain Vetrotex America Inc. United States 100.00%

Saint-Gobain Ecophon Group Sweden 99.30%

Containers

Saint-Gobain Desjonquères France 99.99%

Saint-Gobain Emballage France 100.00%

Saint-Gobain Oberland AG Germany 96.67%

Saint-Gobain Vicasa SA Spain 99.50%

Saint-Gobain Containers Inc. United States 100.00%

Saint-Gobain Calmar Inc. United States 100.00%

Saint-Gobain Vetri SpA Italy 99.98%

HIGH-PERFORMANCE MATERIALS SECTOR

Ceramics & Plastics and Abrasives

Saint-Gobain Abrasifs France 99.92%

Société Européenne des Produits Réfractaires France 100.00%

Saint-Gobain Abrasives Inc. United States 100.00%

Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics Inc. United States 100.00%

Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corp. United States 100.00%

Saint-Gobain Abrasivi Italy 99.92%

SEPR Italia Italy 100.00%

Saint-Gobain Abrasivos Brasil Brazil 100.00%

HOUSING PRODUCTS SECTOR

Building Materials

Saint-Gobain Weber France 99.99%

Saint-Gobain Stradal France 100.00%

Saint-Gobain Terreal France 99.86%

CertainTeed Corporation United States 100.00%

Brasilit Brazil 100.00%

Building Materials Distribution

Distribution Sanitaire Chauffage France 100.00%

Lapeyre France 100.00%

Point.P France 100.00%

Raab Karcher GmbH Germany 100.00%

Saint-Gobain Rohrsysteme GmbH Germany 100.00%

Saint-Gobain Building Distribution Ltd United Kingdom 99.95%

Saint-Gobain Pipe Systems Plc United Kingdom 99.95%

Raab Karcher BV Netherlands 100.00%

Pipe

Saint-Gobain PAM SA France 100.00%

Saint-Gobain Gussrohr KG Germany 100.00%

Saint-Gobain Pipelines Plc United Kingdom 99.95%

Saint-Gobain Canalizacion SA Spain 99.92%

Saint-Gobain Condotte SpA Italy 100.00%

Saint-Gobain Canalizaçao SA Brazil 100.00%

Principal proportionally consolidated company at December 31, 2002

GLASS SECTOR

Flat Glass

Hankuk Glass Industries South Korea 41.29%
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

To the shareholders,

In compliance with the assignment entrusted to us by your Annual

General Meeting, we have audited the accompanying consolidated

financial statements of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain, expressed in

euros, for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000.

These consolidated financial statements have been approved by the

Board of Directors. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these

financial statements based on our audit. 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the professional standards

applied in France. Those standards require that we plan and perform

the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the

consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement.

An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting

the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also

includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant

estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall

financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides

a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements give a true and fair

view of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain and its subsidiaries’ financial

position and their assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2002, 2001

and 2000 and of the results of their operations for the years then ended

in accordance with French accounting principles and regulations.

Without qualifying the opinion expressed above, we draw your

attention to note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, which

describes the impact on the accounts of a change in the method of

accounting for retirement and postretirement benefit obligations,

implemented during the year ended December 31, 2000.

We have also reviewed the information given in the Group’s

management report. We have no comments as to its fair

presentation and its conformity with the consolidated financial

statements.

Paris, March 20, 2003

STATUTORY AUDITORS’ REPORT ON THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL

STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002

The Statutory Auditors

PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit S.E.C.E.F.

Mike Moralee Christian Marcellin Jacques Tenette 
130

STATEMENTS OF INCOME ANALYSIS OF THE STATEMENTS OF INCOME

1 - INCOME FROM INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES 

AND AFFILIATES

2 - NET INCOME FROM MARKETABLE SECURITIES

3 - INTEREST EXPENSE

COMPAGNIE DE SAINT-GOBAIN (Parent Company)

VIII - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF COMPAGNIE 

DE SAINT-GOBAIN (Parent Company)

2002 2001 2000

(In € thousands)

Income from investments 

in subsidiairies and affiliates 932,447 1,173,715 672,598 

Net income from marketable securities (1) 9,927 20,139 24,061 

Interest expense (1) (451,048) (597,309) (570,736) 

Other financial expense (1,959) (1,494) (4,193) 

Net financial income (note 2) 489,367 595,051 121,730 

Other operating income (expense) (20) 7,456 (5,831) 

Income before tax 

and exceptional items 489,347 602,507 115,899

Exceptional items (note 3) 76,173 475,345 945,176 

Income tax (note 4) 30,396 15,020 (46,464) 

Net income 595,916 1,092,872 1,014,611 

(1) To present financial income and expense more clearly, financial income from off- balance sheet instruments is deducted from expenses on the hedged item. This

presentation method had the effect of reducing expenses by €122,335

thousand in 2002, €147,863 thousand in 2001 and €158,728 thousand in

2000.

2002 2001 2000

(In € thousands)

Income from investments 500,867 587,988 157,960 

Income from related receivables 

and loans 431,580 585,727 514,638 

Total 932,447 1,173,715 672,598 

2002 2001 2000

(In € thousands)

Interest income (1) 9,350 18,615 20,677 

Net income from sales 

of marketable securities 577 1,524 3,384 

Total 9,927 20,139 24,061 

2002 2001 2000

(In € thousands)

Non-voting participating securities 26,272 27,432 29,221 

Other interest expense (1) 424,776 569,877 541,515 

Total 451,048 597,309 570,736 

(1) To present financial income and expense more clearly, financial income from off

balance sheet instruments is deducted from expenses on the hedged item. This

presentation method had the effect of reducing expenses by €122,335

thousand in 2002, €147,863 thousand in 2001 and €158,728 thousand in

2000.
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

4 - OTHER FINANCIAL INCOME (EXPENSE)

5 - OTHER OPERATING INCOME (EXPENSE)

6 - EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS

2002 2001 2000

(In € thousands)

Income from non-current assets 68 143 83 

Amortization and provisions (2,149) (1,786) (2,870) 

Exchange gains (losses), net 122 149 (1,406) 

Total (1,959) (1,494) (4,193)

2002 2001 2000

(In € thousands)

Other operating income:

- Group (consolidated companies) 152,258 144,634 136,718 

- Outside the Group 5,342 5,309 8,317 

Total 157,600 149,943 145,035 

Other operating expense:

- Personnel expenses (49,185) (48,129) (40,722) 

- Other (108,447) (94,495) (109,571) 

Total (157,632) (142,624) (150,293) 

Share in profits/(losses) of joint ventures 12 137 (573) 

Net (20) 7,456 (5,831) 

2002 2001 2000

(In € thousands)

Exceptional income:

- From revenue transactions 24,145 6,713 50,137 

- From capital transactions 364,082 3,063,714 2,836,863 

- Write-back of provisions 105,464 15,413 732 

Total 493,691 3,085,840 2,887,732

Exceptional expenses:

- On revenue transactions 10,004 7,173 7,567 

- On capital transactions 364,340 2,557,668 1,914,807 

- Depreciation, amortization 

and provisions 43,174 45,654 20,182 

Total 417,518 2,610,495 1,942,556

Net exceptional income 76,173 475,345 945,176
132

BALANCE SHEETS AT DECEMBER 31

ASSETS 2002 2001 2000

GROSS DEPRECIATION NET

AMORTIZATION

AND

In € thousands PROVISIONS

NON-CURRENT ASSETS

Intangible assets (note 5)

- Goodwill (1) 567 (431) 136 159 181

- Other intangible assets 33,075 (21,188) 11,887 15,611 9,708

- In progress 961 961 792 6,958

Property and equipment (note 6)

- Land 620 620 620 620

- Buildings 487 (235) 252 262 273

- Other 10,338 (7,627) 2,711 3,025 3,405

- In progress 0 4 - 

Financial investments (2) (note 7)

- Investments in subsidiaries and affiliates 7,895,809 (5,610) 7,890,199 7,805,066 7,338,746

- Investment-related receivables 5,539,962 5,539,962 6,381,207 6,298,655

- Other investment securities 216,158 (68,474) 147,684 179,667 100,368

- Loans 1,542,190 1,542,190 892,510 770,312

- Other financial investments 1,080 1,080 1,166 1,062

TOTAL I 15,241,247 (103,565) 15,137,682 15,280,089 14,530,288

CURRENT ASSETS (note 8)

- Other receivables (3) 96,702 96,702 49,376 159,442

- Marketable securities 76,943 76,943 2,040 73,061

- Cash and cash equivalents 1,303,929 1,303,929 2,006,256 2,686,665

ACCRUALS

- Prepayments (3) 3,306 3,306 8,059 18,102

TOTAL II 1,480,880 - 1,480,880 2,065,731 2,937,270

- Deferred charges TOTAL III 10,564 10,564 2,235 2,868

Translation adjustments - assets TOTAL IV - - - - - 

TOTAL 16,732,691 (103,565) 16,629,126 17,348,055 17,470,426

(1) including leasehold rights - - - 

(2) of which due within one year 3,891,338 3,482,724 4,064,129

(3) of which due in over one year 942 1,112 5,206
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY 2002 2001 2000

In € thousands

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (note 9)

- Capital stock 1,364,043 1,364,138 1,363,412 

- Additional paid-in capital 2,128,276 2,113,148 2,133,617 

- Reserve for revaluation of assets 56,516 56,213 56,213 

- Reserves:

Legal reserve (a) 136,404 136,414 136,341 

Untaxed reserves 2,548,798 2,273,498 1,601,019 

Other reserves 106,415 106,415 106,415 

- Unappropriated retained earnings 865,882 426,674 441,402 

- Net income for the year 595,916 1,092,872 1,014,611 

- Untaxed provisions (note 11) 6,807 6,625 6,568 

TOTAL I 7,809,057 7,575,997 6,859,598 

OTHER EQUITY (note 10)

Non-voting participating securities TOTAL I a 391,034 391,034 391,034 

PROVISIONS FOR CONTINGENCIES AND CHARGES (note 11)

- Provisions for contingencies 343,215 446,214 431,362 

- Provisions for charges 10,020 9,588 9,061 

TOTAL II 353,235 455,802 440,423 

DEBT AND PAYABLES (1) (note 12)

- Other bonds 1,255,867 309,099 301,894 

- Bank borrowings (2) 716,522 760,266 1,703,986 

- Other short- and long-term debt 6,007,077 7,544,234 7,460,958 

- Taxes and social charges payable 11,864 37,582 118,781 

- Other payables 84,470 274,041 192,091 

Accruals (1)

Defferred income 1,661 

TOTAL III 8,075,800 8,925,222 9,779,371 

Translation adjustments - liabilities TOTAL IV - - - 

TOTAL 16,629,126 17,348,055 17,470,426 

(a) of which reserve for long-term capital gains 14,225 14,225 14,225 

(1) due in over one year 6,054,189 4,918,454 5,266,308 

due within one year 2,021,611 4,006,768 4,513,063 

(2) of which short-term bank loans and overdrafts 234,419 282,363 357,882 
134

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

2002 2001 2000

In € thousands

Net income 595,916 1,092,872 1,014,611

Depreciation and amortization 8,682 6,934 7,088

Changes in provisions (61,658) 30,242 19,349

Profit on sales of non-current assets, net 257 (506,046) (921,902)

Cash flows from operations 543,197 624,002 119,146

(Increase) decrease in other receivables (53,051) 118,955 19,906

Increase (decrease) in taxes and social charges payable (25,718) (81,199) 95,045

Increase (decrease) in other payables (189,571) 80,289 (106,109)

Net change in working capital (268,340) 118,045 8,842

Cash flows from operating activities 274,857 742,047 127,988

Acquisitions of intangible assets (1,923) (3,642) (8,119)

Purchases of property and equipment (750) (868) (1,727)

Disposals of property and equipment and intangible assets 79 38 79

Acquisition of investments in subsidiaries and affiliates and other investment securities (444,389) (3,014,621) (1,636,699)

Purchases of treasury stock (162,051) (252,924) (376,173)

Disposals of investments in subsidiaries and affiliates and other investment securities 364,003 3,063,676 2,836,784

(Increase) decrease in investment-related receivables 841,245 (82,552) (2,909,334)

(Increase) decrease in long-term loans (649,680) (121,467) 241,618

(Increase) decrease in other financial investments 86 (104) 124

Cash flows from investing activities/divestments (53,380) (412,464) (1,853,447)

Issues of capital stock 163,596 129,086 212,964

Dividends paid (378,364) (356,860) (300,916)

Increase (decrease) in unappropriated retained earnings - - 13,184 

Increase (decrease) in reserves for revaluation of assets - - -

Increase (decrease) in other equity - - -

Increase (decrease) in short– and long-term debt 586,068 (468,797) 2,309,553

Increase (decrease) in bank overdrafts and other short-term debt (1,220,201) (384,442) 471,386

Decrease (increase) in marketable securities (74,903) 71,021 16,492

Cash flows from financing activities (923,804) (1,009,992) 2,722,663

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (702,327) (680,409) 997,204

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 2,006,256 2,686,665 1,689,461

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 1,303,929 2,006,256 2,686,665
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

The financial statements cover the twelve month period from

January 1 to December 31, 2002.

The following notes form an integral part of the annual financial

statements.

These financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors

on March 20, 2003.

NOTE 1: ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES 

AND METHODS

The financial statements of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain have been

drawn up in accordance with French generally accepted accounting

principles.

The presentation of the statement of income has been adapted to the

activity of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain which is a holding company.

The principle of consistent application of accounting principles from

the previous year has been complied with.

The financial statements of the German branch are included in those

of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain’s head office.

INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Assigned goodwill not covered by any form of legal protection is

amortized over twenty-five years. Other intangible assets are

amortized over periods of between three and five years.

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment are stated at cost (purchase price plus related

costs, excluding expenses incurred on acquisition), except for assets

acquired prior to December 31, 1976, which have been revalued.

Depreciation is based on the estimated useful life of assets using

the straight-line or reducing-balance method. The most commonly

used useful lives are as follows:

FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS, INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES

AND AFFILIATES AND OTHER INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The gross value of these items represents cost excluding expenses.

The book value of investments in holding companies is assessed based

on revalued net assets. Provisions for impairment in value are generally

recorded or written back based on the average of the values obtained

between revalued net assets of the company concerned and capitalized

average net cash flows. Increases and write-backs of provisions against

investment securities are included in exceptional items.

MARKETABLE SECURITIES

Marketable securities mainly include units in SICAV and other mutual

funds recorded at the lower of cost and market.

RECEIVABLES

Receivables are carried at their nominal value. A provision for

impairment in value is recorded when their fair value falls below net

book value.

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the exchange

rate prevailing on the transaction date. Receivables and payables

which are specifically hedged are recorded in the balance sheet at

the hedging rate. Other receivables, payables and bank balances

in foreign currencies, as well as the instruments used to hedge them,

are converted at the year-end rate and the related exchange

differences are recorded in the balance sheet under “Translation

adjustments”. Provisions are booked for exceptional unrealized

exchange losses which are not hedged.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain manages, mainly on behalf of its

subsidiaries, the hedging of foreign exchange and interest rate risks

resulting from the Group’s international activities. 

Liquidity risk, which is also managed by Compagnie de Saint-Gobain,

is not material.

Market risks exclusively concern investments held for strategic

purposes. 

In order to anticipate future developments in the accounting

treatment of financial instruments, the Company amended its

accounting policies in 2001 in order to take into account fair value.

NOTES TO THE PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

- Buildings 40 years Straight-line

- Improvements and additions 12 years Straight-line

- Installations and fittings 5 or 12 years Straight-line

- Office furniture 10 years Straight-line

- Office equipment 5 years Straight-line

- Vehicles 4 years Straight-line

- Computer equipment 3 years Straight-line or 

reducing-balance
136

The presentation of the financial statements for the year ended

December 31, 2002 is unchanged from prior years.

The main financial instruments used to hedge foreign exchange risks

are forward purchase and sale contracts and options. Hedged

receivables and payables are recorded in the balance sheet at the

hedging rate.

The portion representing the extrinsic (time) value of unrealized

gains or losses on currency options used to hedge the above

positions is taken to income, and the portion representing intrinsic

value is recorded in the balance sheet. Unrealized losses on options

which are not classified as hedges are recognized in the income

statement, whereas unrealized gains are not taken into account.

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain uses interest-rate swaps and swaptions

(caps and floors) as well as forward rate agreements to hedge its

exposure to increases in interest rates.

Income and expenses related to interest-rate swaps are recognized

on a symmetrical basis with the expenses and income on the

hedged items.

The portion representing the extrinsic (time) value of unrealized

gains or losses on interest rate options used to hedge the above

positions is taken to income and the portion representing intrinsic

value is recorded in the balance sheet. Interest-rate options which

are not classified as hedges are recognized in the income statement

at market value.

CONSOLIDATED TAX AGREEMENTS

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain is assessed for income tax on its

consolidated fiscal income as provided for under article 209

quinquies of the French Tax Code (CGI) as well as the integrated

tax (Intégration Fiscale) system as provided for under article 223 A

et seq. of the CGI. The tax consolidation agreement in force covers

the fiscal years 2001, 2002 and 2003.

The tax charge of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain includes its own tax

liability as well as that resulting from the consolidated fiscal income

of its tax group.

A provision is booked for the income tax benefit to be transferred

by Compagnie de Saint-Gobain to loss-making subsidiaries in the

tax group when the subsidiaries concerned return to profit.

Movements in this provision are recorded under exceptional items.

NOTE 2: NET FINANCIAL INCOME 

Net financial income decreased by €106 million in 2002, due to

the combined impact of:

- a €241 million reduction in income from investments in

subsidiaries and affiliates; 

- a €136 million decrease in interest expense, net of interes

income;

- a €1 million increase in the amortization charge and additions to

provisions. 

NOTE 3: EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS

Exceptional income mainly corresponds to income from revenue

transactions in an amount of €24 million, proceeds from asse

disposals or contributions of €364 million, and write-backs o

provisions for contingencies and charges and impairment in value

of €105 million (including €104 million written back from the

provision for potential tax liabilities).

Exceptional expenses mainly correspond to expenses on revenue

transactions of €10 million (including €1.4 million paid to

employees under incentive schemes), assets sold or contributed

representing a net book value of €364 million, and amortization

depreciation and provision charges of €43 million. 

NOTE 4: INCOME TAX 

Under the consolidated tax regime and the integrated tax systems

the income tax benefit attributable to Compagnie de Saint-Gobain

is estimated at €30 million for the year ended December 31, 2002

as follows:

- € 48 million tax benefit for 2002;

- €18 million tax charge due to an adjustment to the provision

booked at December 31, 2001 for the fiscal year 2001;

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain is required to credit to a special long

term capital gains reserve, income taxed at the reduced rate of 19%

recorded by the companies included in the integrated tax system

An amount of €34 million will be added to the reserve in 2003

in respect of 2002 income.
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

NOTE 5: INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Intangible assets represent goodwill and other intangible assets

which are amortized over periods of between three and five years.

NOTE 6: PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

NOTE 7: FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS 

Non-current assets Amortization

Gross Increase Decrease Gross Accumulated Increase Decrease Accumulated

at at at at

beginning end beginning end

In € thousands of year of year of year of year

- Goodwill 567 567 408 23 431 

- Other intangible assets 31,321 1,754 33,075 15,710 5,478 21,188 

- In progress 792 169 961 - - 

32,680 1,923 - 34,603 16,118 5,501 - 21,619 

Non-current assets Depreciation

Gross Increase Decrease Gross Accumulated Increase Decrease Accumulated

at at at at

beginning end beginning end

In € thousands of year of year of year of year

- Land 620 620 - - 

- Buildings 487 487 225 10 235 

- Other 11,470 754 (1,886) 10,338 8,445 1,022 (1,840) 7,627 

- In progress 4 (4) 0 - - 

12,581 750 (1,886) 11,445 8,670 1,032 (1,840) 7,862 

Non-current assets

Gross Increase Decrease Gross

In € thousands at beginning of year at end of year

- Investments in subsidiaries and affiliates 7,811,078 444,389 (359,658) 7,895,809 

- Investment-related receivables 6,381,207 2,188,464 (3,029,709) 5,539,962 

- Other investment securities 207,314 162,051 (153,207) 216,158 

- Loans 892,510 1,535,369 (885,689) 1,542,190 

- Other financial investments 1,166 161 (247) 1,080 

15,293,275 4,330,434 (4,428,510) 15,195,199 
138

CHANGES IN INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES:

CHANGES IN OTHER INVESTMENT SECURITIES:

OTHER FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS:

Increase Decrease

In € thousands

Buyout of Lapeyre minority interests 348,403 

Capital stock increase of Partidis 94,000 

Purchase of Saint-Gobain Cristaleria shares 1,284 

Purchase of Saint-Gobain Vetrotex Deutschland Gmbh shares 702 

Sale of Lapeyre shares to Partidis (348,403) 

Disposal of Saint-Gobain Isover Argentina shares (6,715) 

Disposal of CIAM (3,040) 

Liquidation of Parsid (1,006) 

Disposal of Saint-Gobain Deutsche Glass shares (218) 

Disposal of Saint-Gobain K K shares (174) 

Disposal of Saint-Gobain Abrasives Germany shares (102) 

444,389 (359,658) 

Increase Decrease

In € thousands

Purchase of treasury stock on the market 162,051

Cancellation of treasury stock (148,572) 

Sales of treasury stock (4,635) 

Other sales of shares -

162,051 (153,207) 

Gross Maturity

In € thousands Within one year Over one year

Investment-related receivables 5,539,962 2,351,800 3,188,162 

Loans (1) 1,542,190 1,539,538 2,652 

Other 1,080 1,080 

7,083,232 3,891,338 3,191,894 

(1) Loans granted during the year 1,535,369 

Loans repaid during the year 885,689 
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

NOTE 8: CURRENT ASSETS

MATURITY OF RECEIVABLES: 

NOTE 9: SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

MOVEMENTS IN CAPITAL STOCK:

Amounts

In € thousands

Shareholders’ equity before appropriation of net income for 2001 7,575,997 

Distribution in 2002 of the dividend relating to 2001 (378,364) 

Employee share issue (capital and premiums) 163,596 

Reduction in capital stock by the cancellation of 4,953,708 shares (capital and premiums) (148,572) 

Other movements – revaluation surplus and untaxed provisions 484 

Net income for 2002 595,916 

Shareholders’ equity before appropriation of net income for 2002 7,809,057 

Par value of shares at January 1, 2002: €16 Number of shares Amounts

Par value of shares at December 31, 2002: €4 (in € thousands)

Capital stock at beginning of year 85,258,628 1,364,138 

Four-for-one stock split 255,775,884 

Shares issued under the Group Savings Plan 4,703,396 18,814 

Shares issued on exercise of stock options granted in 1995 and 1996 226,480 906 

Cancellation of shares (4,953,708) (19,815) 

Capital stock at year-end 341,010,680 1,364,043

Share issue premiums increased by €15 million as a result of the

share issues and cancellations mentioned above, after taking into

account related expenses and the adjustment to the legal reserve,

which was on a par with last year’s amount.

The reserve for the revaluation of assets remained unchanged at €56

million. 

Following the adoption of the resolutions at the Shareholders’

Meeting of June 6, 2002 concerning the appropriation of 2001 net

income and the adjustment of the dividend paid for that year, retained

earnings increased by €439 million and the long-term capital gains

reserve rose by €275 million.

Lastly, 2002 net income contracted by €497 million compared

with 2001.

Current assets contracted by €585 million in 2002 to

€1,481 million. This decrease reflects the combined impact of a

€702 million reduction in cash and cash equivalents, a €5 million

decrease in prepayments, a €47 million rise in other receivables

and a €75 million increase in marketable securities.

Gross Maturity

In € thousands Within one year Over one year

Other receivables 96,702 96,702 -

Prepayments 3,306 2,364 942 

100,008 99,066 942 
140

STOCK OPTION PLANS:

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain has incentive stock option plans

available to certain employees, and a Group Savings Plan (“PEG”),

or employee stock purchase plan.

