RAMIRENT PLC         STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE   8.1.2008                          





RAMIRENT ENTERS SLOVAKIA                                                        



Ramirent has acquired a majority stake in the Slovak-based company OTS          

Bratislava, spol.sr.o. (OTS), a leading provider of rental equipment services   

for Slovak construction companies. This is an important strategic step for      

Ramirent, offering unique opportunities for profitable growth in the new market.

The company employs 135 people and is expected to generate sales of over EUR 10 

million in 2008.                                                                



Founded in 1973, OTS has grown to become the leading provider of rental         

equipment services for Slovak construction companies operating in domestic      

market or abroad. Ramirent has acquired 60% of the shares of the company with an

option to increase its holding to 100% after 2010. The company management will  

continue with the company.                                                      



OTS main activities include rent, repair and sale of construction equipment.    

Headquartered in Bratislava, the company operates through a network of 40 depots

throughout the country (half of the depots are franchised). The acquisition is  

in line with the Ramirent's strategy to grow in Central and Eastern Europe and  

brings great benefits to the Group including a market leading position in       

Slovakia with a committed management team and access to skilled personnel. The  

Slovak rental market is still at an early stage of its development and OTS      

nationwide network provides a very good platform for developing further the     

rental market in Slovakia.                                                      



"We are very happy to cover yet one white spot for us in Central Europe. A fast 

growing economy, political stability and a competitive workforce make Slovakia  

one of the most attractive economies in Europe,” says Tomasz Walawender, Vice   

President, Ramirent Central Europe. “We welcome OTS with great enthusiasm into  

the Ramirent Group. It has been positioned as the market leader in Slovakia for 

several years and there is no other company in Slovakia with a similar wide     

range of products and geographical spread. Adding Ramirent products to the range

will enhance the offering further. Operationally the acquisition also presents  

opportunities for synergies between OTS and Ramirent companies in the           

neighbouring countries, especially Czech Republic where there is no language    

barrier.”                                                                       



Construction activity is at a high level in Slovakia backed by the fast growing 

economy. Ramirent estimates the Slovak rental market to grow at a double digit  

growth rate for the next 5-10 years reflecting the demand for improved          

infrastructure, new houses and dwellings.                                       



An international teleconference will be arranged today on 8 January 2008 at 4.00

p.m. Finnish time (2.00 p.m. London time). The dial-in number is +44-(0)20 7162 

0025. Please call in at 3.50 p.m. Presentation material will be available at    

www.ramirent.com. A replay of the teleconference will be available for the next 

48 hours at +44-(0)20 7031 4064, code 780113. An audio recording of Mr Kallio's 

presentation at the teleconference will be available on the Internet later on 8 

January. The conferences are hosted by Ramirent's CEO & President Kari Kallio,  

CFO Heli Iisakka and Communications Director Franciska Janzon.                  



Further information can be obtained from:                                       



Kari Kallio, President and CEO, phone +358 40 716 1832                          

Heli Iisakka, CFO, phone                                                        

+358 20 750 3248                                                                



Ramirent is the leading machinery rental company in the Nordic countries, and in

Central and Eastern Europe. The Group employs over 3,500 people at 340 permanent

depots in 13 countries. In 2006 the consolidated net sales were 498 million.    

Ramirent is listed on the OMX Nordic Exchange Helsinki.                         





DISTRIBUTION                                                                    



OMX Nordic Exchange Helsinki                                                    

Main news media                                                                 

www.ramirent.com

ots rr080108 – presentation matearial pdf.pdf

ser – ramirent enters slovakia pdf.pdf