Interim report January-June 2008: Sales growth continued, full-year result expected to improve from last year

Ahlstrom Corporation STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 25.7.2008

 

 

 

 

 

Risto Anttonen, CEO, comments on Ahlstrom's second quarter:

 

- During April-June, Ahlstrom's operating environment continued to be challenging. The anticipated softness of demand caused by the uncertainty in the global economy started to reflect in the volumes of some of our products towards the end of the quarter. Cost inflation remained strong, with average USD price for pulp rising by approximately 20% compared with the corresponding period last year, and USD price for energy by over 40%. We are constantly implementing price increases to offset the cost effect, and their impact will be gradually visible.

 

- Net sales came in at EUR 465.9 million, growing by 6.7% from the previous year. We saw a nice progress also in comparable net sales adjusted for currency effect, acquisitions and closures, which grew by 8.1% on the second quarter, and by approximately 2.0% on the first quarter of this year.

 

- Second quarter operating profit excluding non-recurring items amounted to EUR 19.5 million, improving by 5.6% from the first quarter. Year-on-year, the impact of La Gère, low volumes in wipes as as well as the escalating raw material and energy prices decreased the operating profit excluding non-recurring items by 7.3%.

 

- We have taken actions to tackle the challenges in the release base papers and wipes in Europe, e.g. by organizing the wipes business into a separate business area, and I am confident that their performance will gradually improve. I am pleased to see that all the other business areas were performing as anticipated.

 

The anticipated signs of softness in demand began to materialize towards the end of the second quarter of 2008 as a result of the uncertainty in the global economy. This was especially visible in Ahlstrom's products, which are linked with changes in consumer spending patterns, such as wiping fabrics, filtration and nonwovens for cars, housing filtration materials, as well as glass fiber reinforcement applications for the marine industry.

 

Within the Fiber Composites segment, the overall demand for the products of the Nonwovens business area continued to be on a good level. However, a slowdown in wiping fabrics in Europe emerged, but the demand was still stable in the USA. The demand for medical and technical nonwovens remained stable in all geographical areas. In the Filtration business area, the demand in the transportation filtration market was solid in Europe, South America and Asia. In the USA, the growth of transportation filtration products was flat, and the air filtration market continued to suffer due to the weak construction market. Demand in the Glass Nonwovens business area continued at a very good level in the wind energy markets, but signs of softness of demand emerged in marine applications.

 

In the Specialty Papers segment, the demand in the Technical Papers business area was flat in most of the product lines, especially in abrasive and furniture papers. For the products of the Release & Label Papers business area, the demand was two-folded: South American label paper market grew strongly, but on the other hand, the current overcapacity of release base paper resulted in lower demand for Ahlstrom's products in Europe.

 

Raw material costs remained high during the review period. The average USD market price for BHKP pulp (Bleached Hardwood Kraft pulp, e.g. eucalyptus pulp), was on average approximately 23% higher than in the second quarter of 2007. The market price for NBSK pulp (Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft pulp) was on average approximately 16% higher than in the second quarter of 2007. Also the price for rayon, one of Ahlstrom's most important synthetic raw materials, increased significantly year-on-year, by approximately 28%. However, the price for rayon has decreased since the first quarter of 2008.

 

Energy prices increased significantly in the second quarter due to rising oil prices. Compared with the second quarter of 2007, the price of oil has risen by approximately 79%. Ahlstrom's main energy sources are natural gas and electricity.

 

 

Ahlstrom's business is reported in two segments: the Fiber Composites segment and the Specialty Papers segment. The Fiber Composites segment comprises the Nonwovens, the Glass Nonwovens and the Filtration business areas, and the Specialty Papers segment comprises the Release & Label Papers and the Technical Papers business areas.

 

Ahlstrom provides information on the breakdown of net sales per segment, per business area and per geographical area. The breakdown of operating profit is reported per segment.

 

During the April-June period, Group net sales grew by 6.7%, amounting to EUR 465.9 million (EUR 436.9 million) compared with the same period last year. Excluding the currency effect, net sales grew by 12.3%. Recent acquisitions increased the net sales by 12.0% in the second quarter, whereas closing of unprofitable units decreased the net sales by 7.9%. Comparable net sales adjusted for the currency effect, acquisitions and closures grew by 8.1% from the same period last year.

 

Sales volumes developed favorably, growing by 7.1% from the second quarter of 2007. Most of the volume growth was attributable for the acquisitions made in 2007. Comparable volume growth adjusted for acquisitions and closures was 5.1%.

 

The Fiber Composites segment accounted for 55% and the Specialty Papers segment 45% of the Group net sales.

 

The net sales of the Fiber Composites segment grew to EUR 257.0 million (EUR 235.5 million), up by 9.1% from the previous year. Comparable net sales adjusted for the currency effect, acquisitions and closures grew by 11.0% from the same period last year. Sales volumes grew by 16.2% during the review period. Within the segment, net sales grew especially strongly in the Glass Nonwovens business area as a result of strong demand in windmill applications. In the Nonwovens business area, net sales growth was mainly generated by the acquisitions made in 2007. In the Filtration business area, net sales decreased as a result of the negative currency effect.