The stock option plans allow the Board of Directors to grant options

which allow the holder to obtain Saint-Gobain shares at a price

based on the average share price for the 20-day period preceding

the date of grant. Discounts of 10% and 5% on this average price

were granted in 1997 and 1998 respectively. Such discounts were

discontinued in 1999. 

Options vest over a period of two, three, four or five years with fu

vesting occurring at the end of the vesting period. Options mus

be exercised within eight or ten years from the date of grant and

all rights to options are forfeited if the employee terminates

employment with the Group. 

Since 1997, these plans no longer involve subscription options on

new shares but purchase options on existing shares held in treasury

stock for this purpose.

Data relating to stock options outstanding in 2000, 2001 and 2002

are listed below:

At December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002, 2,089,264, 2,130,560

and 3,413,064 options were exercisable at exercise prices ranging

from €22.88 to €31.27. 

At December 31, 2002, 2,775,444 options were available for gran

under the authorization given by the General Meeting of June 28

2001. 

Shares Average

(€4 par value) exercise price

(in euros)

Options outstanding at January 1, 2000 5,965,776 29.74

Options granted 2,716,500 37.69

Options exercised (370,016) 19.77

Options forfeited (13,836) 15.53

Options outstanding at December 31, 2000 8,298,424 32.81

Options granted 3,774,800 40.22

Options exercised (701,592) 22.25

Options forfeited (83,092) 36.63

Options outstanding at December 31, 2001 11,288,540 35.92

Options granted 3,785,500 23.53

Options exercised (334,456) 23.15

Options forfeited (164,520) 20.39

Options outstanding at December 31, 2002 14,575,064 33.10
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

The following table summarizes information about stock options

outstanding at December 31, 2002:

GROUP SAVINGS PLAN (PEG) 

OF COMPAGNIE DE SAINT-GOBAIN

The PEG employee stock purchase plan is open to all employees

in France and in most European countries who have completed a

minimum of three months’ service with the Group. The plan offers

shares to eligible employees at a 20% discount from the average

price quoted for the shares for the 20-day period preceding the

date of the meeting of the Board of Directors at which the Plan is

set.

Employees can invest for a five or ten-year term. Over this period,

employees may not sell their shares, barring exceptional

circumstances.

Under the PEG, the Group issued 4,703,396, 3,612,600 and

7,824,896 shares with a par value of €4 to employees in 2002,

2001, and 2000, respectively, at an average price per share of

€33.88 in 2002, €33.25 in 2001 and €26.50 in 2000.

Date of grant Options exercisable Options not exercisable Total options Type

outstanding of options

Exercise Number Weighted average Exercise Number Number

price of options remaining contractual price of options of options

(in euros) life (in months) (in euros)

1995 17.53 164,600 11 164,600 Subscription

1996 21.42 505,980 23 505,980 Subscription

1997 28.47 904,904 35 904,904 Purchase

1998 29.54 669,880 47 29.54 540,800 1,210,680 Purchase

1999 40.63 1,167,700 83 40.63 503,200 1,670,900 Purchase

2000 37.69 0 95 37.69 2,637,700 2,637,700 Purchase

2001 40.22 0 107 40.22 3,694,800 3,694,800 Purchase

2002 23.53 0 119 23.53 3,785,500 3,785,500 Purchase

Total - 3,413,064 - - 11,162,000 14,575,064

Other equity (€391 million) corresponds to non-voting participating

securities in French francs and ecus issued between 1983 and

1988, which were converted into euros in 1999.

NOTE 10: OTHER EQUITY 
142

NOTE 11: PROVISIONS

NOTE 12: DEBT AND PAYABLES

Total debt and payables decreased by €849 million to €8,076

million in 2002, mainly due to reductions in debt (€634 million), 

taxes and social charges payable (€26 million) and other payables

(€189 million). 

MATURITIES OF DEBT AND PAYABLES:

Opening Increase Decrease At year-end

balance

In € thousands

UNTAXED PROVISIONS

- Reinvested capital gains 6,427 6,427 

- Other 198 266 (84) 380 

6,625 266 (84) 6,807 

PROVISIONS FOR CONTINGENCIES

- For potential tax liabilities (1) 445,833 (103,633) 342,200 

- For exchange losses 0 0 

- Other 381 634 1,015 

446,214 634 (103,633) 343,215 

PROVISIONS FOR CHARGES

- Other 9,588 506 (74) 10,020 

9,588 506 (74) 10,020 

PROVISIONS FOR IMPAIRMENT IN VALUE

- Financial investments 33,659 42,401 (1,976) 74,084 

- Marketable securities 0 0 

33,659 42,401 (1,976) 74,084 

(1) In connection with the integrated tax system and consolidated tax regime, 

€104 million was written back from the provision for potential tax liabilities to reflect an adjustment in the level of risk of subsidiaries returning to profit.

Gross Maturity

In € thousands Within one year Over one year

Bonds (1) 1,255,867 27,940 1,227,927 

Bank borrowings (1) (2) 716,522 261,064 455,458 

Other short- and long-term debt (1) – (3) 6,007,077 1,636,273 4,370,804 

Taxes and social charges payable 11,864 11,864 -

Other payables (3) 84,470 84,470 -

Deferred income - - -

Total debt and payables (4) 8,075,800 2,021,611 6,054,189 

(1) Issued during the year 1,977,017 

Repaid during the year 2,611,150 

(2) of which:

- two years or less at inception 234,419 

- over two years at inception 482,103 

(3) Of which due to partners -

(4) Of which debt due in over 5 years 1,866,948 
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

LONG-TERM AND SHORT-TERM DEBT

Long-term and short-term debt can be analyzed as follows by currency:

2002 2001 2000

In € thousands

LONG-TERM PORTION OF LONG-TERM DEBT

Due between January 1 and December 31: 

- 2002 - - 615,040 

- 2003 - 279,789 210,293 

- 2004 546,053 381,498 372,861 

- 2005 1,277,132 1,318,486 1,300,082 

- 2006 699,813 776,394 98,252 

- 2007 1,664,243 279,469 -

- 2008 846,206 - -

Due between 6 and 10 years 986,250 1,848,185 1,881,035 

Due beyond 10 years -- -

Unspecified 34,493 34,634 34,706 

Total long-term portion of long-term debt 6,054,190 4,918,455 4,512,269 

Short-term portion of long-term debt 225,781 847,633 1,652,616 

TOTAL LONG-TERM DEBT (INCLUDING SHORT-TERM PORTION) 6,279,971 5,766,088 6,164,885 

OTHER SHORT-TERM DEBT

Treasury notes (in euros) 235,500 971,000 92,000 

Treasury notes (in US dollars) 76,285 - -

Euro Commercial Paper (in euros) 201,300 - -

Euro Commercial Paper (in pounds sterling) - 172,555 152,860 

Euro Commercial Paper (in US dollars) 123,009 347,782 161,204 

US Commercial Paper (in US dollars) - - 516,926 

Borrowings from Group entities 810,563 1,053,198 1,998,615 

Bank overdrafts and other short-term borrowings 234,419 282,363 357,882 

Other 18,419 20,613 22,466 

TOTAL OTHER SHORT-TERM DEBT 1,699,495 2,847,511 3,301,953 

TOTAL LONG- AND SHORT-TERM DEBT 7,979,466 8,613,599 9,466,838

2002 2001 2000

In € thousands

Euros 3,829,414 2,997,675 4,380,145 

US dollars 1,160,482 1,472,092 770,961 

Swiss francs 282,177 276,373 269,061 

Pounds sterling 954,094 1,019,948 744,718 

Czech koruna 47,576 - -

Norwegian krone 6,228 - -

Total 6,279,971 5,766,088 6,164,885 
144

On February 18, 2002, Compagnie de Saint-Gobain issued

4,380,953 “OCEANE” bonds that are convertible into new or existing

shares. These bonds have a nominal value of €210 each, and the

total issue came to €920 million. The annual interest rate for these

“OCEANE” bonds is 2.625% payable in arrears on January 1 each

year.

The bonds will be redeemed in full on January 1, 2007 in cash at

nominal value, i.e. €210 per bond, or they may be repurchased

before maturity by Compagnie de Saint-Gobain on the market or in

connection with a public buyback offer. The Company may also

decide to carry out an early redemption of all outstanding “OCEANE”

bonds, subject to certain conditions, which include share price

thresholds.

Each “OCEANE”” bond may be converted or exchanged for fou

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain shares. This ratio may, however, be

adjusted if the Company carries out certain financial operations.

Therefore if all of the bonds were converted at the rate initially provided

for, the holders would receive a total of 17,523,812 shares

representing 5% of the Company’s capital at December 31, 2002. 

Net amount concerning Net amount

Related Companies in which Other in the balance

companies Compagnie de Saint-Gobain sheet

In € thousands has a direct holding

Investments in subsidiaries and affiliates 7,714,987 175,212 7,890,199 

Investment-related receivables 5,537,709 2,253 5,539,962 

Other investment securities 147,198 486 147,684 

Loans 1,028,624 210,516 303,050 1,542,190 

Other receivables 19,318 31 77,353 96,702 

Cash and cash equivalents 1,208,940 46,172 48,817 1,303,929 

Bonds 1,255,867 1,255,867 

Bank borrowings 716,522 716,522 

Other borrowings 4,900,371 232,176 874,530 6,007,077 

Other payables 4,386 2 80,082 84,470

NOTE 13: INFORMATION CONCERNING

RELATED COMPANIES 

AND INVESTMENTS
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

NOTE 14: INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO

Country Net book % interest Number of

In € thousands value shares

Spafi France 2,726,540 100.00 116,289,805 

Partidis France 2,065,919 100.00 78,262,892 

Saint-Gobain Matériaux de Construction France 738,712 100.00 21,325,936 

Saint-Gobain Cristaleria Spain 211,220 23.91 3,659,866 

Vertec France 491,039 100.00 8,008,999 

Raab Karcher Gmbh Germany 194,609 100.00 100,000,000 

Cie de Saint-Gobain (treasury stock) France 147,198 1.51 5,159,816 

Vivendi Universal France 168,004 1.15 12,314,927 

Saint-Gobain Glass Benelux SA Belgium 160,880 88.69 1,667,698 

Saint-Gobain Isover G+H AB Germany 153,669 99.88 3,196,296 

International Saint-Gobain Switzerland 153,409 96.50 221,950 

Saint-Gobain Vetrotex Deutschland Gmbh Germany 153,669 100.00 45,000,000 

Saint-Gobain Vidros SA Brazil 118,069 54.46 115,072,390 

São Lourenço Brazil 109,559 99.91 3,617,581 

Saint-Gobain Glass Deutschland Gmbh Germany 86,660 60.00 119,999,970 

Saint-Gobain Autoglas Gmbh Germany 72,833 60.00 120,000,000 

Saint-Gobain Emballage France 61,553 20.52 331,964 

Saint-Gobain Schleifmittel-Beteiligungen Gmbh Germany 61,151 100.00 20,000,000 

SEPR France 56,571 25.73 407,600 

Société Financière des Miroirs France 45,735 100.00 2,999,994 

Saint-Gobain PAM France 30,732 8.10 360,255 

Saint-Gobain Nederland Netherlands 13,621 100.00 66,100 

Valfix Finanz A.G. Switzerland 8,838 100.00 11,400 

Various real-estate companies 3,428 

Various French companies 848 

Various non-French companies 3,417 

8,037,883 

ANALYSIS:

Investments in subsidiaries and affiliates 7,890,199 

Other investment securities 147,684 

8,037,883 

Stock market price at December 31, 2002

(in € thousands)

Vivendi Universal 189,527 

NOTE 15: STOCK MARKET VALUE OF INVESTMENTS

HELD IN FRENCH COMPANIES
146

Capital Reserves % Book value of Loans and Guarantees 2002 2002 net Dividends

In thousands of euros stock interest capital held advances given by sales income/ received by

or other currency granted by the (loss) the Company

Gross Net the Company Company in 2002

1 - SUBSIDIARIES

(At least 50% of the capital held

by Compagnie de Saint-Gobain)

Spafi

18, avenue d’Alsace EUR EUR EUR

F - 92400 Courbevoie 1,860,637 1,297,295 100.00 2,726,540 2,726,540 46,039 - 191,204 162,806 

Partidis

18, avenue d’Alsace EUR EUR EUR EUR

F - 92400 Courbevoie 1,193,509 (13,021) 100.00 2,065,919 2,065,919 1,604,970 4,731 (4,741) 

Saint-Gobain Matériaux 

de Construction

18, avenue d’Alsace EUR EUR EUR EUR

F - 92400 Courbevoie 325,221 3,218 100.00 738,712 738,712 1,156 6,852 72,666 31,136 

Vertec

18, avenue d’Alsace EUR EUR EUR

F - 92400 Courbevoie 128,144 365,020 100.00 491,039 491,039 - 182,691 176,198 

Raab Karcher Baustoffe 

Gmbh

Hanauer Landstrasse, 150 EUR EUR EUR

D-60314 Frankfurt am Main 100,000 94,600 100.00 194,609 194,609 179,803 - (44,019) 

Saint-Gobain Glass Benelux SA

Rue des Glaces Nationales, 169 EUR EUR EUR EUR

B-5060 Sambreville 70,900 89,902 88.69 160,880 160,880 152,825 8,970 8,872 

Saint-Gobain Isover G+H AG

1 Burgermeister-Grünzweig 

Strasse EUR EUR EUR EUR EUR

D-67059 Ludwigshafen 82,000 11,291 99.88 153,669 153,669 306,571 17,959 

Saint-Gobain Vetrotex 

Deutschland Gmbh

Bicheroux Strasse 61 EUR EUR EUR EUR

D-52134 Herzogenrath 23,008 132,936 100.00 153,669 153,669 80,261 22,795 

International Saint-Gobain

10, rue Saint-Pierre CHF CHF CHF

CH-1700 Fribourg 230,000 118,614 96.50 153,409 153,409 - 83,308 27,823 

Saint-Gobain Vidros SA

482, avenida Santa Marina

Agua Branca BRL BRL BRL BRL

05036-903 São Paulo-SP (Brazil) 420,000 248,924 54.46 118,069 118,069 783,713 114,258 8,646 

São Lourenço 

Administradora

482, avenida Santa Marina

Agua Branca BRL BRL BRL

05036-903 São Paulo-SP (Brazil) 175,654 129,623 99.91 109,559 109,559 - 49,823 7,300 

Saint-Gobain Glass Deutschland

Gmbh

Viktoria - Allee 3-5 EUR EUR EUR EUR

D-52066 Aachen 102,258 82,899 60.00 86,660 86,660 335,990 24,007 

Saint-Gobain Autoglas

Gmbh

Viktoria - Allee 3-5 EUR EUR EUR

D-52066 Aachen 102,258 19,130 60.00 72,833 72,833 - 11,841 

Saint-Gobain Schleifmittel

-Beteiligungen Gmbh

Viktoria - Allee 3-5 EUR EUR EUR

D-52066 Aachen 10,226 50,925 100.00 61,151 61,151 - (16,929) 

Société Financière 

des Miroirs

18, avenue d’Alsace EUR EUR EUR

F - 92400 Courbevoie 45,750 1,376 100.00 45,735 45,735 - 974 1,290 

NOTE 16: INFORMATION ON DIRECT HOLDINGS OF THE PARENT COMPANY 

WHERE BOOK VALUE EXCEEDS 1% OF CAPITAL
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

Capital Reserves % Book value Loans and Guarantees 2002 2002 net Dividends

in thousands of euros stock interest of capital held advances given sales income/ received by

granted by by the (loss) the Company

Gross Net the Company Company in 2002

2 - INVESTMENTS

(10 to 50% of the capital held

by Compagnie de Saint-Gobain)

Saint-Gobain Cristaleria

Edificio Ederra Centro Azca

Paseo de la Castellana 77 EUR EUR EUR EUR

E - 28046 Madrid 91,988 399,634 23.91 211,220 211,220 188,521 453,233 88,450 10,577 

Saint-Gobain Emballage

18, avenue d’Alsace EUR EUR EUR EUR

F - 92400 Courbevoie 42,069 320,627 20.52 61,553 61,553 46,170 607,918 250,449 25,103 

SEPR

18, avenue d’Alsace EUR EUR EUR EUR

F - 92400 Courbevoie 76,033 13,614 25.73 56,571 56,571 111,425 235,537 10,342 6,489 

OTHERS

Subsidiaries over 50%-owned

- Total French companies 3,899 3,899 209,343 834 

- Total foreign companies 25,962 25,000 542,295 4,230,294 2,638 

Holdings of between 10 and 50%

- Total French companies - - - -

- Total foreign companies 5,296 648 - 89 

Other 415,013 346,539 63,535 24,181 

Total 8,111,967 8,037,883 2,993,257 4,230,294 493,982 

Commitments relating to financial instruments concerning foreign

currency risks are as follows: Commitments given Amount

(in € thousands)

Guarantees (1) 4,301,771 

Pensions (2) 38,417 

Other commitments given:

concerning joint ventures 5,194 

TOTAL 4,345,382 

Including : 

(1) consolidated companies 4,230,294 

Commitments received Amount

(in € thousands)

Other commitments received:

Debt waivers with a clawback clause 3,720 

TOTAL 3,720 

Including: 

Other investments 3,720 

Amount

(in thousands of currency)

Equivalent in euros of forward purchases 

and sales of foreign exchange EUR 173,370 

Options purchased -

Options sold -

Currency swaps EUR 503,479 

NOTE 17: FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS

EXCLUDING LEASES

(2) The amount in respect of pensions includes commitments for retirement indemnities and supplementary in-house funding. Pension obligations 

are determined by actuarial valuations using a method based on projected 

end-of-career salaries (the projected unit credit method).
148

NOTE 18: LEASE COMMITMENTS

Amount

In € thousands

Swaps – borrowers at fixed rates/variable rate EUR 317,081 

Swaps – lenders at fixed rates/variable rate EUR 1,357,079 

Swaps – variable rate/variable rate EUR 22,914 

Swaps – fixed rate/fixed rate EUR -

Cross-currency swaps – borrowers at fixed rates/variable rate EUR 444,768 

Cross-currency swaps – lenders at fixed rates/variable rate EUR 287,721 

Cross-currency swaps – variable rate/variable rate EUR 6,647 

Cross-currency swaps – fixed rate/fixed rate EUR 476,781 

Caps purchased / (sold), net EUR (27,500) 

Swaps on raw materials - borrowers EUR 1,684 

Swaps on raw materials - lenders EUR 1,684 

Commitments relating to financial instruments concerning interest

rate risks are as follows:

The face value amount of commitments given and received in the

form of swaptions and early repayments of borrowings amounted

to €229 million and €199 million respectively.

NOTE 19: EMPLOYEES

WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES:

Head office 

In € thousands

Cost 80,798 

Depreciation:

- Accumulated at beginning of year 7,199 

- Charge for the year 1,464 

Total 8,663

Installments paid:

- Accumulated at beginning of year 44,284 

- Paid during the year 9,168 

Total 53,452 

Installments to be paid:

- within one year 8,976 

- between one and five years 35,902 

- beyond five years 9,748 

Total 54,626

Residual values:

- within one year -

- between one and five years -

- beyond five years 12,120 

Total 12,120

Excluding the German branch 2002 2001 2000

Managers 166 167 165

Supervisors 67 71 73

Other employees 7 11 11

Total 240 249 249

of which fixed term contracts 4 7 8

REMUNERATION OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE OFFICERS:

The total direct and indirect remuneration received by Corporate

Officers from Group companies in France and abroad amounted to

€13 million in 2002, €12.9 million in 2001 and €12.6 million in

2000. The gross variable portion included in these remuneration

amounts came to €4.6 million in 2002, €4.7 million in 2001 and

€5.2 million in 2000.

Attendance fees paid to Directors amounted to €0.5 million in

2002 (2001: €0.5 million; 2000: €0.3 million).
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

NOTE 20: LITIGATION

In France, at December 31, 2002, 397 lawsuits based on

“inexcusable fault” (“faute inexcusable”) had been filed by former

employees (or persons claiming through them) of Everite and SaintGobain PAM (“the employers”), which in the past had carried on

fiber-cement operations, for asbestos-related occupational diseases,

with the aim of obtaining supplementary compensation over and

above the assumption of occupational diseases compensation by

the French Social Security. 

At the end of 2002, 123 of these 397 lawsuits had been heard by

the Court of Appeal which issued rulings holding the employers

liable on the grounds of “inexcusable fault” in all of the cases. These

rulings were all appealed to the Cour de Cassation (the French

final court of appeal) by the company concerned. 15 of these

appeals, lodged by Everite, were heard by the Cour de Cassation

and dismissed on February 28, 2002.

However, in 89 of the 123 appeal court rulings against the

employers on the grounds of inexcusable fault, the Social Security

authorities were ordered to pay the compensation for the victims

for procedural reasons (statute of limitations, liability issues

(“inopposabilité”)). 51 of these rulings were confirmed by the

Cour de Cassation on November 26 and December 12, 2002. 

At December 31, 2002, compensation payable by Everite and SaintGobain PAM, for the 44 cases (since the beginning) where they had

been required to assume the burden of compensation, amounted

to a total of €4 million, which has been expensed. 

In addition, at December 31, 2002, 63 suits based on inexcusable

fault had been filed by current or former employees of seven

French companies in the Group, in particular involving

circumstances where equipment containing asbestos had been

used to protect against heat from ovens. In all of the rulings issued

by end-2002, the employees’ claims were dismissed. A final ruling

has been handed down in 3 of these cases and the 9 others have

been appealed to the Cour de Cassation by the employees

concerned. Six of these cases have now been heard by the Cour

de Cassation, which dismissed the appeals on December 12,

2002, ruling that the employer was not liable for “inexcusable fault”. 

A fund has also been created in France known as the FIVA. It is

intended to fully compensate the loss of persons officially recognized

as having contracted occupational diseases caused by 

asbestos, as well as of all persons who have been exposed to

asbestos on French territory. A decree dated October 23, 2001

sets out the conditions relating to the operation of the fund, the

compensation procedure applicable and claims of subrogation

made by the fund itself. Any person who accepts an offer of

compensation from the fund will be barred from taking legal action

to obtain other compensation on the same grounds, including any

claim for “inexcusable fault” against an employer. However, once

the applicant has accepted an offer of compensation, the fund must

make a subrogated claim against any employer considered to be

responsible for the loss concerned. 

On January 27, 2003 the fund published guidelines in the form of

a compensation scale. At December 31, 2002, as far as the Group

is aware, no current or former employees of the Group’s French

companies had applied for compensation from the fund. However,

four former employees have indicated that they intend to

discontinue their “inexcusable fault” lawsuits already commenced,

in order to bring their claims before the fund. 

In the United States, three Group companies that once

manufactured products containing asbestos such as fiber-cement

pipes, roofing products or specialized insulation, are facing legal

action from persons other than the employees or former employees

of the companies. The claims are based on alleged exposure to

the products although in the vast majority of cases the claimants

cannot demonstrate any specific exposure to one or more products,

or any specific illness or physical disability. The majority of these

claims are made simultaneously against many other non-Group

entities which have been manufacturers, distributors, installers or

users of products containing asbestos.

CertainTeed, the main US subsidiary involved in these cases, was

for a long period a member of the Center for Claims Resolution,

an organization which grouped together defendants facing the same

type of claims and handled the defense of all such claims; and

allocated court awards, negotiated out of court settlements and

defense costs among the organization members on the basis of a

pre-agreed pro-rata formula. Since February 1, 2001 the organization

no longer represents its members in this way, and CertainTeed

now assumes directly the defense of claims made against it, which

increased significantly in 2001 with a total of 60,000 new cases. 
150

This trend continued in 2002, with some 67,000 new claims filed

against CertainTeed during the year. The vast majority of these

new claims are “mass” actions which can involve hundreds or even

thousands of plaintiffs making claims for damages against dozens

of companies operating in different economic sectors, without

providing evidence of any specific exposure to any product allegedly

manufactured by CertainTeed, or of any specific illness or physical

disability. Only around 5% of these new lawsuits involve a serious

illness, cancer or mesothelioma.

