Ahlstrom updates 2011 outlook for net sales and operating profit
Ahlstrom Corporation STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 18.10.2011 at 09.45
Ahlstrom Corporation's sales volume development in the second half of 2011 has been weaker than earlier anticipated due to the slowdown in its main markets. The lower than expected demand has had an adverse impact on the company's net sales and operating profit, particularly in the Label and Processing business area.
As a result, Ahlstrom updates its 2011 outlook for net sales and operating profit excluding non-recurring items from continuing operations. The company now estimates net sales to be EUR 1,565-1,645 million and operating profit excluding non-recurring items of EUR 46-56 million. Ahlstrom had previously expected net sales to be at EUR 1,580-1,740 million and operating profit excluding non-recurring items of EUR 67-87 million. Both the new and the previous guidance exclude figures from Home and Personal business area. The divestment of Home and Personal to Suominen Corporation is expected to be completed by the end of October 2011.
Ahlstrom will take firm action to address its underperforming businesses and to further streamline its cost structure to gain efficiencies in the supply chain base. More information on these actions will be announced in a separate release today.
The company will publish its interim results for January-September on October 24, 2011.
For more information, please contact:
Liisa Nyyssönen
Vice President, Communications
Tel. +358 10 888 4757
Seppo Parvi
CFO
Tel. +358 10 888 4768
Ahlstrom in brief Ahlstrom is a high performance materials company, partnering with leading businesses around the world to help them stay ahead. Our products are used in a large variety of everyday applications, such as filters, wallcovers, wipes, flooring, labels and food packaging. We have a leading market position in the businesses in which we operate. Our 5,700 employees serve customers in 26 countries on six continents. In 2010, Ahlstrom's net sales amounted to EUR 1.9 billion. The company's share is quoted on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. More information available at www.ahlstrom.com.