 

The Specialty Papers segment reported net sales of EUR 209.7 million (EUR 202.7 million), up by 3.5% from the second quarter of 2007 and by 2.7% in volumes. Comparable net sales adjusted for the currency effect, acquisitions and closures grew by 4.4% from the same period last year. Within the segment, Technical Papers posted an increase of net sales mainly driven by the West Carrollton acquisition completed in the first quarter of 2008. In the Release & Label Papers business area, net sales grew slightly, mainly generated by the acquired labeling business in Brazil.

 

In terms of geographical areas, Europe still dominated Ahlstrom's net sales split, accounting for 58% of the Group total. However, growth was strongest in South America as a result of completed acquisitions and good demand of certain Ahlstrom products, such as transportation filtration materials and labels.

 

 

 

In January-June 2008, Group net sales amounted to EUR 932.2 million (EUR 853.3 million, growing by 9.2% on the corresponding period in 2007. Most of the growth was generated by acquisitions, which increased the net sales by 14.7%. The weak USD decreased the net sales by 5.4% and closing of production units by 7.4%. Comparable net sales adjusted for the currency effect, acquisitions and closures grew by 7.3% from the same period last year.

 

Volumes grew by 8.8% and comparable volumes adjusted for acquisitions and closures by 4.9%.

 

The Fiber Composites segment accounted for 55% and the Specialty Papers segment 45% of the Group net sales.

 

The net sales of the Fiber Composites segment grew to EUR 509.0 million (EUR 441.9 million), up 15.2% from the previous year. Comparable net sales adjusted for the currency effect, acquisitions and closures grew by 10.5% from the same period last year. Sales volumes grew by 24.0% during the review period mainly as a result of the acquisitions.

 

The Specialty Papers segment reported net sales of EUR 426.7 million (EUR 414.1 million), up by 3.1% on 2007. Comparable net sales adjusted for the currency effect, acquisitions and closures grew by 4.1%. In terms of sales volumes, the growth amounted to 2.8%.

 

 

 

In April-June 2008, Group operating profit excluding non-recurring items amounted to EUR 19.5 million (EUR 21.0 million), improving on the first quarter by 5.6%, but down by 7.3% from the second quarter of 2007. Operating profit amounted to EUR 19.4 million (EUR 21.0 million), decreasing by 7.6% from last year.

 

The main reasons for the year-on-year decrease were the losses of the La Gère plant, low volumes of the wipes business in Europe, as well as the escalating raw material prices. Although La Gère improved its performance from the first quarter, it was still burdening the Group result by EUR 2.7 million.

 

Ahlstrom has achieved price increases in many of its business areas.

 

The restructuring actions taken were reflected in fixed costs, which decreased by approximately 1.5 percentage units in relation to the net sales.

 

Total net financial expenses amounted to EUR 4.7 million (EUR 4.3 million). Ahlstrom's share of the losses of the associated companies was EUR 0.6 million (EUR 0.3 million).

 

Profit before taxes decreased to EUR 14.2 million (EUR 16.4 million) and excluding non-recurring items, to EUR 14.2 million (EUR 16.4 million).

 

Income tax expenses amounted to EUR 3.6 million (EUR 4.5 million). Profit for the period decreased to EUR 10.6 million (EUR 11.9 million) and earnings per share (EPS) to EUR 0.22 (EUR 0.26).

 

Return on capital employed (ROCE) amounted to 6.3% (8.0%), and excluding non-recurring items, to 6.3% (8.0%). Return on equity (ROE) was 5.8% (6.4%).

 

 

In January-June, Group operating profit amounted to EUR 38.7 million (EUR 44.4 million). Excluding non-recurring items, operating profit amounted to EUR 37.9 million (EUR 40.6 million). Profit before taxes was EUR 25.4 million (EUR 36.7 million), and EUR 24.6 million (EUR 32.9 million) excluding non-recurring items.

 

Income tax expenses amounted to EUR 7.0 million (EUR 11.4 million). Profit for the period decreased to EUR 18.4 million (EUR 25.3 million) and earnings per share (EPS) to EUR 0.37 (EUR 0.55).

 

Return on capital employed (ROCE) amounted to 6.3% (8.5%), and excluding non-recurring items, to 6.2% (7.8%). Return on equity (ROE) was 5.0% (6.7%). Net asset turnover was 1.5 (1.6).

In April-June 2008, the Fiber Composites segment posted operating profit of EUR 15.3 million (EUR 17.3 million) excluding non-recurring items. In January-June, operating profit amounted to EUR 30.3 million (EUR 30.7 million) excluding non-recurring items. The main reasons for the decrease in operating profit were the low volumes of the wipes business in Europe and the strong cost inflation coupled with the weak US dollar against the euro.