Almost all of the claims against CertainTeed are settled out of court.

Some 44,000 such settlements were entered into in 2002. Taking

into account the 84,000 outstanding cases at the end of 2001

and the new cases having arisen during 2002, some 107,000 claims

were outstanding at December 31, 2002.

The average individual cost of settlement based on all claims settled

decreased to $1,955 in 2002, from $2,800 a year earlier. Total

compensation paid for these cases - including claims settled in 2001

but paid out in 2002, and those fully settled and paid in 2002 -

amounted to $103 million in 2002 (versus $53 million in 2001).

$96 million of this amount has been or will be covered by insurance. 

In view of all of these developments, the Group recorded a €100

million charge in 2002 to make provision for such claims which may

arise or subsist in the future, including €50 million recorded in the

first half of the year. At December 31, 2002 the Group’s total cover

for asbestos-related claims against CertainTeed in the United States

amounted to €426 million, comprised of insurance coverage

available at that date and the provision existing at that date referred

to above. This cover represents approximately 4 to 5 years of total

compensation payments based on the corresponding figure for

2002.

In Brazil, Brasilit and Eterbras offer an agreed amount of

compensation to their former employees for asbestos-related

occupational diseases, as well as permanent medical assistance.

Only a few disputes were outstanding at December 31, 2002, which

do not give rise to any significant risks for the subsidiaries concerned.

NOTE 21: SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

No material events have occurred since the accounts-closing date.

NOTE 22: RECOMMENDED APPROPRIATION OF

INCOME

In € thousands

SOURCES

Unappropriated retained 

earnings at Dec. 31, 2002 (1) 865,882 

Net income for the year 595,916 

APPROPRIATIONS

Appropriation to reserves:

Untaxed reserves:

Long-term capital gains reserve (2) (7,706) 

Dividends (3) 379,511 

Unappropriated retained earnings 1,089,993 

TOTAL 1,461,798 1,461,798

(1) Reflects a €118 thousand adjustment due to the 26,150 treasury shares sold between March 28, 2002, the date of the Board meeting approving the financia

statements, and June 24, 2002 when payment of the dividend began. (2) Representing the net impact of the appropriation of a provisional amount of

€34,068 thousand for 2002 less a €41,774 thousand adjustment to the provisional appropriation to long-term capital gains reserves made in 2001,

resulting in a total deduction of €7,706 thousand from the reserve.

(3) On the basis of 341,010,680 shares, less 5,159,816 treasury shares, i.e.

335,850,864 dividend-earning shares.
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL SUMMARY

2002 2001 2000 1999 1998

In € thousands

1 - Capital stock at year-end

Capital stock 1,364,043 1,364,138 1,363,412 1,395,788 1,376,550 

Number of common shares outstanding 341,010,680 85,258,628 85,213,263 87,236,750 90,295,788 

2 – Operations and results for the year

Sales excluding taxes (1) 156,150 149,431 138,313 113.,942 106,618 

Earnings before tax, depreciation and provisions 507,093 1,115,028 1,087,460 600,175 706,362 

Income tax 30,396 15,020 (46,464) (36,209) (85,228)

Net income after tax, depreciation and provisions 595,916 1,092,872 1,014,611 573,860 593,887 

Dividend distribution (2) 379,511 (3) 378,246 (4) 356,860 (5) 300,916 (6) 268,403

3 - Earnings per share (in €)

Earnings per share before tax, depreciation and provisions 1.49 13.08 12.76 6.88 7.82 

Earnings per share after tax, depreciation and provisions 1.75 12.82 11.91 6.58 6.58 

Net dividend per share 1.13 4.50 4.30 3;60 3.20 

4 - Personnel (7)

Average number of employees during the year 240 249 249 239 234 

Total payroll cost for the year 25,094 24,389 20,525 19,066 18,769 

Total benefits for the year 13,850 12,956 11,330 9.139 8.338 

(1) Represents royalties and other services.

(2) On the basis of 341,010,680 shares, less 5,159,816 treasury shares at March 20, 2003, i.e. 335,850,864 dividend-earning shares.

(3) Reflects a €118 thousand adjustment due to the 26,150 treasury shares sold between March 28, 2002, the date of the Board meeting approving the financial statements,

and June 24, 2002 when payment of the dividend began.

(4) Reflects a €451 thousand adjustment due to the 104,854 treasury shares acquired between March 29, 2001, the date of the Board meeting approving the financial

statements, and July 2, 2001 when payment of the dividend began. 

(5) Reflects a €3,889 thousand adjustment due to the 1,080,200 treasury shares acquired between March 30, 2000, the date of the Board meeting approving the financial

statements, and July 3, 2000 when payment of the dividend began.

(6) Reflects a €13,184 thousand adjustment due to the 4,120,000 treasury shares acquired between March 25, 1999, the date of the Board meeting approving the financial

statements, and June 29, 1999 when payment of the dividend began.

(7) Personnel figures exclude the German branch.
152

Translated from the original French language report

To the shareholders,

In compliance with the assignment entrusted to us by your Annual

General Meeting, we hereby report to you, for the year ended

December 31, 2002 on:

- the audit of the accompanying financial statements of Compagnie

de Saint-Gobain, expressed in euros,

- the specific verifications and information required by the law.

These financial statements have been approved by the Board of

Directors. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these

financial statements based on our audit.

1. OPINION ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

We conducted our audit in accordance with the professional

standards applied in France. Those standards require that we plan

and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about

whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.

An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting

the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit

also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant

estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall

financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides

a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements give a true and fair view o

the Company's financial position and its assets and liabilities as o

December 31, 2002 and of the results of its operations for the

year then ended in accordance with French accounting principles

and regulations.

2. SPECIFIC VERIFICATIONS AND INFORMATION 

We have also performed the specific verifications required by the

law, in accordance with the professional standards applied in France

We have no comments as to the fair presentation and the conformity

with the financial statements of the information given in the

management report of the Board of Directors and in the documents

addressed to the shareholders with respect to the financial position

and the financial statements.

In accordance with the law, we have verified that the managemen

report contains the appropriate disclosures as to the acquisition o

shares and controlling interests, together with the identity of the

principal shareholders and cross-shareholdings.

Paris, March 20, 2003

The Statutory Auditors

PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit S.E.C.E.F.

Mike MORALEE Christian MARCELLIN Jacques TENETTE 

STATUTORY AUDITORS’ REPORT ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE

100% owned by Vertec.

Manufacturing and processing of flat glass.

Float glass plants in Aniche (Nord) and Chantereine (Oise),

northern France.

2002 sales: €249.8 million. 

This figure includes Eurofloat, a float glass plant serving 

the European market, in Salaise-sur-Sanne (Isère, 

southeastern France).

Employees: 1,016.

Subsidiaries and holdings

• Saint-Gobain Sekurit France - France, Saint-Gobain Glass

Exprover - Belgium. See company profiles. 

• Saint-Gobain Produits Industriels (SGAI), M. O. Pays de Loire,

Comptoir des Glaces et Produits Verriers, M. O. Atlantique

(holds 100% of Atlantique Miroiterie Service), Les Vitrages

de Saint-Gobain Normandie, M. O. Semiver-Climaver, M. O.

Charentes-Limousin, M. O. Armorique, Miroiterie du Rhin,

Société Verrière Française (SVF), Sovedys, Sivaq, Centre Est

Vitrage (CEV), Charles André, Soprover, Société Verrière de

l’Atlantique (SVA), Le Vitrage du Midi (LVM), Glassver, Gobba

Vitrage, Auvergne Isolation, Vitrages Isolants d’Auvergne,

Alp’Verre, Courbu, Verreries d’Aurys (100%), Pierre Pradel,

(73.9%), Wehr Miroiterie (100%), Emaillerie Alsacienne

(100%), Technifer (100%), Techniverre (100%) - France.

Distribution and processing of flat glass products for the

building industry. Sales of the processing subsidiaries:

€426.9 million. Employees: 3,272.

• Eurokera (50%). Keraglass (plant in Bagneaux-sur-Loing,

Seine-et-Marne, Paris area) - France (50%). Production and

sale of glass ceramic cooktops. Eurokera North America 

– USA (50%), Borgna Veder (100%) which holds 100% of

Saint-Gobain Euroveder Italia - Italy. Tempered glass for

home appliances. Sales: €123.2 million. Employees: 481.

FRANCE

(a) Corresponding to services relating to the implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning systems carried out by the network’s consulting entity, prior to its disposal on September 30, 2002.

PricewaterhouseCoopers SECEF

(in € millions) Amount % Amount %

Audit

• Statutory audit and contractual audits

France 2.9 13% 0.3 100%

Outside France 8.0 36% - -

Total 10.9 49% 0.3 100%

• Other engagements 1.1 5% - -

Sub-total 12.0 54% 0.3 100%

Other services

• Legal and tax advisory services

France - - -

Outside France 1.7 8% - -

Total 1.7 8% - -

• Information technology(a)

France 0.1 0% - -

Outside France 8.4 38% - -

Total 8.5 38% - -

• Internal audit - - - -

• Other 0.1 0% - -

Sub-total 10.3 46% - -

TOTAL 22.3 100% 0.3 100%

IX - INFORMATION ON SUBSIDIARIES

FEES PAID BY THE GROUP TO THE STATUTORY AUDITORS AND MEMBERS 

OF THEIR NETWORKS IN 2002 
154

SAINT-GOBAIN VETROTEX FRANCE

100% owned by Spafi.

Manufactures and sells fiberglass for reinforcements.

Plant in Chambéry (Savoie, southeastern France).

2002 sales: €114.5 million.

Employees: 545.

Subsidiaries and holdings 

• Saint-Gobain Vetrotex International - France (84.4%).

Research and Development center, export sales.

Headquarters in Chambéry (Savoie, southeastern France).

Holds: Saint-Gobain Vetrotex Renforcement - France (100%);

Saint-Gobain Vetrotex Glasmat - France (100%); 

Saint-Gobain Vetrotex Reinforcement GmbH - Germany (100%)

Syncoglas - Belgium (99.9%); Verigex - Italy (100%);

Vetrotex Svenska AB - Sweden (100%); Vetrotex Ltd -

United Kingdom (100%); Vetrotex Reinforcement Bohemia

- Czech Republic (100%). Distribution companies. 

Saint-Gobain Vetrotex Korea Ltd - South Korea (98.6%).

See company profile. Saint-Gobain Vetrotex Thailand -

Thailand (100%). NSG Vetrotex KK - Japan (60%). Sales:

3.4 billion yen. Employees: 277. Saint-Gobain Recherche

(8.2%) - France (see under Saint-Gobain Glass France).

Hangzhou Saint-Gobain Vetrotex - China (82.9%). SaintGobain Vetrotex India - India (100%). Saint-Gobain RF Pty

Ltd - Australia (85.7%).

• Saint-Gobain Lorcet - France (100%). Manufactures glass

cloths.

PARTIDIS

100%-owned by Compagnie de Saint-Gobain.

Distribution of building materials.

2002 sales: €5.61 billion.

Employees (including subsidiaries): 28,273.

Subsidiaries and holdings

• Saint-Gobain Plc - United Kingdom (74.7%). See company

profile.

• Point.P (100%) - France. Building materials distribution through

11 regional companies (Brittany, Central France, Eastern France,

Paris region, Loire region, Southern France, Northern France,

Normandy, PACA, BMRA, South-West France). 3 national

companies (CEDEO, SFIC, Asturienne). La Plateforme du

Bâtiment banner (14 retail outlets in France). SG Point. P España

+ La Plateforme España. 1,336 retail outlets (1,304 in France, 

17 in Spain, plus 14 La Plateforme du Bâtiment outlets in France,

1 in Spain). Sales: €4,180.5 million. Employees: 18,625.

• Lapeyre - France and international (100%). Distribution of

home improvement products under the following banners:

Lapeyre-La Maison, K par K, Gimm, Atlantique, Menuiseries

Françaises, Oxxo, Les Zelles, Okfens (Poland) and

Telhanorte (Brazil). 2002 sales: €1,416.1 million.

Employees: 9,323.

• La Plateforme Polska - Poland (100%). Sales: 42.8 million

zloty. Employees: 144.

• La Plataforma Para La Construcción - Mexico (100%).

Employees: 94

• Sovis - France (100%). Tempered glass for home

appliances, industrial and scientific optics, radiation-proof

glass. Plants in Jouarre (Seine-et-Marne, Paris area)

and Château-Thierry (Aisne, northern France). 

Sales: €22 million. Employees: 209.

• Verreries de Saint-Just - France (100%). Decorative glass.

Plant at Saint-Just-Saint-Rambert (Loire, central France).

Employees: 99.

• Saint-Gobain Sully Produits Spéciaux - France (100%). 

Flat glass for trains and the aeronautics industry. Plant in

Sully-sur-Loire (Loiret, central France). Employees: 466.

• Samin (29.4%). See Saint-Gobain Emballage.

• Saint-Gobain Glass Logistics - France (100%). Transport.

• Saint-Gobain Recherche - France (32.7%). The remainder

of capital stock is held by the Group’s other French glass

companies. Headquarters in Aubervilliers (Seine-Saint-Denis,

Paris area).

SAINT-GOBAIN SEKURIT FRANCE

100%-owned by Saint-Gobain Glass France.

Processing for the automobile industry.

Plants in Aniche (Nord) and Chantereine (Oise), 

northern France. 2002 sales: €257 million.

Employees: 1,212.

These figures include those of Saint-Gobain Sekurit France

and Société Verrière d’Encapsulation.

Holds.

• Saint-Gobain Autover - France (100%). Distribution

and processing of flat glass for the automobile industry.

Sales: €19.2 million. Employees: 82. 

• Société Verrière d’Encapsulation - France (100%).

Encapsulation of glass for the auto industry. Saint-Gobain

Sekurit Glass India (85.8%) - India.

SAINT-GOBAIN ISOVER

100%-owned by Spafi.

Production and processing of glass wool and rock wool

insulation products.

Plants in Orange (Vaucluse, southeastern France), 

Chalon-sur-Saône (Saône-et-Loire, eastern France), 

Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray (Seine- Maritime, northwest

France), Rantigny (Oise, northern France).

2002 sales: €225.8 million.

Employees: 889.

Subsidiaries and holdings

• Saint-Gobain Vetrotex France - France. See company profile.

• Saint-Gobain Eurocoustic - France (51%). Production of

rock wool insulation products. Plant in Genouillac

(Creuse, central France). Sales: €32.6 million.

Employees: 152.

• Saint-Gobain Ecophon SA - France (50%). Acoustic ceilings.

• Saint-Gobain Recherche - France (32.7%). See

Saint-Gobain Glass France

• Samin - France (19.6%). See Saint-Gobain Emballage.

• Saint-Gobain Beijing Isover Glasswool - China (29.5%).

Employees: 149.

• CSR Guandong Glasswool - China (15%).
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

SAINT-GOBAIN EMBALLAGE

Owned 20.5% by Compagnie de Saint-Gobain and 79.5%

by Vertec.

Manufactures glass containers (industrial bottles and jars).

Plants in Chalon-sur-Saône (Saône-et-Loire), Cognac

(Charente), Lagnieu (Ain), Oiry (Marne), Saint-Romain-le-Puy

(Loire), Vauxrot (Aisne).

2002 sales: €593.5 million.

Employees: 2,101.

Subsidiaries and holdings

• Saint-Gobain Desjonquères - France. Saint-Gobain Oberland

AG - Germany, Saint-Gobain Vetri - Italy. See company

profiles.

• Saint-Gobain Recherche - France (24.6%). see SaintGobain Glass France

• VOA Verrerie d’Albi - France (98.8%). Glass containers

(bottles). Plant in Albi (Tarn). Sales: €66 million.

Employees: 301.

• Samin - France (51%). Operates quarries. Employees: 173.

• Saga Decor - France (51%). Decoration of bottles and jars.

Sales: €19.1 million. Employees: 235.

• Établissements René Salomon - France (100%).

Distribution of bottles.

• Vetreria Etrusca SRL - Italy (24%). Glass containers.

SAINT-GOBAIN DESJONQUÈRES

100% owned by Saint-Gobain Emballage.

Manufactures small glass bottles used primarily in the perfume

and pharmaceutical industries. Plants in Mers-les-Bains

(Somme, northern France) and Sucy-en-Brie (Val-de-Marne,

Paris area).

2002 sales: €399.2 million.

Employees: 1,880.

Subsidiaries and holdings

• SGD Kipfenberg GmbH - Germany (100%). Small glass

bottles. Plant in Kipfenberg. Sales: € 47 million. 

Employees: 200. Holds Saint-Gobain Calmar GmbH (99%)

- Germany. See company profile.

• Saint-Gobain VG Emballage - France (100%). Distribution

of glass and plastic containers and fittings. Sales: €33.5 million.

Employees: 76.

• Verreries de l’Orne - France (100%). Decoration of glass

containers. Employees: 285. Holds Verreries de la Somme

(100%). Employees: 210.

• Saint-Gobain Desjonquères Manufacturing - USA (100%).

Perfume flasks. Plant in Covington. Sales: $39.5 million.

Employees: 166.

• Saint-Gobain Desjonquères Inc. - USA (100%), SGD UK -

United Kingdom (100%), SGD Italia - Italy (95%).

Distribution companies.

SEPR - SOCIÉTÉ EUROPÉENNE 

DES PRODUITS RÉFRACTAIRES

Owned 25.7% by Compagnie de Saint-Gobain, 62.7% by

Vertec, 11.6% by Spafi.

SAINT-GOBAIN MATÉRIAUX 

DE CONSTRUCTION

100%-owned by Compagnie de Saint-Gobain.

Holding company. Holds:

• Saint-Gobain Weber - France (100%). Produces industrial

mortars in 20 countries. Holds: 100% of Weber & Broutin

France; 100% of Saint-Gobain Weber Cemarska (Spain);

100% of Saint-Gobain Weber Romania (Roumania); 50%

of Saint-Gobain Quartzolit - Brazil. Produces tile glues. Plants

in Jandira (São Paulo), Santa Luzia (Minas Gerais), Abreu

and Lima (Pernambuco) and Viamao (Rio Grande do Sul).

Sales (including subsidiaries): €742 million. Employees

(including subsidiaries): 3,376.

• Saint-Gobain Terreal - France (99.9%). Produces terracotta

tiles. Nineteen plants and subsidiaries in France, Italy, Spain

and Malaysia. Sales (including subsidiaries): €328.3 million.

Employees (including subsidiaries): 2,156.

• Saint-Gobain Stradal - France (100%). Produces industrial

cements through twenty-five production plants in France. 

Sales: €140.5 million. Employees: 980. Has holdings in: Tuyaux

et Agglomérés Vendéens - France (49%); Egyptian Concrete

Pipe Company - Egypt (30%). Produces concrete pipes.

• Novatech KG - Germany (100%). Plant in Kolbermoor.

Produces cement-glass composites for roofing and wall

facings. Sales: €7.3 million. Employees: 63.

SAINT-GOBAIN PAM

Owned 8.1% by Compagnie de Saint-Gobain and 91.9% by Spafi.

Ductile cast- iron pipes and hydraulic connectors for water-supply,

irrigation and wastewater networks. Cast-iron products for

the building industry.

Plants in eastern France, in Pont-à-Mousson, Blénod, Foug,

Liverdun, Toul (Meurthe-et-Moselle), Bayard (Haute-Marne).

2002 sales: €683.9 million.

Employees: 2,953.

Subsidiaries and holdings

• Halbergerhütte GmbH - Germany; Saint-Gobain

Canalización - Spain; Saint-Gobain Plc - United Kingdom;

Saint-Gobain Condotte SpA - Italy; Saint-Gobain Canalização

- Brazil. See company profiles.

• Saint-Gobain Seva - France (100%). Industrial equipment,

glass molds, fiberglass plates for insulation, door fittings.

Plant in Chalon-sur-Saône (Saône-et-Loire, eastern France).

Sales: €54.2 million. Employees: 384.

• SADIP - Saudi Arabia (20%). Produces ductile cast-iron

pipes. 

• Also has holdings in: Saint-Gobain Pipe Systems Belgium -

Belgium (99.9%); Saint-Gobain Pipe System BV -

Netherlands (100%); Saint-Gobain Condutas - Portugal

(99.5%); Saint-Gobain Trubni Systemy - Czech Republic

(100%); Saint-Gobain Pipe Systems OY - Finland (100%);

Saint-Gobain Pipelines Co Ltd - China (47.3%). Ductile 

cast-iron pipes. Plant in Manshaan. Sales: 160 million yuan.

Employees: 440. Saint-Gobain Canalización Argentina -

Argentina (100%).
156

Manufactures fused-cast refractory products used mainly for

glass furnaces and various special products (pellets, grains

and ceramic powders). Plant in Le Pontet (Vaucluse,

southeastern France).

2002 sales: €222 million.

Employees: 1,287.

Subsidiaries and holdings

• Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Europe (France), 

Saint-Gobain Quartz SA - France, SEPR Keramik GmbH & Co

KG - Germany, SEPR Italia - Italy, Saint-Gobain Ceramic

Material A/S - Norway. See company profiles.

• Savoie Réfractaires - France (100%). Manufactures special

refractories.

Plants in Vénissieux (Rhône, Lyon area) and Provins (Seineet-Marne, Paris area). 

Employees: 226.

• Saint-Gobain Céramiques Avancées Desmarquest - France

(100%). Manufactures fine ceramics for industrial uses,

taps, medical applications and thermal and electrical

insulation. Plants in Montreuil (Seine-Saint-Denis), Evreux

(Eure) Courtenay (Loiret), Etrechy (Essonne) and Moissy

Cramayel (Seine-et-Marne). Sales: €35.8 million.

Employees: 450.

• Saint-Gobain Cristaux & Détecteurs - France (100%).

Manufactures optical crystals and synthetic monocrystals for

chemical analysis. Plants in Saint-Pierre-lès-Nemours (Seineet-Marne, Paris area) and Gières (Isère, southeastern France).

Sales: €26.4 million. Employees: 152.

• Saint-Gobain Matériaux Céramiques - France (100%).

Produces seeded gel. Plant in Courtenay (Loiret, south of

Paris area). Employees: 29.

• Saint-Gobain Centre de Recherche et d’Etudes

Européennes - France (35%), the remainder being held by

other companies of the Ceramics & Plastics division. Center

in Cavaillon (Vaucluse, southeastern France).

• Valoref SA -France (100%). Recycling.

• Saint-Gobain Ceramicas Industriales - Spain (100%).

Manufactures technical ceramics and distributes highperformance plastics. Plant in Castellbisbal. 

Employees: 76.

• Beijing SEPR - China (65.9%). Manufactures fused-cast

refractory products. Plant in Beijing. Employees: 168.

• SEPR Refractories India Ltd – India (100%). 

Manufactures fused-cast refractory products. Plant in

Palakkad. Employees : 150.

• SG Ceramics Materials Pty Australia - Australia (100%).

Manufactures ceramic materials. Plant in Brisbane.

SAINT-GOBAIN PERFORMANCE PLASTICS

EUROPE 

100% owned by SEPR.

Holding company.

Holds: 100% of Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Asti, SaintGobain Performance Plastics Gessil and Saint-Gobain

Performance Plastics Verneret - France; 100% of Norton

Fluorplast Nederland BV - Netherlands; 100% of Saint-Gobain

Performance Plastics Chaineux and 100% of Saint-Gobain

PPL Gembloux and Saint-Gobain PPL Kontich - Belgium.

Manufactures and sells high-performance plastics. Sales of

subsidiaries: €82.4 million. Employees of subsidiaries: 613.

• 100% of Saint-Gobain Crystals and Detectors KK Japan. 

• 90% of Saint-Gobain Ceramics Materials KK - Japan.

Manufactures ceramic pellets and powders. Plant in Osaka.

