(20/04/2004) SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC : First-Quarter 2004 Sales Up a Strong 14.1%

First-Quarter 2004 Sales Up a Strong 14.1% . Sustained organic growth of 7% . Return to growth in Western Europe and confirmation of recovery in North America . Remarkable performance from all the emerging countries . Significant contribution from acquisitions Rueil Malmaison, April 20, 2004 - First-quarter 2004 sales totaled 2,372 million euros, up a strong 14.1% on a current structural and currency basis from first quarter 2003. Recent acquisitions - MGE UPS Systems, TAC and Clipsal - made a significant contribution of 265 million euros (+12.7%) to quarterly sales. The currency effect continued to have a substantial negative impact of -116 million euros or -5.6%. On a constant structural and currency basis, sales rose a steady 7% from the year-earlier period. Growth was amplified by the comparison with a weak first quarter 2003. The favorable trend compared to the previous quarter continued, thanks to faster growth in the emerging countries and a beginning of improvement in business in Western Europe. The breakdown by Operating Division was as follows:

In million euros	Q1 2004	% Change	Changes in	Currency	% Change
	sales	(constant)	structure	effect	(current)
		Quarter			Quarter
Europe	1,191	+3.5%	-0.3%	-1.2%	+2.0%
North America	475	+5.2%	+0.3%	-14.0%	-8.5%
Asia–Pacific	362	+20.7%	+23.1%	-7.8%	+36.0%
Rest of the world (i)	145	+18.0%	+5.2%	-7.0%	+16.2%
Specialists (ii)	199	-	-	-	-
Total	2,372	+7.0%	+12.7%	-5.6%	+14.1%

(i) Africa, Middle East, South America. (ii) Building automation and Secured power businesses, formed by T.A.C and MGE UPS Systems acquisitions, these companies being consolidated since September 1st, 2003 and January 1st 2004 respectively. Specialists recorded organic growth of 6%, confirming the potential of these new growth platforms. In Europe, sales rose 3.5% from the year-earlier period thanks to improved trends in most countries. Eastern Europe again recorded exceptional growth, of 30%. Backed by solid operations, Schneider Electric is particularly well positioned to take advantage of the high level of investment in industry and infrastructure. In Western Europe, business showed signs of recovery, thanks to an upturn in the industry market and a stabilized trend in non-residential building. Virtually all countries in the region returned to growth. The increase was most noticeable in Italy, reflecting projects billed in the first quarter. In France, sales change was slightly favorable. In North America, sales growth reached 5.2% compared to the first quarter 2003, in a context of a moderate upswing in the end markets. Schneider Electric continued to benefit from its sales and marketing action plans. Business trends were good in residential and retail buildings and stable in the other markets, with stronger demand, however, from OEMs. In the Asia-Pacific region, sales continued to climb, rising 20.7% from first quarter 2003. Operations in China grew a record 40%, a remarkable performance that reflects Schneider Electric's forefront positions and high-quality lineup in a buoyant environment. Sales in India grew by 62%, in line with the Group's ambitious targets. In the Rest of the world, sales advanced by a strong 18% compared to the same quarter last year. Growth trends were very positive in all regions: Africa, Middle East and South America. ******************* ''Schneider Electric achieved strong growth in the first quarter thanks to another excellent performance in the emerging countries, a gradual recovery in the end markets of mature countries amplified by our action plans, and the contribution of our acquisitions,' commented Henri Lachmann, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. ''In light of this situation, we have revised our full-year organic sales growth estimate upwards to 4%-5%.' ******************* Half-year financial results and second quarter sales will be presented on July 29, 2004. Schneider Electric: Giving the best of the New Electric World to everyone, everywhere, at any time Schneider Electric is the world's power and control specialist. Through its world-class brands, Merlin Gerin, Square D and Telemecanique, Schneider Electric anticipates and satisfies its customers' requirements in the residential, buildings, industry and energy and infrastructure markets. With 74,300 employees, Schneider Electric generated sales of E8.8 billion in 2003 in 130 countries. Investor Relations: Schneider Electric Alexandre Brunet Phone: +33 (0)1 41 29 70 71 Fax: +33 (0)1 41 29 71 42 www.schneider-electric.com ISIN: FR0000121972 Media Contact: Schneider Electric Véronique Moine Phone: +33 (0)1 41 29 70 76 Fax: +33 (0)1 41 29 71 95 Media Contact: DGM Michel Calzaroni Olivier Labesse Phone: +33 (0)1 40 70 11 89 Fax: +33 (0)1 40 70 90 46 Appendix The breakdown of 2003 sales by Operating Division according to the new organization is as follows:

In million euros	Q1 2003	Q2 2003	Q3 2003	Q4 2003	FY 2003
Europe	1,169	1,178	1,130	1,228	4,705
North America	519	540	571	533	2,163
Asia–Pacific	266	308	340	327	1,241
International	125	131	144	158	558
Specialists	-	-	26	87	113
Total	2,079	2,157	2,211	2,333	8,780

(C) CompanynewsGroup