Rotterdam, 6 November 2003 - Hunter Douglas, the world market leader in window coverings (Luxaflex^®)and a major manufacturer of architectural products (Luxalon^®) reports results for the first nine months of 2003.

Nine Months 2003
Hunter Douglas' sales in the first nine months of 2003 were EUR 1,248.4 million, 1.9% lower than EUR 1,273.2 million in the first nine months of 2002. The sales decrease reflects 0.7% volume decrease, 10.4% negative currency impact and 9.2% contribution from acquisitions. Sales were higher in Europe, level in Australia and lower in North America, Latin America and Asia.

Europe accounted for 40% of sales, North America 48%, Latin America 3%, Asia 6% and Australia 3%. Window coverings were 89% and architectural and other products 11% of total sales.

Net profit was EUR 84.0 million, 4.0% lower than EUR 87.5 million reported in the first nine months last year. Net profit per average outstanding common share was EUR 1.99, compared with EUR 2.08 for the first nine months of 2002, adjusted for stock dividends.

The weakening of the US dollar negatively affected the translation of results by EUR 14.6 million. Excluding the currency impact, profits would have increased by 12.7%.

Capital expenditures were EUR 40 million compared with EUR 50 million in the first nine months of 2002, while depreciation was EUR 40 million.

The investment portfolio gained 12.6% in USD in the first nine months and had a Book Value per September 30, 2003 of EUR 410 million and a Market Value of EUR 456 million. Net investment income, after deduction of provisions, imputed interest, and expenses was EUR 3.6 million. Management of these assets is delegated to a widely diversified group of independent managers.

Shareholder's equity was EUR 868 million, compared with EUR 867 million at the end of 2002.

Hunter Douglas had approximately 15,800 employees at the end of September 2003.

Third quarter 2003
Third quarter sales were EUR 443.2 million, 6.6% higher than EUR 415.6 million in the same period of 2002. The sales increase reflects 3.8% higher volume, 8.7% negative currency impact and 11.5% contribution from acquisitions. Sales increased in Europe, North America and Australia, and decreased in Latin America and Asia.

Net profit in the third quarter was EUR 34.3 million, 0.3% higher than EUR 34.2 million in the third quarter of 2002. Profits increased in North America, Asia and Australia and were lower in Europe and Latin America.

The weakening of the US dollar affected results negatively by EUR 6.3 million. Profits, excluding currency impact, would have increased by 18.7%

Results by Region

Europe
Sales in Europe in the first nine months increased by 14.3% to EUR 495 million. The sales increase reflects 4.2% volume decrease, 1.6% negative currency impact and 20.1% contribution from acquisitions. Sales in the third quarter increased by 19.1% to EUR 168 million. The sales increase reflects 1.5% volume decrease, 2.1% negative currency impact and 22.7% contribution from acquisitions.

Hunter Douglas Europe's
sales were higher in the UK, Ireland, France and Spain, level in Belgium and Norway and lower in other countries. Window covering retail sales slowed while project sales are recovering.

Sales of pleated blinds and Duette shades continued to grow, while vertical and roller blinds, incorporating the new EOS® hardware systems, further gained market share, notably in Germany and France.

In the third quarter Hunter Douglas acquired Filtersun and Goeland strengthening its position and product offering in France.

Nedal, the Dutch-based aluminium extrusion operation, had slightly lower sales and higher profits.

The Vlissingen Smelter participation negatively affected results. Due to a power outage in October 2002, which resulted in technical problems, the smelter only operated at 76% of capacity.

North America
Sales in North America in the first nine months decreased by 10.4% to EUR 604 million. The sales decrease reflects a 2.4% volume increase, 17.1% negative currency impact, and 4.3% contribution from acquisitions. Sales in the third quarter increased 2.2% to EUR 227 million. The increase reflects 8.0% volume increase, 13.5% negative currency impact and 7.7% contribution from acquisitions.

Internally, the operations continued to improve with disciplined expense and cost controls, improved production efficiencies and focused asset management.

Externally, the company further improved its position in the marketplace with the expansion of the Window Fashions Gallery® display program to retail dealers. Alouette™, the new proprietary fabric louver blind, was introduced and received excellent reviews. Hunter Douglas' proprietary products continue to receive wide consumer acceptance and remain the engine of organic growth.

In July Hunter Douglas acquired Timberblinds, a Dallas, Texas based fabricator of window coverings and interior shutter products.

Latin America
Sales in Latin America in the first nine months were EUR 42 million, 27.6% lower than in the same period last year, due to volume decrease. Third quarter sales of EUR 15 million were also 16.7% lower.

Asia
Sales in Asia in the first nine months were EUR 67 million, 1.5% lower than in the comparable period last year. The sales decrease reflects 11.8% volume growth and 13.3% negative currency impact. Third quarter sales of EUR 18 million were 10% lower than last year. The sales decrease reflects 5% volume increase and 15% negative currency impact.

Australia
Sales in Australia in the first nine months were EUR 40 million, level with the same period last year. A 2.5% volume increase was offset by a negative currency impact. Third quarter sales of EUR 15 million were 7.1% higher due to volume increase.

Outlook
While economic conditions in the third quarter improved in America and stabilized in Europe, the outlook remains uncertain. Hunter Douglas is therefore not making any forecast for the full year.

On a longer term basis the Company remains optimistic, given the strong position of its products, distribution, organization and finances.

Profile
Hunter Douglas is the world market leader in window coverings and a major manufacturer of architectural products. The Company has its head office in Rotterdam, The Netherlands and a Management Office in Lucerne, Switzerland. Hunter Douglas is comprised of 156 companies; 64 manufacturing and 92 assembly operations, and marketing organizations in more than 100 countries.

The common shares of Hunter Douglas N.V. are traded on the Dutch and German Stock exchanges.

For further information:
Werner Oppliger
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Tel. +41 41 419 27 72
Fax +41 41 419 29 73
Website: www.hunterdouglasgroup.com

Consolidated Statements of Income - for the nine months and the third quarter (Annex 1+2), Balance Sheet (Annex 3), and Sales change attribution percentages by geographic region for the nine months 2003 and the third quarter (Annex 4) are attached.

Statement of Income (Annex 1)

Statement of Income (Annex 2)

Balance Sheet (Annex 3)

Percentage Sales Change Attribution (Annex 4)