Sales: JPY 4.4 billion. Employees: 93.

SAINT-GOBAIN QUARTZ

100% owned by SEPR.

Manufactures silica parts for the chemical industry, silica

crucibles and reactor tubes for the semi-conductor industry,

silica wool and yarn for the space industry, Micaver insulating

materials, piezoelectric ceramics. Plant in Saint-Pierre-lèsNemours (Seine-et-Marne, Paris area).

2002 sales: €19.2 million.

Employees: 208.

Subsidiaries and holdings

• Saint-Gobain Quartz Pte - Singapore (100%). Manufactures

tubes for the semi-conductor industry.

• Saint-Gobain Quartz SA (Suisse) - Switzerland (100%).

Processing of quartz parts.

SAINT-GOBAIN ABRASIFS SA (FRANCE)

99.6% owned by Spafi.

Manufactures bonded abrasives, grinding wheels and

superabrasives. Plants in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine (Yvelines),

La Courneuve and Bobigny (Seine-Saint-Denis), Amboise

(Indre-et-Loire) and Lisieux (Calvados).

2002 sales: €171.6 million.

Employees: 1,093.

Subsidiaries and holdings

• Saint-Gobain Abrasivos SA - Spain, Saint-Gobain Abrasives

SA - Luxembourg, Saint-Gobain Abrasivi SpA - Italy, SaintGobain Abrasives - Poland, Saint-Gobain Abrasives Pty Ltd. -

South Africa. See company profiles.

• Saint-Gobain Diamant Winter SA - France (100%).

Produces diamond-tipped tools for stone-cutting. Plant in

Saulx-les-Chartreux (Essonne, Paris area).

• Pabsa - Colombia (100%). Manufactures coated abrasives

and grinding wheels. Plant in Mosquera. Sales: 19.6 million

Colombian pesos. Employees: 90.

• Saint-Gobain Abrasivos - Venezuela (100%). Manufactures

coated abrasives and grinding wheels. Plants in Maracay

and Los Teques. Sales: 5 billion bolivars. Employees: 70.

• Saint-Gobain Abrasives AB - Sweden (100%). Abrasives.

Sales: SKR 170.8 million. Employees: 47.

• Saint-Gobain Abrasives Nederland - Netherlands (100%).

Holds 100% of Saint-Gobain Abrasives BV. Manufactures

thin grinding wheels and bonded abrasives. Plants in

Eibergen and Vaals (Netherlands). Sales: €100.4 million.

Employees: 468.

• Saint-Gobain Abrasives NV - Belgium (100%). Employees: 22

• Saint-Gobain Abrasives Shanghai (68% + 32% by SaintGobain China Invest. CY) - China. 

Produces abrasive grinding wheels. Plant in Shanghai.
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

Employees: 393.

• Saint-Gobain Abrasives Australia (100%) - Australia.

Produces abrasive grinding wheels and coated abrasives.

Plants in Lidcombe and Campbellifield.

• PT Norton Hamplas (50%) - Indonesia. Plant in Surabaya.

SPAFI

100% owned by Compagnie de Saint-Gobain.

Holding company. Holds: Saint-Gobain Isover, Saint-Gobain

Vetrotex France, Saint-Gobain PAM, SEPR, Saint-Gobain

Abrasifs (France), SGPPI - France, Saint-Gobain Plc - United

Kingdom, Saint-Gobain Corporation - USA, Saint-Gobain

Technical Fabrics Canada Ltd, Saint-Gobain Abrasivos and

Saint-Gobain Calmar Brazil - Brazil. See company profiles.

SGPPI

100% owned by Spafi.

Holding company. Holds:

• Saint-Gobain Glass Benelux - Belgium; Saint-Gobain

Cristalería - Spain; Brasilit SA - Brazil; Grindwell Norton Ltd -

India. See company profiles.

• Saint-Gobain China Invest Cy Ltd - China (100%). Holding

company.

• Saint-Gobain Sekurit Thailand - Thailand (22.5%). Flat glass

processing for the auto industry. Employees: 408.

• Verinvest Oy - Finland (17.3%). See Saint-Gobain Glass

Nordic A/S.

VERTEC

100% owned by Compagnie de Saint-Gobain.

Holding company. Holds: Saint-Gobain Glass France, SaintGobain Emballage, SEPR - France; Saint-Gobain Glass Italia - Italy.

See company profiles.

SAINT-GOBAIN DEUTSCHLAND

100%-owned by Compagnie de Saint-Gobain. 

Holding company. Holds:

• Saint-Gobain Glass Deutschland GmbH, Saint-Gobain Isover

G+ H AG, Saint-Gobain Vetrotex Deutschland GmbH, SGT

Schleifmittel GmbH, Raab Karcher GmbH - Germany. See

company profiles.

• 60% of Saint-Gobain Autoglas GmbH - Germany. Holds

100% of Saint-Gobain Sekurit Deutschland GmbH and SaintGobain Sekurit Deutschland Verw/ Beteil GmbH - Germany.

SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH

Owned 60% by Saint-Gobain Deutschland and 40% by

Glaceries de Saint-Roch Germania.

Manufacturing and processing of flat glass. 

Plants in Stolberg (float and processing), Herzogenrath (float),

Cologne-Porz and Torgau (float and low-emission laminated

glass) and Mannheim (cast glass).

2002 sales: €346.4 million.

Employees: 1,274.

These figures include those of Saint-Gobain Glass

Deutschland GmbH, Flachglas Torgau GmbH (100%-owned)

and Verbundglas Torgau GmbH (also 100% owned).

Subsidiaries and holdings

• Saint-Gobain Deutsche Glass GmbH, Saint-Gobain Sekurit

Deutschland KG - Germany, Saint-Gobain Exprover 

- Belgium, Saint-Gobain Glass Polska - Poland which

holds 100% of Saint-Gobain Euroveder Polska - Poland, 

Saint-Gobain Glass Nordic A/S - Denmark. See company

profiles.

• Nitrasklo AS (40%), Venisklo Spal (100%) - Slovakia.

Processing and distribution of flat glass for the building

industry.

• Internationale Maatschappij Voor Het Beheer van

Glasmaatschappijen BV (SGT) - Netherlands (100%).

Holding company. Holds Eckelt Glas GmbH Austria (95.5%

+ 4.5% by Saint-Gobain Glass Deutschland GmbH). Flat

glass processing. Sales: €58.8 million. Employees: 349.

• Saint-Gobain Glass India Ltd (66.3%) - India. 

Employees: 290.

SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS DEUTSCHE GMBH

100% owned by Saint-Gobain Glass Deutschland GmbH.

A holding company controlling various subsidiaries in

distribution and processing of flat glass for the building industry.

Consolidated sales for 2002 of the VGG group amounted to

€ 220.5 million.

The group employs 2,123 persons.

SAINT-GOBAIN SEKURIT DEUTSCHLAND

BETEILIGUNGEN GMBH

100% owned by Saint-Gobain Autoglas GmbH.

Company managing Saint-Gobain Sekurit Deutschland KG

and holding other equity interests.

Subsidiaries and holdings

• Saint-Gobain Sekurit Benelux - Belgium, Saint-Gobain

Sekurit Scandinavia - Sweden. See company profiles.

• Autoglas Hansa Vertriebsgesellschaft GmbH - Germany

(100%). Employees: 134. Holds: Renz Autoglas GmbH

(100%), AGH Rheinemain (100%), Freudenberger

Autoglas - Germany (100%); Autover Bilglas A/S - Norway

(100%), Autover Oy - Finland (100%); Autoglas Direktglas

AB - Sweden (80%), Autover Benelux NV (100%); Walter

Kigler - Austria (85%). Distribution of replacement

automobile flat glass.

• Saint-Gobain Sekurit Glas-Union GmbH - Germany (100%).

Sale of automobile glass.

• SG Sekurit Finland Oy - Finland (100%). Faba Autoglas

Technik GmbH - Germany (100%). Processing of

automobile glass.

GERMANY €1 = DEM 1.96 

CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE
158

Plant in Herzogenrath.

2002 sales: €80.3 million. Employees: 550.

Holds:

• 99.7% of SG Vertex AS - Czech Republic. 

Sales: 6.1 billion Czech korunas. Employees: 1,395.

Holds Saint-Gobain Velimat Polska SP ZOO (100%). 

See company profiles.

• 10.2% of Saint-Gobain Vetrotex International - France.

See Saint-Gobain Vetrotex France. 100% of Saint-Gobain

Vetrotex Glasvlies - Germany.

HALBERGERHÜTTE GMBH

100% owned by Saint-Gobain PAM.

Holding company.

Subsidiaries and holdings

• Saint-Gobain Plc - United Kingdom, Saint-Gobain Condotte

SpA - Italy. See company profiles.

• Saint-Gobain GussRohr KG - Germany (100%). Ductile

cast-iron pipes. Plants in Saarbrücken-Brebach (Saar)

and Gelsenkirchen (Ruhr). Sales: €154.9 million.

Employees: 688.

• SG HES GmbH - Germany (100%). Sale of piping systems

for the building industry. Sales: €47.8 million. Employees: 47.

• Saint-Gobain Slevarna (100%) - Foundry in the Czech

Republic. Employees: 90.

SAINT-GOBAIN OBERLAND AG

96.7% owned by Saint-Gobain Emballage.

Company listed on the Frankfurt, Munich and Stuttgart Stock

Exchanges.

Manufactures glass containers (bottles, industrial jars and

glass blocks).

Plants in Bad Wurzach (Baden-Würtemberg), Neuburg (Bavaria)

Essen (Nordrhein Westfalen) and Wirges (Rheinland).

2002 sales: €336.1 million.

Employees: 1,754.

Subsidiaries and holdings

• Ruhrglas - Germany (100%). Holds 100% of GPS Glas

Produktions Service. Produces machines for the glass

containers industry. Sales: €18 million. Employees: 72.

• Westerwald - Germany (100%). Holding company.

• GGA Gesellschaft für Glasrecycling - Germany (26.4%).

Collection and redistribution of glass container cullet.

• Zhanjiang Saint-Hua-Glass - China (35%). Glass

containers (bottles). Sales: 100 million yuan. 

Employees: 468.

SAINT-GOBAIN CALMAR GMBH

Owned 99% by SGD Kipfenberg +1% by Saint-Gobain

Calmar Inc.

Manufactures plastic pumps.

Plant in Hemer.

2002 sales: €67.7 million.

Employees: 525.

Holds: 50% of Calmar Poland, 5% of Saint-Gobain Calmar

Ltd - United Kingdom. Distribution companies.

• Saint-Gobain Sekurit CR Spol SRO. - Czech Republic

(100%). Produces laminated glass for the auto industry.

Employees: 330.

• Saint-Gobain Sekurit Hanglas Polska - Poland (87.8%),

Produces automobile glass. Employees: 674.

• Saint-Gobain Sekurit (Shanghai) - China (100%), SaintGobain Sekurit Japan - Japan (100%).

SAINT-GOBAIN SEKURIT DEUTSCHLAND KG

Owned 99% by SG Sekurit Deutsch. Verw. GmbH and 1% by

Saint-Gobain Glass Deutschland GmbH. 

Manufactures flat glass products for the automobile industry.

Plants in Stolberg (laminated glass) and Herzogenrath

(coated glass).

2002 sales: €366.4 million.

Employees: 2,095.

These figures include those of SG Sekurit Modulartechnik.

Subsidiaries and holdings

• Saint-Gobain Sekurit Nutzfahrzeugglas GmbH (SSGN KG) 

- Germany (100%). Manufactures flat glass for utility

vehicules. Plant in Cologne-Porz. Sales: €40.9 million.

Employees: 301.

• Saint-Gobain Sekurit Modulartechnik - Germany (100%).

Extrusion of laminated and coated flat glass. Plant in Würselen.

• FABA Autoglas Technik - Germany (94%).

• Sekurit Richard Fritz Autoglas Umspritzung (51%).

SAINT-GOBAIN ISOVER G + H AG

99.9% owned by Saint-Gobain Deutschland.

Manufactures and sells mineral fibers and foams for thermal,

refrigeration and acoustic insulation as well as for fireproofing

under the trademark G + H Isover.

Plants in Bergisch-Gladbach (Nordrhein-Westfalen),

Ladenburg (Baden-Würtemberg), Spire (Rheinland - Palatinat)

and Lübz (Mecklenburg Vorpommern).

2002 sales: €306.6 million.

Employees: 1,282.

Subsidiaries and holdings

• Saint-Gobain Isover SA - Switzerland, Saint-Gobain Isover

Benelux - Netherlands, Saint-Gobain Isover A/S - Denmark.

See company profiles.

• Saint-Gobain Isover Austria AG - Austria (99.8%).

Manufactures and sells insulating materials. Plant in

Stockerau. Sales: €53.4 million. Employees: 251. 

Holds: 74.3% of Saint-Gobain Orsil (+ 25.8% held

by Saint-Gobain Isover G+ H AG) - Czech Republic.

Manufactures rock wool insulating materials. Plant in

Castolovice. Sales: 1,095.2 million Czech korunas.

Employees: 251.

• G + H Fuersorge GmbH + Superglass Dammstoffe GmbH 

- Germany (100%). Distribution of insulating materials.

SAINT-GOBAIN VETROTEX DEUTSCHLAND GMBH

100% owned by Saint-Gobain Deutschland.

Manufactures and sells fiberglass for reinforcements.
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS BENELUX SA

Owned: 88.7% by Compagnie de Saint-Gobain and 10.9%

by SGPPI.

Manufacturing and processing of flat glass.

Plants in Sambreville (2 float lines).

2002 sales: €151.2 million.

Employees: 562.

Subsidiaries and holdings

• Saint-Gobain Exprover - Belgium, Saint-Gobain Plc - United

Kingdom, Sas Van Gent Glasfabriek- Netherlands, SaintGobain Glass Nordic A/S - Denmark. See company profiles.

• Saint-Roch Germania - Germany (100%). Holding

company. Holds: 40% of Saint-Gobain Glass Deutschland

GmbH - Germany. See company profiles. 40% of SaintGobain Autoglas GmbH - Germany. See Saint-Gobain

Deutschland.

• B & G Glas Group (99.7%), Frankenglas (100%),

Boermans NV Group (99.9%), Burniat Glass SA (100%),

Glorieux SA (100%),Wagener Jowaco (100%) holds Hanin

SA (77.6% + 22.3% by Saint-Gobain Glass Benelux SA),

Techniver SA (100%), Wagener Group (100%), Climaglass

NV (99.9%), Conforglass (99.9%), Mirover NV (99.2%),

Romato (99.9%) - Belgium. Sales of subsidiaries: €85 million.

Employees of subsidiaries: 719.

• Koninklijke Saint-Gobain Glass NV - Netherlands (100%).

Holding company for subsidiaries selling and processing

glass products for the building industry.

SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS EXPROVER

Owned 39% by Saint-Gobain Glass Deutschland GmbH +

27% by Saint-Gobain Glass Benelux + 18% by Saint-Gobain

Glass France + 8% by Saint-Gobain Glass Italia + 8% by

Saint-Gobain Cristalería. 

Export company of the Flat Glass Division. Promotes and

coordinates all exports of flat glass products manufactured by

the Group outside areas where there are plants.

Holds: Saint-Gobain Hellas - Greece (100%). Saint-Gobain

Glass Exprover North America - USA (100%).

SAINT-GOBAIN SEKURIT BENELUX SA

100% owned by Saint-Gobain Sekurit Deutschland

Beteiligung GmbH.

Flat glass processing for the auto industry.

Plant in Sambreville.

2002 sales: €89.8 million.

Employees: 441.

Holds: Saint-Gobain Sekurit Thailand - Thailand (72.5%). 

See SGPPI. Autover International BV - Netherlands (100%).

Distribution of replacement automobile flat glass. Autover

Distribution SA - Belgium (100%).

SEPR KERAMIK GMBH & CO KG

100% owned by SEPR.

Holding company. Holds:

• Norton Beteiligungs - Germany (100%). Holding company.

Holds Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Pampus GmbH -

Germany (100%). Manufactures and sells highperformance plastics for the medical and automobile

industries and for other industrial equipment. Plant in

Willich. Sales: €51.3 million. Employees: 319. Holds SaintGobain Advanced Ceramics Lauf GmbH - Germany

(100%). Manufactures and sells advanced ceramics. 

Plant in Lauf. Sales: €17 million. Employees: 200.

• Saint-Gobain Industriekeramik Düsseldorf - Germany

(100%). Produces refractory products. Plant in Düsseldorf.

Sales: €17.1 million. Employees: 96.

• Saint-Gobain Advanced Ceramics Mönchengladbach 

- Germany (100%) Manufactures and sells advanced

ceramics. Plant in Mönchengladbach. Sales: €9.8 million.

Employees: 85.

• Saint-Gobain Quartz GmbH (100%) - Germany. Plant in

Wiesbaden.

• Saint-Gobain Industriekeramik Roedental - Germany

(100%) . Produces high-performance refractory products.

Plant in Roedental. Sales: €44.4 million. Employees: 455.

• Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Cologne - Germany.

Sales : €14.1 million. Employees : 40

• Saint-Gobain Ceramic Materials Kuppenheim - Germany

(100%). Silicon carbide processing. Plant in Kuppenheim.

Sales : €11.1 million. Employees: 31.

SAINT-GOBAIN SCHLEIFMITTEL - 

BETEILIGUNGEN GMBH

100% owned by Saint-Gobain Deutschland.

Holds:

Production facilities:

• 100% of Saint-Gobain Diamond Products GmbH and

of Saint-Gobain Winter Diamantwerkzeuge. Produces

superabrasive tools for the mechanical and stone-cutting

industries. Plants in Norderstedt. Employees: 627.

• 100% of Saint-Gobain Abrasives GmbH. Manufactures and

sells grinding wheels and super-abrasives. Plants in

Gerolzhofen and Wesseling. Employees: 467.

• 100% of Saint-Gobain Diamant Winter Epe - Greece.

Employees: 132.

• 100% of Diamant Winter Italia - Italy. Employees: 47.

• 100% of Diamant Winter South Africa - South Africa. 

Sales units:

• 100% of Diamantes Winter - Spain.

• 90% of Saint-Gobain Diamant Winter Ltd - India.

Employees: 170.

RAAB KARCHER GMBH

100% owned by Saint-Gobain Deutschland.

Distribution of building materials in Germany, in the

Netherlands and in Eastern Europe.

2002 sales: €2.48 billion (including subsidiaries).

Employees: 8,048 (including subsidiaries).

BENELUX €1 = BEF 40.34 

€1 = NLG 2.20 
160

GLASFABRIEK SAS VAN GENT BV

100% owned by Saint-Gobain Glass Benelux.

Manufactures reflecting glass, enameled glass and tempered

glass.

Plant in Sas Van Gent (Netherlands).

2002 sales: €19.7 million.

Employees: 144.

SAINT-GOBAIN ISOVER BENELUX

100% owned by Saint-Gobain Isover G+ H AG.

Production and sale of insulating products.

Plant in Etten-Leur (Netherlands).

2002 sales: €85.3 million.

Employees: 352.

Subsidiaries and holdings

• Saint-Gobain Isover Benelux NV - Belgium (99.8%).

Distribution.

• Saint-Gobain Cultilène BV - Netherlands (100%). Processes

and sells glass wool and rock wool products for hydroponic

(soil-less) cultivation. Sales: €18.6 million. Employees: 61.

• Saint-Gobain Ecophon BV - Netherlands (30%).

SAINT-GOBAIN DIAMOND PRODUCTS SA

(LUXEMBOURG)

100% owned by Saint-Gobain Abrasifs (France).

Produces and sells diamond-tipped tools, disks and drills, as

well as machines for cutting asphalt in the construction and

civil engineering industries.

Plant in Bascharage (Luxembourg).

2002 sales: €41.6 million.

Employees: 147.

Holds: 99.9% of Saint-Gobain Diamond Products - Belgium.

Produces diamond-tipped tools. Plant in Mechelen. Sales:

€3.8 million. Employees: 34.

SAINT-GOBAIN NEDERLAND

100% owned by Compagnie de Saint-Gobain.

Finance company.

SAINT-GOBAIN CRISTALERIA SA

Owned 23.9% by Compagnie de Saint-Gobain + 66.6% by

International Saint-Gobain + 4.9% by Saint-Gobain Vicasa +

1.9% by SGPPI.

Manufactures and processes flat glass for the building and

automobile industries, as well as insulating materials (glass

wool and rock wool).

Plants in Arbós (float line), Avilès (float line), Madrid

(Hortaleza), Renedo de Piélagos.

Insulating material plant in Azuqueca de Henares.

Consolidated sales for 2002 : €448.6 million.

Employees: 1,802.

Subsidiaries and holdings

• Saint-Gobain Vicasa, La Veneciana, Saint-Gobain Canalizacion,

Saint-Gobain Vetrotex España - Spain; Saint-Gobain Glass

Portugal - Portugal; Saint-Gobain Glass Exprover - Belgium;

Saint-Gobain Sekurit Mexico, Saint-Gobain Glass Mexico, SaintGobain Vetrotex America Xicoh - Mexico; Saint-Gobain de

Colombia, PAM Colombia SA - Colombia. See company profiles

• Autover Iberica - Spain (100%). Distribution of replacement

automobile flat glass. Employees: 35.

• Wanner y Vinyas (100%) - Spain. Thermal and acoustic

insulation. Sales: €45.2 million. Employees: 350.

• Industrias del Cuarzo Incusa (100%). Sand quarry.

Employees: 40.

• Vislam (5%), Inmobiliaria Cristalvex (100%).

• La Veneciana Norte (5%), La Veneciana Levante (5%), La

Veneciana Bética (5%), La Veneciana Canarias (5%).

• Procustic - Spain (100%). Processing and distribution of

acoustic insulation products.

• Cristalería de Hortaleza - Spain (100%). Employees : 135.

• Iberisol - Portugal (65.2% + 22.3% by Wanner y Vinyas).

Distribution of insulating products.

• Vidrieria Argentina (VASA) - Argentina (49%). Manufactures

flat glass for the building industry.

• Cristalería Andina - Panama (100%).

• Holding Concorde SA - Colombia (51%)

LA VENECIANA

100% owned by Saint-Gobain Cristalería.

Sale, processing and installation of flat glass products and

mirrors.

2002 consolidated sales: €133.2 million.

Employees (including subsidiaries): 936.

Subsidiaries and holdings

• Portaglass SL (100%), La Veneciana Norte (95%),

La Veneciana Levante (95%), La Veneciana Bética (95%),

La Veneciana Canarias (95%), La Veneciana Balear SA

(100%), Cristalería Industrial (95%), Vidrios de Seguridad

Laminados Vislam (95%).

SPAIN €1 = ESP 166.39

PORTUGAL €1 = PTE 200.48 
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

SAINT-GOBAIN ABRASIVOS (SPAIN)

100% owned by Saint-Gobain Abrasifs (France).

Produces abrasive grinding wheels.

Plants in Pamplona and Montmelo.

2002 sales: €39.4 million.

Employees: 268.

Holds: 100% of Saint-Gobain Abrasivos Ltd - Portugal.

Distributes abrasive products. Plant in Porto.

SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS PORTUGAL

100% owned by Saint-Gobain Cristalería.

Manufactures and processes flat glass for buildings and home

appliances.

Plant (float line) in Santa Iria de Azoia (Portugal).

2002 sales: €58.1 million.

Employees: 158.

Holds: 

• SSGP Vidro Automovel - Portugal. See company profile.

• 100% of Covipor - CIA Vidreira Do Norte, and 100% of

Covilis - Portugal. Processing of glass products for the

building industry. Employees: 169.

SSGP VIDRO AUTOMOVEL

100% owned by Saint-Gobain Glass Portugal.

Flat glass processing for the auto industry.

Plant in Santa Iria de Azoia (Portugal).

2002 sales: €60.2 million.

Employees: 284.

Holds: 59.7% of Autoverlusa - Portugal. Distribution of

replacement flat glass parts for the auto industry.

SAINT-GOBAIN MONDEGO

100% owned by Saint-Gobain Vicasa.

Manufactures glass containers (industrial bottles and jars).

Plant in Figueira da Foz (Portugal).

2002 sales: €51.3 million.

Employees: 259.

SAINT-GOBAIN VETROTEX ESPAÑA

100% owned by Saint-Gobain Cristalería.

Manufactures and sells fiberglass for reinforcements.

Plant in Alcalá de Henares.

2002 sales: €74.5 million.

Employees: 360.

Holds: 

• 0.1% of Saint-Gobain Vetrotex International - France. See

Saint-Gobain Vetrotex France. 100% of CemFil International

- United Kingdom. Distribution of CemFil glass fibers for

reinforcing concrete. 100% of Vetrotex Distribucion Norte,

Vetrotex CemFil and Tevesa - Spain. 

• 40% of Beijing Saint-Gobain Vetrotex Glass Fiber - China.

Employees: 133.

SAINT-GOBAIN CANALIZACION

Owned 80% by Saint-Gobain PAM and 20% by Saint-Gobain

Cristalería.

Ductile cast-iron pipes.

Plant in Santander.

2002 sales: €160 million.

Employees: 270.

Holds: PAM Colombia SA - Colombia (95%). See company

profile. Saniplast (70%) - Spain. Distribution of pipes and

accessories. Sales: €41.6 million. Employees: 89.

SAINT-GOBAIN VICASA SA

99.9% owned by Saint-Gobain Cristalería.

Manufactures glass containers (bottles, industrial jars and

flasks).

Plants in Azuqueca de Henares (Guadalajara), Burgos, Dos

Hermanas (Sevilla); Jerez de la Frontera (Cadiz); Saragossa.

2002 sales: €233 million.

Employees: 1,218.

These figures include those of Saint-Gobain Montblanc SA.

Manufactures glass containers. Plant in Montblanc (Catalonia).

Subsidiaries and holdings

• Saint-Gobain Cristalería - Spain; Saint-Gobain Mondego -

Portugal. See company profile.

• Saint-Gobain La Granja SA - Spain (100%). Manufactures

glass containers (flasks), insulators and moldings. Plant in

La Granja (Segovia). Sales: €61.2 million. Employees: 341.

Holds 100% of Saint-Gobain Calmar SA - Spain. Produces

plastic pumps. Plant in Barcelona. Sales: €43.9 million.

Employees: 379.

• Vidrieras Canarias (41%). Glass containers. Sales:

€18.1 million. Employees: 110.

• Gijon Fabril - Spain (100%). Production and distribution of

machines and molds for the glass industry.

• Rayen Cura Saic - Argentina (59.5%). Manufactures glass

containers (bottles). Plant in Mendoza. Sales: 55.8 million

Argentine pesos. Employees: 241.
162

2002 sales: £136.2 million.

Employees: 1,424.

Holds:

• Foundry Products Ltd - United Kingdom, Guest and Chrimes

- United Kingdom (100%).

• Stanton Bonna Concrete Ltd - United Kingdom (20%)

Concrete pipes.

• Saint-Gobain Pipelines South Africa - South Africa (100%).

Manufactures cast-iron parts. Two plants in Pretoria. Sales:

126 million rand. Employees: 476.

SAINT-GOBAIN CERAMICS & PLASTICS PLC

100%-owned by Saint-Gobain Plc.

Manufactures and sells high-performance plastics and

products for chemical processes.

Plant in Stoke-on-Trent.

Holds:

• Saint-Gobain Quartz Plc - United Kingdom (100%),

Chemfab Holding - Ireland (100%).

See company profile.

• Chemfab Holding UK Ltd - United Kingdom (100%). 

Sales: £6.2 million. Employees: 32.

• Saint-Gobain Crystals & Detectors UK - United Kingdom

(100%).

• Saint-Gobain Industrial Ceramics Ltd - United Kingdom

(100%). Production and sale of high-temperature insulation

fiber and refractory products. Plant in Rainford.

• Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corby - United Kingdom

(100%). Manufactures heat-resistant hose, tubing and

bundles for beverage-dispensing applications. Sales:

£5.5 million. Employees: 39.

SAINT-GOBAIN QUARTZ PLC

100% owned by Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics Plc.

Produces silica parts for the chemical industry, fused quartz

for the semi-conductor industry, optical fiber manufacturing,

infrared heating and laboratory equipment.

Plants in Wallsend.

2002 sales: £10.9 million.

Employees: 200.

Holds:

• TSL Quadrant Ltd - United Kingdom (100%). Plant in Harlow

• TSL Semicon Quartz Ltd - United Kingdom (100%). Plant in

Cumberland.

CHEMFAB HOLDINGS (IRELAND)

100% owned by Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics Plc.

Processing of coated fabrics (PTFE, silicone) and adhesive

tapes.

Holds 100% of Tygaflor Holdings - Ireland, which holds:

100% of Chemfab Luxembourg SARL. Holds SG PPL - Ireland

(100%). Sales: €27.9 million. Employees: 118.

SAINT-GOBAIN PLC

Owned 74.7% by Partidis, 11.7% by Saint-Gobain Glass

Benelux, 6% by Spafi, 3.2% by Saint-Gobain PAM, 3.2% by

Halbergerhütte and 1.2% by Saint-Gobain Isover A/S.

Holding company.

Holds:

• Solaglas Ltd, Saint-Gobain Pipelines Plc, Saint-Gobain

Ceramics & Plastics Plc, Abrasives Plc; Saint-Gobain Building

Distribution Ltd - United Kingdom. See company profiles.

• Orchardflint - UK. Holding company.

• Saint-Gobain Glass UK Limited (100%) - United Kingdom.

Float in Egborough. Sales: £54.8 million. Employees: 128.

• Saint-Gobain Pipe Systems Plc - United Kingdom (100%).

Distribution of pipe products for the building and public

works sector.

• Saint-Gobain Technical Fabrics UK Ltd (100%). Sales: £5.7

million. Employees: 35.

• Saint-Gobain Insulation UK (100%). Holds 50% of British

Gypsum Isover - United Kingdom. Production and sale of

insulation products. Sales: £10.9 million. Employees: 131.

SOLAGLAS LTD

100% owned by Saint-Gobain Plc.

Processing and distribution of flat glass products for the

building industry (tempered glass, laminated glass, mirrors,

insulating glass). Network of 42 sites including 27 processing

facilities throughout the UK.

2002 sales (including subsidiaries): £187.6 million.

Employees (including subsidiaries): 2,549.

Holds:

• Hayes Group, Dockrell Glass Group - United Kingdom

(100%). Processing for the building industry.

• Thermax, Birmingham Build - United Kingdom (100%).

Processing for the automobile and building industries .

• Saint-Gobain Glass Ltd (100%). UK distributor for the

products of the Flat Glass and Containers divisions.

• Vetrotech Saint-Gobain UK (50%).

SAINT-GOBAIN BUILDING DISTRIBUTION PLC

100% owned by Saint-Gobain Plc.

Distribution of building materials.

2002 sales: €1.82 billion.

Employees: 12,076.

SAINT-GOBAIN PIPELINES PLC

100% owned by Saint-Gobain Plc.

Ductile cast-iron pipes and hydraulic connectors for water-supply

and wastewater networks. Hydraulic valves. Cast-iron and

steel supplies for roadworks, cast-iron supplies for the

building industry. Plants in Stanton, Staveley, Holwell, Risca,

West Bromwich and Telford.

UNITED KINGDOM €1 = GBP 0.63 
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

SAINT-GOBAIN VETROTEX ITALIA

100% owned by International Saint-Gobain.

Manufactures and sells fiberglass for reinforcements.

Plants in Besana Brianza and Vado Ligure.

2002 sales: €161.4 million.

Employees: 535.

Holds: 75.9% of Saint-Gobain Revetex SRL - Italy; 100%

of LMC - Italy; 5.2% of Saint-Gobain Vetrotex International -

France. See Saint-Gobain Vetrotex France.

SAINT-GOBAIN CONDOTTE SPA

Owned 90% by Saint-Gobain PAM and 10% by Halbergerhütte.

Ductile cast-iron pipes.

Plants in Cogoleto, Lavis and Pesaro.

2002 sales: €68.3 million.

Employees: 230.

SAINT-GOBAIN VETRI

Owned 100% by Saint-Gobain Emballage.

Manufactures glass containers (industrial bottles and jars).

Plants in Dego, Lonigo, Villa Poma, Pescia, Gazzo Veronese,

Carcare.

2002 sales: €351.1 million.

Employees: 1,182.

Subsidiaries and holdings

• 100% of Silver - Italy. Sand quarry products.

• 100% of Ecoglass - Italy; 20% of Ecolvetro - Italy. Collection

and processing of cullet.

SAINT-GOBAIN ABRASIVI SPA (ITALY)

100% owned by Saint-Gobain Abrasifs (France).

Produces abrasive grinding wheels.

Plants in Corsico (Milan), Caronno (Varese), Turin and

Salerno.

2002 sales: €89.3 million.

Employees: 458.

Holds: FEA SRL - Italy (100%).

SEPR ITALIA

100% owned by SEPR.

Manufactures fused-cast refractory products.

Plant in Mezzocorona.

2002 sales: €30.7 million.

Employees: 238.

ABRASIVES PLC

100% owned by Saint-Gobain Plc.

Holds: 100% of Unicorn Abrasives Ltd and of Saint-Gobain

Abrasives Ltd - United Kingdom. Sales: £57.9 million.

Employees: 577. 

Through various subsidiaries, manufactures bonded and

coated abrasives as well as super-abrasives. Plants in Stafford,

Gloucester, Tottenham, Welwyn, Leicester, Southampton

and Brighton. Holds 100% of SG Universal Abrasives Inc. -

USA. Plants in Bristol and Romulus. Sales: $56.2 million.

Employees: 313.

SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS ITALIA

100% owned by Vertec.

Plants in Pisa (processed products for the building industry)

and Sesto Fiorentino (silvering workshop).

2002 sales: €148.2million.

Employees: 326.

Subsidiaries and holdings

• Saint-Gobain Sekurit Italia - Italy. See company profile.

• Flovetro (50%). Float line at Vasto.

• Mineraria Apuana (100%). Operation of a dolomite quarry.

• Sirsa (49%). Components for the auto industry.

• Mac Trasporti (50%). Road transport.

• Gruppo Fontana (100%). Processing and sale of glass.

Sales: €64.8 million. Employees: 76.

• Vetreira Industriale Saint-Gobain SRL (100%). Employees: 69.

SAINT-GOBAIN SEKURIT ITALIA

100% owned by Saint-Gobain Glass Italia.

Flat glass processing for the auto industry.

Plant in Savigliano.

2002 sales: €64.7 million.

Employees: 296.

Holds: 100% of Autover Italia SRL, 50% of Borgna Sicurglass

SRL and of Vetro Sud SRL - Italy.

SAINT-GOBAIN ISOVER ITALIA

92% owned by International Saint-Gobain.

Manufactures insulating materials and sealing products

(roofing materials, bonded fiberglass sidings).

Plants in Vidalengo and Chieti.

2002 sales: €59.6 million.

Employees: 254.

Holds: 17.9% of Saint-Gobain Isover SA - Switzerland. 

See company profile.

ITALY €1 = ITL 1,936.3 
SAINT-GOBAIN ISOVER SA

Owned 46.7% by Saint-Gobain Isover G + H AG, 34.1% 

by International Saint-Gobain and 17.9% by Saint-Gobain 

Isover Italia.

Production and sale of insulating products. Distribution of

fiber reinforcements.

Plant in Lucens.

2002 sales: CHF 38.8 million.

Employees: 163.

Holds: 25% of Saint-Gobain Isover AB - Sweden. See

company profile. 49% of Saint-Gobain Eurocoustic - France.

See Saint-Gobain Isover.

164

INTERNATIONAL SAINT-GOBAIN

Owned 96.5% by Compagnie de Saint-Gobain and 3.5% by

Valfix.

Holding company.

Holds: Isover SA - Switzerland; Saint-Gobain Isover Italia 

- Italy; Saint-Gobain Vetrotex Italia - Italy; Saint-Gobain Isover

AB - Sweden; Saint-Gobain Cristalería - Spain. See company

profiles. 1.9% of Euroventures BV - Netherlands.

SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS NORDIC A/S (DENMARK)

Owned 50% by Saint-Gobain Glass Deutschland GmbH and

50% by Saint-Gobain Glass Benelux.

Holding company. Holds: 100% of:

• Emmaboda Glas AB - Sweden. Produces insulating and

tempered glass. Plant in Emmaboda. Sales: SEK 268.8 million

Employees: 268. Holds 100% of Glashuset I Sverige AB 

- Sweden. Glass distribution. Holds 100% of Decoustics 

- Canada. Sales: CAD 28.7 million. Employees: 202.

• Scanglas A/S - Denmark. Produces insulating and tempered

glass. Plants in Korsør and Kjellerup. Sales:

DKK 301.2 million. Employees: 267. Holds: 100% of VG

Glas A/S - Denmark. Glass distribution.

• Brodrene Böckmann A/S - Norway. Produces insulating

glass. Plants in Frederikstad and Gjövik. Sales: NOK 336.4

million. Employees: 272.

• Scandi-Glass A/S - Norway. Produces insulating glass. Plant

in Sem. Sales: NOK 82.9 million. Employees: 44.

• SI-Glass A/S - Norway. Produces laminated and tempered

glass. Plant in Sauda. Sales: NOK 82.7 million. Employees: 74.

• Holds also: Esbjerj Glas - Denmark (100%), Baltiklaas -

Estonia (100%), Finnglass Oy - Finland (63%), Verinvest

Oy - Finland (82.7%). Processing and distribution of flat

glass for the building industry.

SAINT-GOBAIN SEKURIT SCANDINAVIA AB

(SWEDEN)

100% owned by Saint-Gobain Sekurit Deutschland

Beteiligungen GmbH.

Manufactures tempered and laminated glass for the automobile

industry.

Plant in Eslöv.

2002 sales: SEK 481.2 million.

Employees: 280.

Holds: 100% of Saint-Gobain Sekurit Eesti A/S - Estonia;

100% of Glasex AB - Sweden. Manufactures replacement

windscreens.

SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS POLSKA

100%-owned by Saint-Gobain Glass Deutschland GmbH.

Manufacturing and processing of flat glass.

Float line in Strzemieszyce.

2002 sales: 304.3 million zloty.

Employees: 243.

Holds: 100% of Glaspol - Poland. Processing and distribution

of flat glass for the building industry. Sales: 125.9 million zloty.

Employees: 334.

SAINT-GOBAIN ISOVER POLSKA

100%-owned by Saint-Gobain Isover AB.

Production and distribution of insulating products.

2002 sales: 196.6 million zloty.

Employees: 231.

SAINT-GOBAIN VELIMAT POLSKA SP ZOO

100%-owned by SG Vertex AS.

Production and distribution of bonded fiberglass.

2002 sales: 28.8 million zloty.

Employees: 84.

SAINT-GOBAIN ABRASIVES SA (POLAND)

100% owned by Saint-Gobain Abrasifs SA (France).

Production and distribution of abrasive grinding wheels.

Plant in Kolo.

2002 sales: 82.6 million zloty.

Employees: 440.

SCANDINAVIA €1 = DKK 7.,43

€1 = SEK 9.16 

€1 = NOK 7.51

€1 = FIM 5.95

SWITZERLAND €1 = CHF 1.47 

POLAND €1 = PLZ 3.85 
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

Holds:

• Saint-Gobain Matériaux Céramiques Benelux SA (100%) 

- Belgium. Processing of silicon carbide and corundum for

the refractory and abrasives industries. Plant in Hody. 

Sales: €18.9 million. Employees: 27.

• Saint-Gobain Materiales Ceramicos (100%) - Venezuela.

Produces silicon carbide.

• Norton Lianyungang Grains Industry (50%) - China.

SAINT-GOBAIN CORPORATION

100% owned by Spafi.

Holds: 100% of Saint-Gobain Delaware Corporation - USA 

- Holding company which controls CertainTeed Corporation,

Saint-Gobain Containers, Inc., Saint-Gobain Calmar, Inc. and

Saint-Gobain Abrasives, Inc. - USA. See company profiles.

CERTAINTEED CORPORATION

100% owned by Saint-Gobain Delaware Corporation.

2002 sales: $2,607.4 million.

Employees: 8,231.

The sales and the employees of CertainTeed Corporation

include those of Saint-Gobain Vetrotex America Inc., SaintGobain Technical Fabrics America Inc., Saint-Gobain BayForm

America Inc., BTI Inc., Marshall Vinyl Windows Inc. 

Insulation products. Plants in Athens (Georgia), Chowchilla

(California), Kansas City (Kansas), Mountaintop

(Pennsylvania), Winter Haven (Florida).

Building materials. This division includes the following

business lines:

• Solid vinyl sidings and windows. Plants in Corona

(California), Hagerstown (Maryland), McPherson (Kansas),

Jackson (Michigan), Nesquehoning (Pennsylvania), Social

Circle (Georgia), Auburn (Washington), Richmond (Virginia).

• Asphalt roofing materials (shingles). Plants in Birmingham

(Alabama), Glenwood and Little Rock (Arkansas), Fremont

and Wilmington (California), Oxford (North Carolina),

Peechtree City (Georgia), Shreveport (Louisiana), Norwood

(Massachussets), Shakopee (Minnesota), Gads Hills

(Missouri), Milan (Ohio), Portland (Oregon), Chester

(Pennsylvania), Ennis (Texas).

• Ventilation systems. Plants in Clinton (Iowa), Dallas (Texas),

Lincolnton (North Carolina).

• Polymerization plant in Lake Charles (Louisiana).

• PVC pipes and fences. Plants in Lodi (California).

McPherson (Kansas), Waco (Texas), Social Circle (Georgia),

Buffalo (New York), Romeoville (Illinois).

• Fiber cement siding. Plants in White City (Oregon), Roaring

River (North Carolina).

Subsidiaries and holdings

• Saint-Gobain Abrasives, Inc. - USA. See company profile.

• Saint-Gobain Vetrotex America, Inc.,- USA (100%).

SAINT-GOBAIN ISOVER AB (SWEDEN)

Owned 75% by International Saint-Gobain and 25% by

Saint-Gobain Isover SA.

Production and sale of insulating products.

Plants in Billesholm and Vrena.

2002 sales: SEK 839,1 million.

Employees: 515.

Holds: Saint-Gobain Ecophon AB - Sweden, Saint-Gobain

Isover Oy - Finland, Saint-Gobain Isover Polska - Poland. 

See company profiles.

SAINT-GOBAIN ECOPHON AB (SWEDEN)

100% owned by Saint-Gobain Isover AB.

Production and sale of acoustic ceilings.

Plant in Hyllinge.

2002 sales: SEK 948.6 million.

Employees: 604.

Holds: 100% of Saint-Gobain Ecophon Production A/S 

- Denmark. Manufactures acoustic products. Holds 60% of

Ecophon CertainTeed - USA. See CertainTeed.

SAINT-GOBAIN ISOVER OY (FINLAND)

100% owned by Saint-Gobain Isover AB.

Production and distribution of insulating products.

Plants in Hyvinkää and Forssa.

2002 sales: €82.6 million.

Employees: 296.

Holds: 100% of Saint-Gobain Isover Esti AS - Estonia; 100%

of SIA Saint-Gobain Isover - Latvia; 100% of UAB SaintGobain Isover - Lithuania; 99.9% of Zao Isover - Russia.

Distribution of insulating materials.

SAINT-GOBAIN ISOVER A/S (DENMARK)

100% owned by Saint-Gobain Isover G + H AG.

Production and sale of insulating products.

Plant in Vamdrup.

2002 sales: DKK 341.6 million.

Employees: 213.

Holds: 1.2% of Saint-Gobain Plc - United Kingdom. 

See company profile.

100% of Glasuld Ireland. 100% of Glasuld Norge A/S -

Norway. Production and distribution of insulating products.

SAINT-GOBAIN CERAMIC MATERIALS A/ S

(NORWAY)

100% owned by SEPR.

Manufactures and sells silicon carbide products.

Plants in Lillesand and Arendal.

2002 sales: NOK 448.6 million.

Employees: 338.

NORTH €1 = USD 0.94

AMERICA €1 = CAD 1.48
166

Daisy (Tennessee), East Granby and New

Haven (Connecticut), Elk Grove and Mundelein (Illinois),

Anaheim, Fremont, Milpitas, San Jose and Garden Grove

(California), Huntsville (Alabama), Merrimack, Milford and

Nashua (New Hampshire), North Bennington (Vermont),

Portage (Wisconsin), Seattle and Washougal (Washington),

Albuquerque (New Mexico), West Jordan (Utah), Scarborough

(Maine), Beaverton (Michigan), Paris, Brantford and Niagara Falls

(Ontario, Canada), Chandler and Phoenix (Arizona), Mundelein

(Illinois). 

2002 sales: $1,195.6 million.

Employees: 6,220.

These figures include consolidated subsidiaries.

SAINT-GOBAIN CONTAINERS, INC.

100% owned by Saint-Gobain Delaware Corporation.

Manufactures glass containers (industrial bottles and jars).

Plants in El Monte, Maywood and Madera (California),

Henderson and Wilson (North Carolina), Dolton and Lincoln

(Illinois), Marion and Dunkirk (Indiana), Ruston (Louisiana),

Milford (Massachusetts), Pevely (Missouri), Carteret (New

Jersey), Sapulpa (Oklahoma), Port Allegany (Pennsylvania),

Waxahachie (Texas), Seattle (Washington), Burlington (Wisconsin)

2002 sales: $1,389.2 million.

Employees: 5,415.

Subsidiaries and holdings

• Tropicana Industrial Glass - USA (50%). Manufactures glass

containers (bottles). Plant in Bradenton (Florida).

• Heye America L. P. - USA (100%). Produces molds for

the manufacture of glass containers.

SAINT-GOBAIN CALMAR, INC.

100% owned by Saint-Gobain Delaware Corporation.

Manufactures plastic pumps.

Plants in City of Industry (California), Lee Summit (Missouri),

Washington Courthouse (Ohio) and Winfield (Kansas).

2002 sales: $185.3 million.

Employees: 1,247.

Subsidiaries and holdings

• Calmar Wuxi Dispensing Systems Ltd.- China (100%).

Assembly of plastic pumps. Plant in Wuxi.

• Saint-Gobain Calmar Argentina - Argentina (100%), Calmar

Plastics - Canada (100%). Distribution companies.

• Saint-Gobain Calmar GmbH - Germany (1%). See

company profile.

SAINT-GOBAIN TECHNICAL FABRICS CANADA,

LTD.

100% owned by Spafi.

Plants in Sainte Catharines and Midland.

2002 sales: CAD 86.1 million.

Employees: 247.

Manufactures and sells fiberglass for reinforcements. Plants

in Wichita Falls (Texas), Charleston Heights (South Carolina)

and Russelville (Alabama).

• Saint-Gobain Technical Fabrics America Inc. - USA (100%).

Production and sale of industrial products for reinforcements.

Plants in Albion (New York) and in Dover (Ohio). 

Holds: 100% of Saint-Gobain BTI Inc – USA. Holds 100%

of Saint-Gobain BayForm America, Inc. - USA. Production

and sale of industrial products and parts for door and

window manufacturing. Plants in Cadiz (Ohio), Pasco

(Washington), Merrill (Wisconsin).

• Air Vent Inc. - USA (100%). Produces ventilation systems

for attics and lofts.

• Ecophon CertainTeed - USA (40%). Sale of acoustic ceilings.

• Bird Inc. - USA (100%). Manufactures shingles and roofing

equipment. Holds 100% of GS Roofing Products

Company Inc.

• Ludowici- Roof Tile Inc.- USA (100%). Manufactures

terracotta tiles.

• Marshall Vinyl Windows Inc. - USA (100%).

SAINT-GOBAIN ABRASIVES, INC.

Owned 82% by Saint-Gobain Delaware Corporation and

18% by CertainTeed Corporation.

2002 sales: $592.8 million.

Employees: 3,935.

Manufactures bonded abrasives, coated abrasives and

superabrasives. Main plants: Worcester (Massachusetts);

Littleton (New Hampshire); Glenmont and Troy (New York);

Arden and High Point (North Carolina), Brownsville and

Stephensville (Texas), Fullerton and Ontario (California), Hot

Springs (Arkansas), Bensenville (Illinois), Romulus (Michigan),

Brookville (Ohio), Hamilton and Plattsville (Ontario), Travelers

Rest (South Carolina). 

Main subsidiaries in the U. S., Canada, Mexico, New Zealand.

Also holds: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics. - USA, Grindwell

Norton - India; Saint-Gobain KK - Japan. See company

profiles. 

Also holds Saint-Gobain Abrasivos SA de CV - Mexico

(100%). Manufactures non-woven abrasives and grinding

wheels. Plant in Reynosa (through Norton Foreign Affiliates) 

SAINT-GOBAIN CERAMICS & PLASTICS, INC.

100% owned by Saint-Gobain Abrasives Inc.

Through its own activities or through its subsidiaries,

manufactures engineered and advanced ceramics, chemical

process products, high-performance plastics, fused-cast

refractory products and special ceramic grains and silicon

carbide products. Main plants in Worcester, Northboro,

Northampton and Taunton (Massachusetts), Wayne,

Bridgewater and Mickelton (New Jersey), Amherst, Niagara

Falls, Sanborn, Granville, Hoosick Falls, Poestenkill and

Wheatfield (New York), Akron, Aurora, Stow, Ravenna,

Newbury, Mantua, Springboro and Solon (Ohio), Louisville

(Kentucky), Buckhannon (West Virginia), Olyphant, Latrobe

and Malvern (Pennsylvania), Boca Raton (Florida), Bristol

(Rhode Island), Austin, Bryan, Irving and Houston (Texas),

Bryant and Fort Smith (Arizona), Colorado Springs (Colorado),
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

and Belém (Para).

2002 sales: BRL 116 million.

Employees: 566.

Subsidiaries and holdings

• Eterbras, Saint-Gobain Canalização - Brazil. See company profile.

• Santa Veronica (100%). Holds Carborundum Holding

(100%) which holds Saint-Gobain Cerâmicas & Plásticos

(100%). Manufactures and sells high-temperature

insulation fibers and refractories. Plant in Vinhedo. Sales:

BRL 106.7 million. Employees: 416. Holds 100% of Jundu

- Brazil. Operates quarries. Employees: 277.

• São Juliano (25% + 50% held by Santa Veronica and 25%

by Saint-Gobain Ceramic Materials AS). Holds: 100% of 

Saint-Gobain Materiais Cerâmicos - Brazil. Produces silicon

carbide. Plant in Barbacena (Minas Gerais). Sales:

BRL 92.1 million. Employees: 335.

• Saint-Gobain Quartzolit (35% + 15% held by Santa Veronica

and 50% by Saint-Gobain Weber). See Saint-Gobain Weber.

ETERBRAS

55% owned by Brasilit.

Manufactures fiber-cement sheets and moldings.

Plants in Capivari (São Paulo), Guadalupe (Rio de Janeiro),

and Goiãnia (Goiás).

2002 sales: BRL 185.9 million.

Employees: 785.

SAINT-GOBAIN CANALIZAÇÃO

Owned 83.5% by Saint-Gobain PAM, 2.6% by Santa Claudia

Adm., 6.2% by Santa Claudia Part., 6.5% by Brasilit, 0.8% by

São Lourenço and 0.4% by Saint-Gobain Vidros.

Manufactures ductile cast-iron pipes and connectors.

Plant in Barra Mansa (Rio de Janeiro).

2002 sales: BRL 143.2 million.

Employees: 748.

Holds: Fundicao Aldebara (100%.) - Brazil. Ductile cast iron

connectors. Employees: 316.

SAINT-GOBAIN ABRASIVOS LTDA

100% owned by Spafi.

Manufactures bonded and coated abrasives.

Plants in Caieiras, Caldas, Guarulhos, Lorena, Igarassu,

Paulista, Vinhedo and Jundiai.

2002 sales: BRL 267.2 million.

Employees: 1,290.

Holds: 100% of Saint-Gobain Abrasivos Argentina - Argentina.

Production and distribution of bonded abrasives. Plant in Campana.

Employees: 32.

Holds:

• 100% of Saint-Gobain BayForm Canada. Production and

sale of industrial products and parts for door and window

manufacturing. Plants in Toronto (Ontario), Calgary (Alberta)

St. Apollinaire (Quebec). Sales: CAD 33.1 million.

Employees: 156.

• 100% of Saint-Gobain Technical Fabrics Mexico - Mexico.

Produces insect screens. Plant in Tlaxcala. Sales: 144.3 million

Mexican pesos. Employees: 168.

SÃO LOURENÇO

100% owned by Compagnie de Saint-Gobain.

Holding company. Holds: 44.7% of Saint-Gobain Vidros SA,

1.2% of Brasilit and 0.8% of Saint-Gobain Canalização -

Brazil. See company profiles.

SAINT-GOBAIN VIDROS SA

Owned 54.5% by Compagnie de Saint-Gobain, 44.7% by

São Lourenço and 0.8% by Santa Claudia.

Manufactures and processes flat glass for the auto and

building industries, glass containers (bottles, flasks, industrial

jars), household glassware, glass fiber insulation and glass

fibers for reinforcement. Plants in Mauá, Agus Branca, Campo

Bom and Canoas.

2002 sales: BRL 783.7 million.

Employees: 2,971.

Subsidiaries and holdings

• Cebrace - Saint-Gobain Canalização - Brazil. See company

profile.

• Saint-Gobain Isover Argentina - Argentina (100%). Produces

fiberglass for insulation and reinforcements. Plant in Llavallol.

Sales: 10.9 million Argentine pesos. Employees: 84.

• Santa Marina Vitrage Ltda - Brazil (100%). 

Sales: BRL 32.8 million. Employees: 148.

CEBRACE

50% owned by Saint-Gobain Vidros SA.

Manufacturing and processing of flat glass.

Float-glass plants in Jacarei and Caçapava.

2002 sales: BRL 444,5 million.

Employees: 615.

BRASILIT

Owned 98.8% by SGPPI and 1.2% by São Laurenço.

Manufactures fiber-cement sheets and moldings.

Plants in Esteio (Rio Grande do Sul), Caxanga (Pernambuco)

BRAZIL €1 = BRL 2.78 
168

HANKUK GLASS INDUSTRIES INC. (SOUTH KOREA)

39.7% owned by Sofiag.

Float-glass line producing flat glass. Headquarters in Seoul.

2002 sales: 118.3 billion won. 

Employees: 336.

Holds:

• Hankuk Sekurit Limited - South Korea (50%, plus 25% held

by SGPPI and 25% by Saint-Gobain Sekurit Deutschland

Beteiligungen GmbH). Flat glass processing for the auto industry

Plants in Inchon and Chunbuk. Sales: 196.2 billion won.

Employees: 927.

• Hankuk Processed Glass Inc. (100%), Hankuk Lighting Glass

(100%), Hankuk Haniso (100%), Hankuk Specialty Glass

(60%) - South Korea, Nanjing SG Hanglas Inc. (36.7%, and

36.8% held by Sofiag) - China. Total sales: 50.3 billion won.

Employees: 609.

SAINT-GOBAIN VETROTEX KOREA LTD

98.6% owned by Saint-Gobain Vetrotex International.

Manufactures and sells fiberglass for reinforcements.

Plant in Kunsan (South Korea).

2002 sales: 89.7 billion won. 

Employees: 445.

GRINDWELL NORTON LTD (INDIA)

26.8% owned by Saint-Gobain Abrasives Inc. and 24.6% by SGPPI

Manufactures bonded and coated abrasives.

Plants in Bangalore, Bombay, Nagpur and Tirupaty (India).

2002 sales: 2 billion Indian rupees. 

Employees: 1,318.

SAINT-GOBAIN NORTON KK (JAPAN)

100% owned by Norton Foreign Affiliates.

Produces super-abrasives, technical ceramics, high-performance

plastics, chemical process products and fused-cast ceramics

and ceramic grains.

Plants in Chiba, Suwa and Seto (Japan).

2002 sales: 6.9 billion yen. 

Employees: 183.

SAINT-GOBAIN ABRASIVES PTY 

100% owned by Saint-Gobain Abrasifs (France).

Manufactures coated abrasives, superabrasives and grinding wheels

Plants in Isando and Port Elisabeth (South Africa)

2002 sales: 132.8 billion rands. 

Employees: 174

SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS MEXICO

100% owned by Saint-Gobain Cristalería.

Float in Cuautlá.

2002 sales: 861.1 million Mexican pesos.

Employees: 297.

SAINT-GOBAIN SEKURIT MEXICO

27.7% owned by Saint-Gobain Cristalería and 72.3% by

Saint-Gobain Glass Mexico.

Manufactures flat glass products for the auto industry.

Plant in Cuautlá.

2002 sales: 761.3 million Mexican pesos.

Employees: 824.

SAINT-GOBAIN VETROTEX AMERICA XICOH

55.6% owned by Saint-Gobain Cristalería and 44.4% by

Saint-Gobain Vetrotex España.

Manufactures and sells fiberglass reinforcements.

Plant in Xicohténcatl.

2002 sales: 310.9 million Mexican pesos.

Employees: 243.

SAINT-GOBAIN DE COLOMBIA

Owned 28.5% by Compagnie de Saint-Gobain, 49.4% by

Saint-Gobain Cristalería and 17.1% by Cristalería Andina.

Manufactures flat glass for the automobile and building

industries.

Plants in Barranquilla and Usinme.

2002 sales: 45.5 billion Colombian pesos.

Employees: 217.

PAM COLOMBIA SA

Owned 95% by Saint-Gobain Canalización and 5% by SaintGobain Cristaleria.

Manufactures water supply pipes.

2002 sales: 36.8 billion Colombian pesos.

Employees: 112.

OTHER €1 = KRW 1,175.5 

COUNTRIES €1 = JPY 118.1 

€1 = INR 45.9 

€1 = ZAR 9.9 

MEXICO €1 = MXN 9.15 

COLOMBIA €1 = COP 2,378.4 
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Jean-Louis Beffa

PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR THE “DOCUMENT DE RÉFÉRENCE”

Jean-Louis Beffa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

STATEMENT BY THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR THE “DOCUMENT DE REFERENCE”

STATEMENT BY THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR THE “DOCUMENT DE REFERENCE”

Translated from the original french language statement

To the best of my knowledge, the information contained in the

“Document de Référence” is correct and includes all the

information required by investors to form an opinion on the

assets, operations, financial position, results and outlook of the

issuer. No information has been omitted that would be likely to

alter an investor’s opinion.

Paris, April 1, 2003

STATUTORY AUDITORS

The Statutory Auditors of the Company are:

- PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit, 32 rue Guersant, 75017 Paris,

France, represented by Mike Moralee and Christian Marcellin,

reappointed on June 25, 1998 for a term of six years expiring at

the close of the 2004 Annual General Meeting;

- La Société d'Expertise Comptable Economique et Financière

(SECEF), 3 rue de Turique, 54000 Nancy, France represented by

Jacques Tenette, reappointed on June 29, 2000 for a term of six

years expiring at the close of the 2006 Annual General Meeting.

In our capacity as Statutory Auditors of Compagnie de SaintGobain (the Company) and as required by Commission des

Opérations de Bourse regulation COB 98-01, we have examined

in accordance with French professional standards, the information

about the financial position and the historical accounts included in

the “Document de Référence”.

The “Document de Référence” is the responsibility of the

Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company. Our

responsibility is to express an opinion on the fairness of the

information about the financial position and the accounts

contained in the “Document de Référence”.

Our procedures, which were performed in accordance with French

professional standards, consisted of assessing the fairness of the

information about the financial position and the accounts and

verifying that this information agrees with the audited financial

statements, reading the other information contained in the

“Document de Référence” in order to identify any material

inconsistencies with the information about the financial position

and the accounts, and reporting any manifestly incorrect

information that came to our attention, based on our overall

knowledge of the Company, as acquired during our audit. When

reading the forward looking information determined according to

a structured process, we took into account the assumptions used

by management and the amounts obtained by applying these

assumptions. 

We also audited the consolidated financial statements for the

years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002, as approved

by the Board of Directors, in accordance with French generally

accepted auditing standards. Our reports on these consolidated

financial statements were free of qualifications. Our report on the

consolidated financial statements for the year ended December

31, 2000 contained the following observation: “Without qualifying

X - PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR 

THE “DOCUMENT DE REFERENCE”

AND STATUTORY AUDITORS 
170

The Statutory Auditors

PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit S.E.C.E.F.

Mike Moralee Christian Marcellin Jacques Tenette 

the opinion expressed above, we draw your attention to note 1 to

the consolidated financial statements, which describes a change in

the method of accounting for pensions and other post-retirement

benefits”.

In addition, we audited in accordance with French generally

accepted auditing standards the financial statements of the

Company for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and

2002 prepared in accordance with French generally accepted

accounting principles, as approved by the Board of Directors.

Our reports on these financial statements were free of

qualifications or observations.

Based on the procedures described above and taking into account

the observation made in our audit report, as mentioned above, we

have nothing to report with respect to the fairness of the

information about the financial position and the historic financia

statements contained in the “Document de Référence”.

Paris, April 1, 2003

SECTION CAPTION PAGE

1.1. Names and functions of the persons responsible for the document 169

1.2. Statement by the persons responsible for the document 169

1.3. Names and addresses of the Statutory Auditors 169

3.1. General information concerning the issuer 4

3.2. General information concerning the capital 81

3.3. Current breakdown of ownership and voting rights 69

3.4. Market for the issuer's financial instruments 114

3.5. Dividends 65

4.1. Overview of the Company and the Group 7

4.3. Number of employees 26

4.4. Investment policy 5

4.7. Issuer's risks 83

5.1. Issuer's financial statements 130

5.7. Fees paid to the Statutory Auditors and members of their networks 130

6.1. Membership and operation of the Board of Directors and management bodies 80

6.2. Corporate officers' interests in the company 69

6.3 Employee profit-sharing schemes 71

7.1. Recent trends 49

7.2. Outlook 51

Checklist provided in accordance with regulation 98-01 

of the French Stock Exchange Commission (Commission des Opérations de Bourse)
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

ORDINARY AND EXTRAORDINARY

GENERAL MEETING

of June 5, 2003
172

The Board of Directors is inviting shareholders to vote ten

resolutions governed by the quorum and majority voting rules

applicable to Ordinary General Meetings (resolutions 1 to 10)

and eight resolutions governed by the quorum and majority

voting rules applicable to Extraordinary General Meetings

(resolutions 11 to 18).

I – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE COMPANY

AND THE GROUP; DIVIDEND

The financial statements of the Company and the Group are

presented in the 2002 Annual Report.

Shareholders are invited to approve the financial statements of

the Company (1st resolution) and the Group (2nd resolution)

for the year ended December 31, 2002. 

A description of the Company’s and Group’s financial position at

December 31, 2002 and their business and results for the year then

ended, as well as the information required by applicable legislation

and regulations are also included in the 2002 Annual Report, to

which we would ask you to refer.

APPROPRIATION OF NET INCOME

Net income for Compagnie de Saint-Gobain came to €595,916

thousand in 2002, versus €1,092,872 thousand in 2001. 

Total distributable income amounts to €1,461,798 thousand. This

figure includes €865,882 thousand in retained earnings brought

over from prior years, which takes into account the €118 thousand

adjustment to the 2001 dividend relating to treasury shares sold

between the Board Meeting held to approve the accounts on March

28, 2002 and the dividend payment date of June 24, 2002. 

In the 3rd resolution, shareholders are invited to approve the

deduction of €7,706 thousand from the long-term capital gains

reserve (representing the net impact of the appropriation of a

provisional amount of €34,068 thousand for 2002 less a €41,774

thousand adjustment to the provisional appropriation to long-term

capital gains reserves made in 2001) and to:

- carry forward €1,089,993 thousand as retained earnings;

- appropriate for distribution to shareholders a total of

€379,511,476.32 corresponding to a net dividend per share of

€1.13 which, including the avoir fiscal tax credit of €0.565,

represents total dividend income per share of €1.695.

The 2002 net dividend of €1.13 (up from €1.125 for 2001) wil

be payable in cash from June 23, 2003 on all outstanding shares

in circulation at that date. 

II – REGULATED AGREEMENTS

No new agreements governed by articles L-225-38 et seq. of

the Commercial Code were entered into during the year

Therefore, the Auditors’ special report only refers to agreements

authorized in prior years which remained in force during 2002

(4th resolution). The general assistance agreement between

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain and Saint-Gobain PAM is now

considered as a routine agreement entered into on an arm’s

length basis, as noted by the Board of Directors, and therefore

no longer appears in this report.

III - AUTHORIZATION TO BUY BACK 

AND RESELL SAINT-GOBAIN SHARES

The purpose of the 5th resolution is to authorize the Board of Directors

to buy back and possibly resell Saint-Gobain shares. The maximum

purchase price under this authorization is set at €40 per share and the

minimum sale price at €16 per share.

This authorization is intended to enable Compagnie de Saint-Gobain

to continue to take advantage of the flexibility allowed by the lega

provisions relating to the buy back and resale of its own shares

including: to grant stock purchase options, to allocate shares to

employees, to buy and sell the Company’s shares (including while a

public tender offer is in progress), to take advantage of market

situations, to stabilize the share price by trading against the trend, to

cancel the shares subject to authorization by an Extraordinary Meeting

(see the fifteenth resolution), to hold the shares in treasury stock o

transfer them in any way, including in exchange for shares, or to manage

the Company’s cash position or equity. The shares bought back may

not exceed 10% of the Company’s capital stock. 

The authorization given last year to buy back the Company’s shares has

been implemented as explained on page 73 of the 2002 Annua

Report. 

REPORT TO THE ORDINARY AND EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL

MEETING OF JUNE 5, 2003
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

IV - RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT 

OF A DIRECTOR AND RENEWAL 

OF HIS TERM OF OFFICE, RENEWAL 

OF A DIRECTOR’S TERM OF OFFICE,

ELECTION OF TWO NEW DIRECTORS 

- At its meeting of November 21, 2002, the Board of Directors

approved the recommendation of the Appointments Committee

and appointed Sehoon Lee as a Director on a provisional basis

to replace Jean-Marie Messier, who resigned from his position on

June 7, 2002. As Mr Lee’s term of office is due to expire at the

close of this meeting, shareholders are invited to ratify his

appointment and renew his term of office (6th resolution).

Sehoon Lee, 53, of South Korean nationality, is Co-Chairman of

South Korea-based Hankuk Glass Industries and Hankuk Sekurit. 

After obtaining a doctorate in Philosophy from the University of

Seoul and an MBA from Wharton (University of Pennsylvania),

Sehoon Lee joined the South-Korean Hanglas group in 1977 as

Chief Financial Officer. He occupied various positions within the

group before becoming Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in

1995. Mr Lee is also the Chairman of the Management Committee

of the Hanglas Group, Chairman of the Board of Directors of SaintGobain Hanglas (Asia), SL Investment Co and SL Advisory Co, as

well as Vice-Chairman of the Korean Chamber of Commerce. He

is Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur à titre étranger. He owns

1,000 Saint-Gobain shares. 

Mr Lee was appointed by the Board of Directors on November 21, 2002.

- Shareholders are also invited to renew Gérard Mestrallet’s term

of office in the 7th resolution.

Gérard Mestrallet, 53, is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of

Suez. He graduated from the Ecole Polytechnique, the Ecole de

l’Aviation Civile and the E.N.A. After occupying various posts at the

Ministry of the Economy and Finance, Gérard Mestrallet joined

Compagnie de Suez as Chargé de Mission in 1984, before being

appointed Deputy General Delegate in charge of industrial affairs

in 1986. In 1991 he became a Director and Chairman of the

Management Committee of Société Générale de Belgique. In 1995,

he was appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of

Compagnie de Suez, and then in 1997 Chairman of the

Management Board of Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux. Mr Mestrallet is

also a member of the Supervisory Boards of AXA and Taittinger

and a Director of Crédit Agricole and Pargesa Holding. Within the

Suez group, Gérard Mestrallet is Chairman of Société Générale de

Belgique and of Tractebel and Vice-Chairman of Hisusa and

Sociedad General de Aguas de Barcelona. In 2002 he was also a

Director of Ondeo and Frabepar, a member of the Supervisory Board

of Casino, Crédit Agricole Indosuez, Métropole Télévision M6,

SAGEM and Société du Louvre, and a permanent representative

on the Board of Directors of Fimalac and Le Monde Entreprises.

Gérard Mestrallet owns 840 Saint-Gobain shares.

- Finally, the Board of Directors has also approved the Appointments

Committee’s recommendations in relation to the election of two

new Directors: Pierre Kerhuel to replace Jean-Maurice Malot, and

Denis Ranque to replace Bernard Esambert. Shareholders are

asked to elect these two Directors in the 8th and 9th resolutions.

Pierre Kerhuel, 59, is a Civil Engineering Graduate of the Ecole des

Mines de Nancy. He began his career in 1967 in the IT department

of Everitube, which subsequently became Everite, part of the

Building Materials Division of the Saint-Gobain Group. He went on

to be successively appointed Head of Scheduling, Logistics, Sales

Management and Products, before becoming Sales Director –

France in 1977. In 1979 he was appointed as Marketing Director

for Everitube and in 1981 Sales Director. Between 1985 and 2000,

he worked as the Chief Executive Officer of Tuiles Lambert, before

being appointed as Deputy Chief Operating Officer of Saint-Gobain

Terreal, part of Saint-Gobain’s Tiles business, in November 2000.

He has been a member of the Supervisory Board of the Group

Savings Plan Mutual Funds since December 1999 and in December

2002 became President of the Saint-Gobain Employees’ and

Former Employees’ Shareholders’ Association, replacing JeanMaurice Malot. Pierre Kerhuel is also a Director of Toit Dak, a Belgium

-based Saint-Gobain subsidiary. 

Denis Ranque, 51, is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Thales.

After graduating from the Ecole Polytechnique and the Ecole des

Mines, Denis Ranque occupied various energy-related posts at the

Industry Ministry. He joined the Thomson Group in 1983 as

Corporate Strategy Director and went on to become Aerospace

Director for the Electronic Tubes Division. In 1986, he was appointed

Director of the High Frequency Tubes Department of the division

which was spun-off in 1988 under the name Thomson Tubes

Electroniques (TTE). In 1989, he became Chief Executive Officer

of TTE, before taking up the position of Chairman and Chief

Executive Officer in 1991. In 1992, Denis Ranque became Chairman

and Chief Executive Officer of Thomson Sintra Activités sousmarines. He was then appointed by Thomson-CSF and GEC-Marconi

as Chief Executive Officer of Thomson Marconi Sonar, a joint-venture

created in 1996 operating in sonar systems. Since January 1998,

Denis Ranque has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
174

Thomson-CSF, which has now changed its corporate name to Thales.

He is also Chairman of the Board of Directors of l’Ecole Nationale

Supérieure des Mines de Paris, a Director of the Fondation de l’Ecole

Polytechnique and Chairman of the Cercle de l’Industrie since

September, 2002. 

Shareholders will be asked to grant four-year terms of office to all

of the Directors mentioned in these four resolutions, subject to

the adoption of the 16th resolution which provides for reducing

Directors’ terms of office from six to four years, as from the date of

this meeting. 

V - RENEWAL OF FINANCIAL AUTHORIZATIONS

GIVEN TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

At the meeting, shareholders will be asked to approve three

resolutions renewing authorizations given at the Combined Ordinary

and Extraordinary Meeting of June 28, 2001 for a period of twentysix months. The first resolution is ordinary and the second two are

extraordinary.

Under the 10th resolution, the Board of Directors is asking for

authorization, with a power of delegation, to issue bonds and other

debt securities with a maximum nominal value of €3 billion.

You are also invited to adopt two resolutions to grant authorizations

to the Board of Directors to issue all kinds of securities which may

give rise to the acquisition of an interest in the capital of the

Company, (whether immediately or subsequently), one including

pre-emptive subscription rights for shareholders and one without.

The 11th resolution provides for an authorization to be given to

the Board of Directors, with a power of delegation, to issue, on the

French, foreign and/or international markets, with pre-emptive

subscription rights for existing shareholders, shares, stand-alone

warrants and/or any other marketable securities convertible,

exchangeable, redeemable or otherwise exercisable for shares

(e.g. convertible bonds, shares or bonds with equity warrants

attached, equity notes, etc.), as well as to increase the Company’s

capital through capitalizing reserves. The maximum par value of

common stock issued under this authorization would be

€760 million (including the par value of any issues carried out under

the 12th resolution) and the maximum nominal value of debt

securities €3 billion or the foreign currency equivalent.

The 12th resolution includes the waiver of existing shareholders’

pre-emptive subscription rights and authorizes the Board of

Directors, or any person duly authorized by the Board, to issue the

same shares and share equivalents as in the eleventh resolution

either on the French, foreign or international markets. These

securities may be issued in payment for shares of another company

tendered to a stock-for-stock offer made by Compagnie de SaintGobain. This resolution would also apply to shares issued on the

presentation of marketable securities convertible, redeemable

exchangeable or otherwise exercisable for new Saint-Gobain shares

issued with the agreement of the Board of Directors, by direct o

indirect subsidiaries. The blanket ceiling applicable to both the

eleventh and twelfth authorizations is €760 million for the par value

of common stock issued and €3 billion or the foreign currency

equivalent for debt securities. 

The purpose of these financial authorizations which you are asked

to renew and approve is to give the Board of Directors a large degree

of flexibility and enable it to tailor the form of marketable securities

issued based on market opportunities and conditions either in

France or abroad. The Board of Directors is asking for shareholders

to waive their pre-emptive rights to cover situations where the speed

of transactions is vital to their success, or where it is preferable to

obtain financing from a wide range of investors, as well as to be able

to carry out issues on foreign and international markets where

appropriate. If the Board of Directors were to use the authorization

given in the twelfth resolution, it would be possible to grant

shareholders, for a limited period of time, a priority right to subscribe

to issues on the French market, in which case shares or share

equivalents not taken up by shareholders exercising their priority

right would be placed on the market. 

The amount received by the Company for each share issued unde

the authorization without pre-emptive subscription rights must be

at least equal to the average of the opening prices quoted for the

Company’s shares over ten consecutive trading days selected from

among the twenty trading days preceding the Board Meeting which

decides to issue the securities. 

The only shares we would envisage issuing under these

authorizations are common Compagnie de Saint-Gobain shares and

not any preferred shares, non-voting preferred dividend shares o

investment certificates.

For issues of other marketable securities, the Board of Directors

would determine the timing and applicable terms and conditions

for their conversion, redemption, exchange or exercise at the time

of the issues concerned.
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

VI – DEVELOPMENT OF EMPLOYEE SHARE

OWNERSHIP

The Board of Directors has strived for the past fifteen years to

develop employee share ownership for the Company and the

13th resolution is in line with this continuing objective.

Its aim is to renew the authorization granted to the Board of Directors

at the Combined Ordinary and Extraordinary Meeting of June 28,

2001 to carry out employee share issues for members of the Group

Savings Plan. The Plan, which has been continued this year, allows

current and former employees of Group companies in France and

abroad, subject to certain conditions, to directly or indirectly

subscribe to Saint-Gobain shares offered at a discount not exceeding

20% to the average of the opening prices over the twenty trading

days preceding the date of the decision made by the Board of

Directors setting the price of the shares. By its nature, this

authorization entails the waiver of pre-emptive rights by existing

shareholders. As in the previous authorization, the maximum

aggregate par value of shares issued would be €64 million

(representing 16 million shares) and the authorization would be

valid for twenty-six months.

VII – AUTHORIZATION TO THE BOARD OF

DIRECTORS TO GRANT STOCK OPTIONS

Under the 14th resolution, shareholders are asked to renew the

authorization to grant stock purchase options given to the Board of

Directors in the Combined Ordinary and Extraordinary General Meeting

of June 28, 2001 and to extend the authorization to stock subscription

options. The authorization would be given for a period of twenty-six

months and stock options granted would represent a maximum of

3% of the Company’s share capital.

Under this authorization, the exercise price of the options must be at

least equal to the average of the opening prices quoted for the

Company's shares over the twenty trading days preceding the Board

of Directors’ decision to grant the options. 

VIII – CANCELLATION OF SHARES

In the 15th resolution, shareholders are invited to renew the

authorization given to the Board of Directors at the Combined

Ordinary and Extraordinary Meeting of June 28, 2001 to cancel

shares of the Company acquired under authorizations given by

the shareholders, representing up to a maximum of 10% of the

Company’s capital. The authorization would be given for a period

of twenty-four months.

AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS

- The purpose of the first three proposed amendments to the bylaws

is to reduce the duration of Directors’ terms of office, to set the

same age limit for all Directors and to amend the age limit

applicable to the Chairman of the Board of Directors when he or

she does not also exercise the role of Chief Executive Officer

(16th resolution):

• The first amendment would reduce the duration of Directors’ terms

of office from six to four years.

• The second amendment would set the age limit of 70 for all

Directors (or permanent representatives of legal entities on the

Board). 

These amendments would apply to terms of office granted or

renewed as from the General Meeting of June 5, 2003 and would

not affect those in progress at that date.

• The third amendment would increase the age limit for the

Chairman of the Board from 65 to 68 when he or she does not

also act as Chief Executive Officer. The age limit for the Chairman

and Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief

Operating Officer(s) remains unchanged at 65. 

- The three other bylaw amendments are minor in nature

(17th resolution): 

• The fourth amendment is intended to take into account the fourfor-one stock split of June 2002 and increase the minimum

number of Saint-Gobain shares required to be held by each

Director from two hundred to eight hundred.

• The aim of the fifth amendment is to renumber articles 11 to 15

as articles 10 to 14 as article 10 was repealed by the Combined

Ordinary and Extraordinary General Meeting of June 24, 1999.

• The sixth amendment would split the current article 15

(renumbered article 14) into two to create a new article 14 dealing

exclusively with the Chairman of the Board of Directors, identical

to the current wording of the first paragraph of article 15 (subject

to the increase in the age limit from 65 to 68 provided for in the

16th resolution) and a new article 15 dealing with the Chief

Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officers. Paragraphs 1 and

2 of the new article 15 would be identical to paragraphs 2 and 3

of the current article 15. 

The 18th resolution gives full powers to carry out formalities

associated with the General Meeting.
176

Please find hereafter additional information required by law.

EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY

In accordance with article 148 of the Decree of March 23, 1967, we hereby inform shareholders that at its meeting of July 25, 2002, the Board of

Directors unanimously decided that the Chairman of the Board, JeanLouis Beffa, will continue to be responsible for the general management

of the Company and hold the title of Chairman and Chief Executive

Officer, for the duration of his term of office as Director.

EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP

At December 31, 2002, 6.3% of the Company’s capital and 9.6%

of the voting rights were held collectively by employees under the

Group Savings Plan. Saint-Gobain employee shareholders will be

represented by a new Director, Pierre Kerhuel (to replace JeanMaurice Malot), from the date of this meeting, subject to the adoption of the eight resolution.

REMUNERATION OF CORPORATE OFFICERS

Information required under article L-225-102-1 of the French

Commercial Code is provided on page 79 of the 2002 Annual

Report.

TERMS OF OFFICE AND FUNCTIONS OF DIRECTORS 

Information required under article L-225-102-1 of the French

Commercial Code is provided on pages 73 to 75 of the 2002 Annual

Report.

SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

Information required under article L.225-102-1, para. 4 of the French

Commercial Code is provided on pages 23 to 46 of the 2002 Annual

Report.

CONSULTATION OF HOLDERS OF “OCÉANE” BONDS CONCERNING RESOLUTIONS INCLUDING A WAIVER OF PRE-EMPTIVE SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS (12th – 14th RESOLUTIONS)

Resolutions including the waiver of pre-emptive subscription rights

have been submitted for approval by holders of "Océane” bonds

that are convertible into either new or existing shares issued in

February 2002, with an annual interest rate of 2.625%.

DISCLOSURE THRESHOLDS

During 2002, Compagnie de Saint-Gobain did not cross any disclosure thresholds in terms of ownership interest or voting rights. 

ORDINARY MEETING

Approval of the parent company financial statements for the yea

ended December 31, 2002,

Approval of the consolidated financial statements for the year ended

December 31, 2002,

Approval of the appropriation of net income and the proposed

dividend,

Report on regulated agreements,

Authorization to the Board of Directors to buy back and resell the

Company’s shares,

Ratification of the appointment of Sehoon Lee as a Director and

renewal of his term of office,

Renewal of the term of office as Director of Gérard Mestrallet,

Election of Pierre Kerhuel as Director, to replace Jean-Maurice Malot

Election of Denis Ranque as Director, to replace Bernard Esambert

Renewal of the authorization to the Board of Directors to issue bonds

and other debt securities with a maximum face value of €3 billion

EXTRAORDINARY MEETING

Renewal of the authorization given to the Board of Directors to

increase capital stock, either through the issue, with pre-emptive

subscription rights for existing shareholders, of shares or share

equivalents or through the capitalization of additional paid-in capital

reserves, income or other capitalizable items, up to a maximum

of €760 million (par value of shares) and €3 billion (debt

securities),

Renewal of the authorization given to the Board of Directors to

increase capital stock, through the issue, without pre-emptive

subscription rights for existing shareholders, of shares and share

equivalents, including if applicable securities to be issued by

subsidiaries, up to a maximum of €760 million (par value of shares)

and €3 billion (debt securities).

Renewal of the authorization given to the Board of Directors to carry

out employee share issues for members of the Group Savings

Plan up to a maximum aggregate par value of €64 million,

Authorization to the Board of Directors to grant stock purchase o

subscription options representing a maximum of 3% of the

Company’s capital stock,

Renewal of the authorization given to the Board of Directors to

cancel shares representing a maximum of 10% of the Company’s

capital stock,

*

AGENDA * *
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

Amendments to the bylaws relating in particular to the duration of

Directors’ terms of office and applicable age limits,

Powers to carry out formalities.

ORDINARY MEETING

FIRST RESOLUTION

Approval of the parent company financial statements for the

year ended December 31, 2002

The General Meeting, after reviewing the report of the Board of

Directors and the general report of the Statutory Auditors, approves

the parent company financial statements for the year ended

December 31, 2002 as presented, as well as the transactions reflected

in these financial statements and summarized in these reports.

SECOND RESOLUTION

Approval of the consolidated financial statements for the year

ended December 31, 2002

The General Meeting, after reviewing the report of the Board of

Directors and the general report of the Statutory Auditors, approves

the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December

31, 2002 as presented, as well as the transactions reflected in these

financial statements and summarized in these reports.

THIRD RESOLUTION

Approval of the appropriation of net income and proposed

dividend

The General Meeting, having noted that net income for the year

amounts to €595,916,171.19 and retained earnings to

€865,881,693.59, giving a total of €1,461,797,864.78, approves

the proposals made by the Board of Directors with respect to the

appropriation of net income and resolves:

• to deduct from the special long-term capital gains reserve an

amount of €7,706,382.61 representing the net impact of the

appropriation of a provisional amount of €34,067,790 for 2002

less a €41,774,172.61 adjustment to the provisional appropriation

to long-term capital gains reserves made in 2001;

• to carry forward €1,089,992,771.07 as retained earnings

• to appropriate for distribution to the shareholders:

- a first dividend of €67,170,172.80.

. an additional dividend of €312,341,303.52.

• giving a total amount of €379,511,476.32.

The net dividend per share carrying dividend rights will therefore

amount to €1.13 which, including the 50% avoir fiscal tax credit

of €0.565, represents a total dividend of €1.695.

In accordance with legal requirements, dividends paid in the last

three years are presented in the table below:

FOURTH RESOLUTION

Report on regulated agreements

The General Meeting notes the terms of the Statutory Auditors’

special report on regulated agreements, drawn up in accordance

with legal requirements.

FIFTH RESOLUTION

Authorization to the Board of Directors to buy back and resell

the Company’s shares

The General Meeting, having reviewed the report of the Board of

Directors and the prospectus approved by the Commission des

Opérations de Bourse, authorizes the Board of Directors to buy back

and possibly resell Company shares, in accordance with articles

L.225-209 et seq. of the Commercial Code, on one or more

occasions. The shares may be purchased, sold or transferred by any

appropriate method, including over-the-counter, in the form of block

sales, through option transactions or by means of derivative

instruments. The purpose of this authorization is to allow the

Company to grant stock purchase options, allocate shares to

employees, buy and sell the Company’s shares – including while

a public tender offer is in progress –, to stabilize the share price by

trading against the trend or to take advantage of market situations,

to cancel the shares subject to authorization by an Extraordinary

Meeting, to hold the shares in treasury stock or to sell or transfer

them in any way, including in exchange for shares, or to manage the

Company’s cash position or equity. Such transactions will be

governed by the following terms:

Year Number Net Tax Total 

of shares Dividend credit revenue

on which

dividend paid in € in € in €

1999 83,587,844 * 3.60 1.80 5.40

334,351,376 ** 0.90 0.45 1.35

2000 82,990,762 * 4.30 2.15 6.45

331,963,048 ** 1.075 0.5375 1.6125

2001 84,080,890 * 4.50 2.25 6.75

336,323,560 ** 1.125 0.5625 1.6875

RESOLUTIONS

* Before 

** After { the four-for-one stock split carried out in June 2002.
178

• maximum purchase price: €40 per share

• minimum sale price: €16 per share 

• maximum number of shares: 10% of the total number of shares

making up the Company’s capital stock at the date of this meeting,

representing a maximum theoretical purchase price of

€1,342,000,000.

In the case of a bonus share issue paid up by capitalizing reserves,

or a stock split or reverse stock split, the above prices per share

will be adjusted based on the ratio between the number of shares

issued and outstanding before and after the transaction.

This authorization is granted for a period of eighteen months from

the date of this meeting. It supersedes, for the unexpired period, the

unused portion of the authorization granted in the fifth resolution of

the Ordinary General Meeting of June 6, 2002.

The General Meeting gives full powers to the Board of Directors, and

by delegation, to any person duly authorized by the Board, to enter

into any and all agreements, carry out any and all formalities and

take any and all other action required to use this authorization.

SIXTH RESOLUTION

Ratification of the appointment of Sehoon Lee as a Director and

renewal of his term of office

The General Meeting ratifies the appointment of Sehoon Lee as

Director, which was made on a provisional basis by the Board of

Directors at its meeting of November 21, 2002, to replace JeanMarie Messier who resigned from his position on June 7, 2002. As

Mr. Lee’s term of office is due to expire at the close of this meeting,

the General Meeting renews his term of office for a period of four

years (subject to the adoption of the sixteenth resolution), expiring

at the close of the General Meeting called to approve the financial

statements for the year ending December 31, 2006.

SEVENTH RESOLUTION

Renewal of the term of office as Director of Gérard Mestrallet

The General Meeting notes that Gérard Mestrallet’s term of office

as Director is due to expire at the close of this meeting and renews

his term of office for a period of four years (subject to the adoption

of the sixteenth resolution), expiring at the close of the General

Meeting called to approve the financial statements for the year

ending December 31, 2006.

EIGHTH RESOLUTION

Election of Pierre Kerhuel as Director, to replace Jean-Maurice Malot

The General Meeting notes that Jean- Maurice Malot’s term of office

as Director is due to expire at the close of this meeting and elects

Pierre Kerhuel as Director as his replacement in accordance with

para. 3 of article 9 of the bylaws, for a four year term of office

(subject to the adoption of the sixteenth resolution), expiring at

the close of the General Meeting called to approve the financia

statements for the year ending December 31, 2006.

NINTH RESOLUTION

Election of Denis Ranque as Director, to replace Bernard

Esambert

The General Meeting notes that Bernard Esambert’s term of office

as Director is due to expire at the close of this meeting and elects

Denis Ranque as Director as his replacement, for a four year term

of office (subject to the adoption of the sixteenth resolution), expiring

at the close of the General Meeting called to approve the financia

statements for the year ending December 31, 2006.

TENTH RESOLUTION

Renewal of the authorization given to the Board of Directors on

June 28, 2001 to issue bonds and other debt securities with a

maximum face value of €3 billion

The General Meeting, having reviewed the report of the Board of

Directors, authorizes the Board of Directors to issue at its discretion

on one or more occasions, either in France or abroad or on the

international market, bonds and other debt securities, such as fixedterm or perpetual subordinated securities, interest-bearing o

otherwise and if so at fixed or variable rates, with or without attached

warrants giving rights to the grant, purchase or subscription of othe

securities and/or debt securities.

The maximum nominal value of the above-mentioned debt issues

may not exceed €3 billion or the equivalent in foreign currency o

a monetary unit determined by reference to a basket of currencies

The General Meeting grants full powers to the Board of Directors

with a right to sub-delegate in accordance with the law, to carry

out the issue(s) and to determine the timing and conditions of the

issues and the form, interest rates and characteristics of the securities

concerned, including the conditions governing their exercise

amortization or redemption, including through exchange or transfe

of other marketable securities held by the Company.

This authorization is given for a period of twenty-six months from

the date of this meeting and supersedes, for the unexpired period

the unused portion of the authorization granted in the eighth

resolution of the General Meeting of June 28, 2001.
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

EXTRAORDINARY MEETING

ELEVENTH RESOLUTION

Renewal of the authorization given to the Board of Directors on

June 28, 2001 to increase capital stock, either through the issue,

with pre-emptive subscription rights for existing shareholders,

of shares or share equivalents or through the capitalization of

additional paid-in capital, reserves, income or other

capitalizable items, up to a maximum of €760 million (par value

of shares) and €3 billion (debt securities)

The Extraordinary Meeting, having reviewed the report of the Board

of Directors and the special report of the Statutory Auditors, in

accordance with French Company law, including article L-225-129-

III of the Commercial Code: 

1/ Authorizes the Board of Directors to carry out one or more capital

increases, the amounts and timing of which will be decided at the

Board of Directors discretion:

a) by the issue, in euros, foreign currencies or any other monetary

unit defined by reference to a basket of currencies (whether issued

for consideration or not), of shares, stand-alone warrants and/or

any other marketable securities convertible, exchangeable

redeemable or otherwise exercisable (whether immediately or

subsequently and whether with certainty or only as a possibility),

for common shares of the Company, on the French, foreign and/or

international markets,

b) and/or by issuing bonus shares or raising the par value of existing shares

to be paid up by capitalizing all or part of the Company’s additional paidin capital, reserves, retained earnings, or any other capitalizable items

in accordance with the law and the Company’s bylaws.

2/ Resolves that this authorization is given for a period of twentysix months from the date of this meeting.

3/ Resolves that the following conditions will apply if the Board of

Directors uses this authorization to issue the securities described in

1/a) above, 

a) the maximum par value of common stock which may be issued,

either directly or on the presentation of other securities, is

€760 million or the foreign currency equivalent, which includes

the total par value of any common stock issued to preserve the

rights of the holders of these securities in accordance with the law.

The par value of any common stock issued either directly or

indirectly in accordance with the twelfth resolution of this General

Meeting will be charged against this total,

b) the maximum nominal value of debt securities which may be

issued under this resolution is set at €3 billion, or the foreign

currency equivalent thereof.

4/ Resolves that if the Board of Directors uses this authorization to

issue the securities described in 1/a) above:

a) the securities will be offered to existing shareholders on a preemptive basis, pro rata to their existing interest in the Company’s

capital,

b) the Board of Directors may grant shareholders a pre-emptive right

to subscribe for any shares and/or share equivalents not taken up

by other shareholders,

c) this authorization entails the waiver by the shareholders, in favor

of the holders of any of the above securities, of their pre-emptive

right to subscribe for the shares to be issued on conversion,

redemption or exchange of the securities, on exercise of a warrant

or otherwise.

5/ Gives full powers to the Board of Directors with a right to

subdelegate in accordance with law, to use the above authorization,

and:

a) to determine the conditions of the capital increase(s) and/or

issue(s),

b) for all issues carried out in accordance with the authorization

granted in 1/a) above:

- to determine the amount of the issue, the issue price and the

premium,

- to decide on the timing and other terms of the issues, including

the form and characteristics of the securities, which may be

subordinated or unsubordinated, and may be undated or have a

fixed maturity date,

- to determine the terms of settlement of the subscription price of

the securities,

- to define the terms and conditions for the exercise of any rights

attached to the securities issued or to be issued and to determine

the date from which the securities will carry dividend or interest

rights, which may be set retroactively, as well as all other terms

and conditions relating to the issue(s), 

- to set the conditions under which the securities issued directly or

indirectly under this authorization may be bought back or exchanged by

the Company on the open market, at any time or during fixed periods,
180

- to suspend the rights attached to the securities for a period not

exceeding three months,

- at its sole discretion, to charge issue costs to the related premiums

and credit all or part of the remaining premiums to the legal reserve

as needed in order to raise this reserve to one-tenth of the new

capital stock after each increase.

c) for all issues carried out by capitalizing additional paid-in capital,

reserves, retained earnings, or any other capitalizable items:

- to decide the amount and types of items to be capitalized, the

number of new shares to be issued or the amount by which the

par value of existing shares is to be increased, to set the retrospective

or future date from which the new shares will carry dividend and

voting rights or the date on which the increase in par value will be

effective,

- to decide that, as an exception to the provisions of Article L.225-

149 of the Commercial Code, rights to fractions of shares will be

non-transferable and that the corresponding shares will be sold,

d) and generally, to enter into any and all agreements, take all

appropriate steps and carry out all formalities necessary for the

issue and servicing of the shares and share equivalents issued

under this authorization and for the exercise of the rights attached

thereto, to place on record the capital increase(s) resulting from

issues in accordance with this authorization and to amend the

bylaws accordingly. 

6/ Notes that this authorization supersedes, for the unexpired period,

the unused portion of the authorization granted in the ninth resolution

of the General Meeting of June 28, 2001.

TWELFTH RESOLUTION

Renewal of the authorization given to the Board of Directors

on June 28, 2001 to increase capital stock, through the issue,

without pre-emptive subscription rights for existing shareholders,

of shares and share equivalents, including if applicable securities

to be issued by subsidiaries, up to a maximum of €760 million

(par value of shares) and €3 billion (debt securities)

The Extraordinary Meeting, having reviewed the report of the Board

of Directors and the special report of the Statutory Auditors, in

accordance with French Company law, including articles L-225- 129-

III, L. 225-148, L. 225-150 and L.228- 93 of the Commercial Code: 

1/ Authorizes the Board of Directors to carry out one or more capital

increases, the amounts and timing of which will be decided at the

Board of Directors discretion, by issuing the following securities on

French, foreign and/or international markets, denominated in euros

or any other currency or monetary unit determined by reference

to a basket of currencies: 

a) shares, stand-alone warrants and/or any other marketable

securities, convertible, exchangeable, redeemable or otherwise

exercisable, at any time or at a set time, for shares. The Board

of Directors may issue shares in payment for shares of anothe

company tendered to a stock-for-stock offer made by the

Company, subject to compliance with the provisions of Article

L.225-148 of the Commercial Code.

b) and/or the securities described below, following the issue by

companies directly or indirectly over-50% owned by Compagnie

de Saint-Gobain, and with the latter’s agreement:

- bonds with warrants to subscribe for common stock of Compagnie

de Saint-Gobain,

- or any other marketable securities convertible, redeemable

exchangeable or otherwise exercisable, at any time or at a set time

for new securities representing a proportional interest in the share

capital of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain. These securities may take

the form of shares with warrants to subscribe for common stock

bonds convertible for common stock, bonds redeemable in

common stock or any other form subject to compliance with the

applicable legislation.

2/ Resolves that this authorization is given for a period of twentysix months from the date of this meeting.

3/ Resolves that the following conditions will apply if the Board of

Directors uses this authorization to issue the securities described:

a) The maximum par value of common stock which may be issued

either directly or on the presentation of other securities, is

€760 million or the foreign currency equivalent, which includes

the total par value of any common stock issued to preserve the

rights of the holders of these securities in accordance with the

law. The par value of any common stock issued either directly

or indirectly in accordance with the eleventh resolution of this

General Meeting will be charged against this total.

b) The maximum nominal value of debt securities which may be

issued under this resolution is set at €3 billion, or the foreign

currency equivalent thereof.

4/ Resolves that existing shareholders shall not have a pre-emptive

right to subscribe to the shares or share equivalents issued unde

this authorization, either directly by the Company or by a subsidiary

more than 50%-owned by the Company, but that the Board of

Directors may grant shareholders a priority right to subscribe to al

or part of each issue, for a period and on terms to be decided by
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

the Board. Said priority right shall be non-transferable but

shareholders may, at the Board’s discretion, be offered a secondary

priority right to subscribe for any shares or share equivalents not

taken up by other shareholders. Any shares or share equivalents not

subscribed by shareholders exercising their priority right will be

placed on the market.

5/ Notes and resolves that this authorization entails the waiver by

the shareholders, in favor of the holders of any of the above

securities, of their pre-emptive right to subscribe for the shares to

be issued on conversion, redemption or exchange of the securities,

on exercise of a warrant or otherwise.

6/ Resolves that the amount received by the Company for each

share issued under this authorization either directly or on conversion,

exchange, redemption or exercise of share equivalents shall be at

least equal to the average of the opening prices quoted for the

Company’s shares over ten consecutive trading days selected from

among the twenty trading days preceding the issue of the shares

or share equivalents, as adjusted for any differences in cum-dividend

dates.

7/ Gives full powers to the Board of Directors, with a right to

subdelegate in accordance with law, to use the above authorization,

and:

• to determine the conditions of the issue(s) in agreement with

the relevant corporate bodies of the companies concerned, where

applicable,

• to determine the amount of the issue, the issue price and the

premium,

• to decide on the timing and other terms of the issues, including

the form and characteristics of the securities, which may be

subordinated or unsubordinated, and may be undated or have a

fixed maturity date,

• to determine the terms of settlement of the subscription price of

the securities,

• to define the terms and conditions for the exercise of any rights

attached to the securities issued or to be issued and to determine

the date from which the securities will carry dividend or interest

rights, which may be set retroactively, as well as all other terms and

conditions relating to the issue(s),

• to set the conditions under which the securities issued directly or

indirectly under this authorization may be bought back or

exchanged on the open market, at any time or during fixed periods,

• to suspend the rights attached to the securities for a period not

exceeding three months,

• in the case of issuance of shares or share equivalents in payment

for securities tendered under a public exchange offer made by the

Company, the Board of Directors shall have full powers to

determine the securities concerned, the conditions of the issue,

the exchange parity and any balance to be paid in cash, and to

determine the terms of issue either for a public exchange offer,

an alternative offer to acquire or to exchange, or a principal offer

to acquire or exchange associated with a specific tender offer to

exchange or acquire.

• at its sole discretion, to charge issue costs to the related premiums

and credit all or part of the remaining premiums to the legal reserve

as needed in order to raise this reserve to one-tenth of the new

capital stock after each increase,

• generally, to enter into any and all agreements, take all appropriate

steps and carry out all formalities necessary for the issue and

servicing of the shares and share equivalents issued under this

authorization and for the exercise of the rights attached thereto,

to place on record the capital increases resulting from issues in

accordance with this authorization and to amend the bylaws

accordingly. 

8/ Notes that this authorization supersedes, for the unexpired

period, the unused portion of the authorization granted in the tenth

resolution of the General Meeting of June 28, 2001.

THIRTEENTH RESOLUTION

Renewal of the authorization given to the Board of Directors on

June 28, 2001 to carry out employee share issues for members

of the Group Savings Plan up to a maximum aggregate par value

of €64 million

The Extraordinary Meeting, having reviewed the report of the Board

of Directors and the special report of the Statutory Auditors, and in

accordance with French Company law including articles L 225-

129-VII and L 225-138 of the Commercial Code, and articles L. 443-

1 et seq. of the Labor Code:

1/ Authorizes the Board of Directors to carry out one or more capital

increases by issuing common stock for subscription by members

of the Group Savings Plan, the amounts and timing of which will

be decided at the Board of Directors discretion. This authorization

entails the waiver, by existing shareholders of their pre-emptive right

to subscribe for new shares to be issued for members of the plan.

2/ Resolves that the shares issued under this authorization will be

offered for subscription by the members of a savings plan of
182

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain or related companies as defined by

article L. 225-180 of the Commercial Code and article L. 444-3 of

the Labor Code, subject to compliance with any conditions which

may be set by the Board of Directors.

3/ Resolves that this authorization is given for a period of twentysix months from the date of this meeting.

4/ Resolves to set at €64 million, the maximum aggregate par value

of shares issued under this authorization.

5/ Resolves that shares issued under this authorization may not

be offered at a discount of over 20% to the average of the opening

prices quoted for the Company’s shares on the Premier Marché of

the Paris stock exchange over the twenty trading days preceding the

date of the decision made by the Board of Directors setting the price

of the shares.

6/ Gives full powers to the Board of Directors, with a right to

subdelegate in accordance with law, to use the above authorization,

and to:

• define the eligibility conditions for participation in the share issues

to be carried out under this authorization,

• set the conditions of issue,

• set the amount, issue price, timing and terms for each issue,

• set the time limit for paying up shares,

• set the date from which the new shares will carry rights, which may

be retroactive, 

• record the increase in capital stock to reflect the number of shares

effectively subscribed, or decide to raise the amount of the issue

in order to ensure that all subscription requests are fulfilled, and

to set the applicable rules regarding the reduction of individual

subscription amounts in the event of over subscription,

• at its sole discretion, charge issue costs to the related premiums

and credit all or part of the remaining premiums to the legal reserve

as needed in order to raise this reserve to one-tenth of the new

capital stock after each increase,

• take all the necessary steps and carry out all the necessary

formalities related to the increases in capital stock, including

amending the company bylaws.

FOURTEENTH RESOLUTION

Authorization to the Board of Directors to grant stock purchase

or subscription options representing a maximum of 3% of the

Company’s capital stock

The Extraordinary Meeting, having reviewed the report of the Board

of Directors and the special report of the Statutory Auditors, in

accordance with French Company law, including articles L-225-

177 to L. 225-185 and L. 225-209 of the Commercial Code: 

1/ Authorizes the Board of Directors, at its sole discretion, and on

one or more occasions, to award options to the beneficiaries set out

below to purchase existing shares of the Company bought back in

accordance with the law, or to subscribe to new common stock of

the Company issued by way of a capital increase.

2/ Resolves that this authorization is given for a period of twentysix months from the date of this meeting.

3/ Resolves that the sole beneficiaries of these options will be

employees (collectively, on an individual basis or by category) o

officers, as defined by law, of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain and

related companies and intercompany partnerships as defined by

article L.225-180 of the Commercial Code.

4/ Resolves that the total number of options granted may not entitle

beneficiaries to purchase or subscribe to a number of shares

representing over 3% of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain’s capital stock

at the date of this meeting.

5/ Resolves that for stock purchase options, the purchase price of

the shares will be set on the date on which the options are granted

by the Board of Directors and must be at least equal to 100% of

the average of the opening prices quoted for the Company’s shares

over the twenty trading days preceding the date of grant and may

not represent less than the average price paid for the shares held

by the Company pursuant to articles L. 225-208 and L.225-209 of

the Commercial Code.

6/ Resolves that for stock subscription options, the subscription price

of the shares will be set on the date on which the options are

granted by the Board of Directors and must be at the least equa

to 100% of the average of the opening prices quoted for the

Company’s shares over the twenty trading days preceding the date

of grant.
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

7/ Notes that this authorization entails the waiver by existing

shareholders of their pre-emptive right to subscribe for new shares

to be issued from time to time as options are exercised, to the

grantees of the stock subscription options,

8/ Gives full powers to the Board of Directors to use the above

authorization, subject to compliance with the law, and to:

• set the conditions of grant, to draw up the list of or categories of

beneficiaries as described above and to determine the conditions

under which the exercise price and the number of shares may

be adjusted, particularly if the Company carries out any financial

transactions requiring such an adjustment,

• set the exercise periods for the options thus granted, which may

not exceed ten years from the date of grant,

• provide for the temporary suspension of the right to exercise the

options for a maximum period of three months in the event of

financial transactions involving the exercise of rights attached to

the Company’s shares,

• carry out all actions and formalities required to implement the

capital increase or increases carried out under this authorization

and amend the bylaws to reflect the new capital, and generally

to do whatever is necessary,

• at its sole discretion, charge issue costs to the related premiums

and credit all or part of the remaining premiums to the legal reserve

as needed in order to raise this reserve to one-tenth of the new

capital stock after each increase,

9/ Notes that this authorization supersedes, for the unexpired

period, the unused portion of the authorization granted in the

thirteenth resolution of the General Meeting of June 28, 2001.

FIFTEENTH RESOLUTION

Renewal of the authorization given to the Board of Directors on

June 28, 2001 to cancel shares representing a maximum of 10%

of the Company’s capital stock

The Extraordinary Meeting, having reviewed the report of the Board

of Directors and the special report of the Statutory Auditors:

1/ Resolves, in accordance with article L 225-209 of the Commercial

Code, to authorize the Board of Directors to cancel the shares of the

Company acquired under the authorizations given by shareholders

in General Meeting, as follows:

- the Board shall have full discretionary authority to cancel, on one

or more occasions, all or some of the shares purchased under

shareholder-approved buyback programs, provided that the total

number of shares cancelled in the twenty-four month period prior

to cancellation does not exceed 10% of the total number of shares

outstanding at the date of the cancellation, and to reduce the

Company’s capital accordingly,

- any difference between the price paid for the cancelled shares and

their par value will be partly charged to the legal reserve (10% of

the capital cancelled), with the remainder deducted from the issue

premium.

- this authorization is given for a period of twenty-four months

from the date of this meeting. The Board of Directors shall have

full powers to carry out any and all actions, formalities and filings

required to cancel the shares, reduce the capital and amend the

bylaws to reflect the new capital, either directly or through a duly

authorized representative.

2/ Notes that this authorization supersedes, for the unexpired

period, the unused portion of the authorization granted in the

fourteenth resolution of the General Meeting of June 28, 2001.

SIXTEENTH RESOLUTION

Amendments to the bylaws relating to the duration of Directors’

terms of office and applicable age limits (effective for terms of

office granted as from June 5, 2003) and the applicable age

limit for the Chairman of the Board of Directors

The Extraordinary Meeting, having reviewed the report of the Board

of Directors, resolves to amend paragraphs 4 and 6 of article 9

and the first paragraph of article 15 of the bylaws as set out below.

The amendments relating to the duration of Directors’ terms of office

and their age limits will apply to terms of office granted as from

the date of this meeting and will not affect those in progress at

that date (new paragraph 10 of article 9).
184

- First and second amendments

(Changes in italics)

- Third amendment

(Changes in italics)

Current text

ARTICLE 9

Membership of the Board 

of Directors

Paragraph 4

Directors are elected for a term of

office of up to six years, subject to

the restrictions concerning age

limits. Their re-election is subject

to the same restrictions.

Paragraph 6

The number of Directors or permanent representatives of legal

entities on the Board of Directors,

aged over seventy may not exceed

one third of the total number of

Directors, including both individuals and legal entities.

New text

ARTICLE 9

Membership of the Board 

of Directors

Paragraph 4

Directors are elected for a term of

office of up to four years, subject

to the restrictions concerning age

limits. Their re-election is subject

to the same restrictions.

Paragraph 6

The age limit for Directors or permanent representatives of legal

entities on the Board of Directors is

set at 70. The terms of office of

Directors or permanent representatives of legal entities on the Board of

Directors end at the close of the

General Meeting held to approve

the financial statements for the year

in which he or she reaches the age

of 70

New paragraph 10

The amendments to para. 4 relating

to the duration of Directors’ terms of

office and para. 6 relating to their age

limits apply to terms of office granted

as from the General Meeting of June

5, 2003 and do not affect those in

progress at that date.

Current text

ARTICLE 15

Chairman of the Board 

of Directors

The Chairman of the Board of

Directors represents the Board. He

or she organizes and directs the

work of the Board and reports to

the shareholders’ General Meeting

thereon. The Chairman also

ensures that the Company’s corporate bodies function effectively

and, in particular, that the

Directors are in a position to fulfill

their responsibilities. The

Chairman of the Board’s term of

office ends at the latest at the close

of the General Meeting held to

approve the financial statements

for the year in which he or she

reaches the age of 65. 

New text

ARTICLE 14

Chairman of the Board 

of Directors

The Chairman of the Board of

Directors represents the Board. He

or she organizes and directs the

work of the Board and reports to

the shareholders’ General Meeting

thereon. The Chairman also

ensures that the Company’s corporate bodies function effectively

and, in particular, that the

Directors are in a position to fulfill

their responsibilities. Where the

Chairman of the Board is not also

the Chief Executive Officer, his or

her term of office ends at the latest

at the close of the General

Meeting held to approve the financial statements for the year in

which he or she reaches the age of

68.
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

SEVENTEENTH RESOLUTION

Amendments to the bylaws to take into account the four-for-one

stock split, to renumber the articles and to split the current article

15 into two articles 

The Extraordinary Meeting, having reviewed the report of the Board

of Directors, resolves to amend paragraph 2 of article 9 and articles

10 to 15 of the bylaws as set out below: 

- First amendment: reflection of the four-for-one stock split of June

2002 in relation to the minimum required number of shares for

Directors (paragraph 2 of article 9)

(Changes in italics)

- Second amendment: articles 11 to 15 renumbered 10 to 14, as

article 10 was repealed by the General Meeting of June 24, 1999.

- Third amendment: article 15 (renumbered article 14) split in

two: 

- article 14 is entitled “Chairman of the Board of Directors” and is

the same as the first paragraph of the current article 15, subject

to the amendment set out in the sixteenth resolution concerning

the age limit of the Chairman of the Board of Directors. 

- article 15 is entitled “Chief Executive Officer – Chief Operating

Officers”. The two paragraphs are identical to paragraphs 2 and 3

of the current article 15. 

EIGHTEENTH RESOLUTION

Powers to carry out formalities 

The Extraordinary Meeting gives full powers to the bearer of an

original, copy or extract of the minutes of this meeting, to carry out

all necessary formalities.

Current text

ARTICLE 9

Membership of the Board 

of Directors

Paragraph 2

Each Director must own at least

two hundred Company shares.

New text

ARTICLE 9

Membership of the Board 

of Directors

Paragraph 2

Each Director must own at least

eight hundred Company shares.
186

For the year ended December 31, 2002

Translated from the original French language report

To the shareholders,

In our capacity as the Statutory Auditors of Compagnie de SaintGobain, we present below our report on regulated agreements.

Our responsibility does not include identifying any undisclosed

agreements. We are required to report to shareholders, based on the

information provided, about the main terms and conditions of

agreements that have been disclosed to us, without commenting on

their relevance or substance. Under the provisions of article 92 of the

March 23, 1967 decree, it is the responsibility of shareholders to

determine whether the agreements are appropriate and should be

approved.

Agreements entered into in 2002

We have not been advised of any new agreements governed by article

L. 225-38 of the Commercial Code entered into during the year.

Agreements entered into in prior years 

which remained in force during the year 

In application of the decree of March 23, 1967, we were informed

of the following agreements entered into in prior years, which

remained in force during the year. 

Agreements with Saint-Gobain PAM 

Tax consolidation agreement

The tax consolidation agreement signed with Saint-Gobain PAM on

July 24, 1998 expired on December 31, 2002.

On January 23, 2003 the Board of Directors noted that the new tax

consolidation agreement to be entered into effective from January

1, 2003 between Compagnie de Saint-Gobain and other companies

including Saint-Gobain PAM, could now be considered as a routine

group agreement and is therefore not governed by article L. 225-38

of the Commercial Code.

General assistance contract

In application of the general assistance contract of September 18

1991 and its additional clauses, the Company received fees totaling

€13,322,442 from Saint-Gobain PAM.

On January 23, 2003 the Board of Directors decided that as this type

of agreement is becoming increasingly common between the

Company and its subsidiaries, the contract with Saint-Gobain PAM

can now be considered as a routine agreement entered into on arm’s

length terms. The Board of Directors therefore noted that the

agreement is no longer governed by article L. 225-38 of the

Commercial Code. 

We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of ou

profession applicable in France. Those standards require that we carry

out the necessary procedures to verify the consistency of the

information disclosed to us with the source documents.

Paris, March 20, 2003

The Statutory Auditors

PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit S.E.C.E.F.

Mike Moralee Christian Marcellin Jacques Tenette

SPECIAL REPORT OF THE STATUTORY AUDITORS 

ON REGULATED AGREEMENTS
SAINT-GOBAIN 2002 ANNUAL REPORT 

For the year ended December 31, 2002

Translated from the original French language report

To the shareholders,

1. AUTHORIZATIONS TO ISSUE SHARES AND SHARE

EQUIVALENTS (11th AND 12th RESOLUTIONS)

In our capacity as Statutory Auditors of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain

and as required by the Commercial Code, we present below our

report on the proposed issues of shares and share equivalents.

As provided for in Article L.225-129 III of the Commercial Code,

the Board of Directors is asking shareholders for an authorization,

on the basis described in the Board's report, to fix the terms and

conditions of these issues and, where applicable, for shareholders

to waive their pre-emptive right to subscribe for the securities

concerned.

In the eleventh resolution, the Board of Directors is seeking an

authorization to increase capital stock, through the issue, with preemptive subscription rights for existing shareholders, of shares or

share equivalents.

The maximum par value of common stock which may be issued is

€760 million, including the par value of common stock issued in

accordance with the twelfth resolution.

The maximum nominal amount of debt securities which may be

issued is €3 billion.

In the twelfth resolution, the Board of Directors is seeking an

authorization to increase capital stock, through the issue, without

pre-emptive subscription rights for existing shareholders, of shares

and share equivalents, including if applicable securities to be issued

by subsidiaries.

Under this authorization the Board of Directors may issue shares

in payment for shares of another company tendered to a stockfor-stock offer made by the Company, subject to compliance with

the provisions of Article L.225-148 of the Commercial Code.

The maximum par value of common stock which may be issued is

€760 million, including the par value of common stock issued in

accordance with the eleventh resolution.

The maximum nominal amount of debt securities which may be

issued is €3 billion.

These authorizations entail the waiver by the shareholders, in favor

of the holders of any of the above securities, of their pre-emptive

right to subscribe for the shares to be issued on conversion,

redemption or exchange of the securities, on exercise of a warrant

or otherwise.

We reviewed the planned issues in accordance with the professional

standards applicable in France. Those standards require that we carry

out the necessary procedures to review the methods used for

determining the issue price of the securities concerned.

Since the issue price has not yet been set, we cannot formulate

an opinion on the final conditions under which the issues will be

carried out, and consequently have no opinion on the proposal to

waive shareholders' pre-emptive subscription rights, the principle of

which is consistent with the proposed operation.

In accordance with article 155-2 of the decree of March 23, 1967,

we will issue a supplementary report at the time of each such

issue conducted by the Board of Directors.

2. AUTHORIZATION TO CARRY OUT EMPLOYEE SHARE 

ISSUES FOR MEMBERS OF THE GROUP SAVINGS PLAN 

(13th RESOLUTION)

In our capacity as Statutory Auditors and in accordance with article

L. 225-135 of the Commercial Code, we present below our report

on the proposed issue of shares to the employees of the Company

and related companies within the meaning of Article L.225-180 of

the Commercial Code who are members of the Group Savings Plan,

as presented to shareholders for approval.

As provided for in Article L.225-129 VII of the Commercial Code,

the Board of Directors is asking shareholders for a twenty-six month

authorization, on the basis described in the Board's report, to fix

the terms and conditions of these issues in accordance with the

conditions set down in article L 443-5 of the Labor Code, and to

waive their pre-emptive right to subscribe for the securities

concerned.

SPECIAL REPORT OF THE STATUTORY AUDITORS 

ON FINANCIAL AUTHORIZATIONS
188

The maximum aggregate par value of shares issued under this

authorization is €64 million.

We reviewed the planned issues in accordance with the professional

standards applicable in France. Those standards require that we carry

out the necessary procedures to review the methods used for

determining the issue price of the securities concerned.

We have no comments to make on the proposed methods.

3. AUTHORIZATION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

TO GRANT STOCK PURCHASE OR SUBSCRIPTION OPTIONS

(14th RESOLUTION)

In our capacity as Statutory Auditors and in accordance with article

L. 225-177 of the Commercial Code and article 174-19 of the

decree of March 23, 1967, we present below our report on the

proposed grant(s) of stock purchase or subscription options to

certain employees and corporate officers as described in the

fourteenth resolution.

The Board of Directors is responsible for preparing a report relating

to the reasons for granting stock options as well as the proposed

methods to be used for setting the exercise price thereof. Our

responsibility is to express an opinion on the proposed methods

to be used to set the option exercise price.

We reviewed the planned grants in accordance with the professional

standards applicable in France. Those standards require that we carry

out the necessary procedures to ensure that the proposed methods

to be used for determining the exercise price of the options granted

are included in the Board of Directors’ report, that the said methods

comply with the applicable law and regulations, that they do not

appear manifestly inappropriate and that sufficient information is

provided to shareholders.

We have no comments to make on the proposed methods.

4. CANCELLATION OF SHARES BOUGHT BACK 

(15th RESOLUTION)

In our capacity as Statutory Auditors and in accordance with article

L. 225-209, para. 4 of the Commercial Code concerning capita

reductions through the cancellation of shares bought back, we

present below our report on the reasons and terms of the proposed

capital reduction.

We conducted our review in accordance with the professiona

standards applicable in France. Those standards require that we

review the proposed capital reduction in order to ensure whethe

the reasons and terms are fair.

This proposed capital reduction would take place further to the

buyback of the Company’s shares, representing a maximum of 10%

of the share capital, in accordance with paragraph 4 of article L. 225-

209 of the Commercial Code. The Board of Directors is seeking

an eighteen-month authorization for this buyback program at the

Ordinary General Meeting.

Shareholders are also invited to grant the Board of Directors ful

powers for a period of twenty-four months, to cancel the shares

acquired, provided the aggregate number of shares cancelled in any

given period of twenty-four months does not exceed 10% of the

Company’s capital.

We have no comment to make on the reasons or terms of the

proposed capital reduction, the implementation of which depends

on the Ordinary General Meeting approving the buy back of the

Company’s shares. 

Paris, April 11, 2003

The Statutory Auditors

PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit S.E.C.E.F.

Mike Moralee Christian Marcellin Jacques Tenette
Over the course of its development and diversification,

Saint-Gobain has consistently been at the forefront of

successive industrial revolutions. The Group’s present

configuration is the fruit of a sweeping transformation

of its business operations and structures which began

in the 1990s.

Today, Saint-Gobain operates as a manufacturer and

provider of high-technology materials and associated

services.

SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS SECTOR

HIGH-PERFORMANCE

MATERIALS SECTOR

HOUSING 

PRODUCTS SECTOR

SUSTAINABLE 

DEVELOPMENT

SAINT GOBAIN IN 2002 Sales € 30,274 millions

Net income €1,040 millions 

Number of employees 172,357
Les Miroirs

92096 La Défense Cedex

www.saint-gobain.com

Designed and produced: alliance design 04/03 - Photo credits: Saint-Gobain photo library, X.

SAINT-GOBAIN

SAINT-GOBAIN