 

In April-June, the operating profit of the Specialty Papers segment improved to EUR 5.7 million (EUR 5.4 million) excluding non-recurring items. The slight improvement came as a result of the improved financial result of the Technical Papers business area. In January-June, operating profit decreased to EUR 10.9 million (EUR 14.0 million), mainly due to the losses of the La Gère plant as part of the continued overcapacity in release base papers in Europe.

*Excluding non-recurring items

In January-June 2008, net cash flow from operating activities increased to EUR 46.1 million (EUR -3.0 million).

 

Interest-bearing net liabilities increased by EUR 56.6 million to EUR 547.7 million (December 31, 2007: EUR 491.1 million). Gearing ratio was 76.0% (December 31, 2007: 65.3%) and the equity ratio 41.6% (December 31, 2007: 44.0%).

 

 

 

Ahlstrom's strategy is to grow both organically and by acquisitions. Growth investments are targeted to expand Ahlstrom's business to fast growing markets and to serve customers globally. The investments are expected to generate net sales amounting to 1.5 times the investment value in three to five years and reach a return of capital employed of at least 13%.

 

In January-June 2008, Ahlstrom's capital expenditure excluding acquisitions amounted to EUR 54.1 million (EUR 65.8 million).

 

In 2008, Ahlstrom's organic investments are expected to be approximately EUR 100 million including the following, previously announced major investments: food nonwovens production line to Chirnside, the UK, wiping fabrics line in Paulinia, Brazil, and partly the new medical nonwovens plant to be built in Gujarat, India.

 

Ahlstrom made no acquisitions during April-June 2008.

On February 1, 2008 Ahlstrom announced that it had signed an agreement to acquire Friend Group Inc., which consists of West Carrollton Parchment Company and West Carrollton Converting Company. The deal was closed on February 13, 2008, and the acquisition price was EUR 9.8 million.

Negotiations with Zhejiang KAN Specialty Material Co and its management to form a joint venture for the production of specialty paper in China were terminated on May 2, 2008. The deal was originally expected to be closed during the fourth quarter of 2007.

Ahlstrom made no new organic investment decisions during the second quarter of 2008. Update on the status of previously announced major organic investments is provided below.

 

 

The building of Ahlstrom's two new dust filtration production lines, one in Wuxi, China and one in Bethune, South Carolina, the USA, have proceeded as planned. The Wuxi line started operations during the second quarter of this year and the Bethune line is expected to start production during the third quarter of 2008.

 

The new glassfiber tissue production plant established in 2007 in Tver, Russia, was inaugurated in June 2008, and will be ramping up for production during 2008. The plant will primarily serve Russian building and composites materials industries, and will strengthen Ahlstrom's position as a leading developer and manufacturer of specialty glassfiber tissues.

 

The building of Ahlstrom's new food nonwovens production line in Chirnside, the UK, has proceeded on schedule, and production is estimated to start during the fourth quarter of 2008. The new line utilizing spunmelt technology will primarily serve the growing infusion products market with next generation products used e.g. in teabags.

 

In Paulinia, Brazil, Ahlstrom is building a nonwoven wiping fabrics production line to start production during the fourth quarter of 2008. The investment consists of a building and machinery. The new production line will utilize spunlace technology and its main customers operate within the household and industrial wipes sectors in Latin America.

 

Ahlstrom is establishing a new medical nonwovens plant in Gujarat, India, with operations estimated to start in the first quarter of 2010. The new plant will manufacture a full range of spunmelt fabrics with a main focus on the medical fabrics market and the site also enables future expansions of Ahlstrom's business in India. The facility will be located in the Mundra Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

 

Ahlstrom announced on June 24, 2008 that it will change its Business Area organization as from July 1 to reflect the strong growth of its Nonwovens business.

 

The new structure will be implemented in Ahlstrom's financial reporting starting from the third quarter of this year. The former Nonwovens Business Area will be divided into two parts, Home & Personal Nonwovens Business Area, covering mainly the Wipes business, and Advanced Nonwovens Business Area, incorporating the Food, Medical and Industrial Nonwovens businesses.

 

Changes in the Corporate Executive Team have been made accordingly. Jean-Marie Becker, born 1957, B.Sc. (Tech.), was appointed Senior Vice President, Home & Personal Nonwovens and member of the Corporate Executive Team. Senior Vice President Claudio Ermondi, who previously led the Nonwovens Business Area, took the responsibility for the Advanced Nonwovens Business Area and continues as member of the Corporate Executive Team.

 

 

At the end of June 2008, Ahlstrom had 6,568 employees (6,325). The average number of employees during January-June was 6,538 (5,794).

 

The principal uncertainties that affect Ahlstrom's net sales and financial performance in the short-term are related to:

 

- General economic conditions and changes in the demand for end-user products

- Increases in raw material prices (e.g. pulp, chemicals and synthetic fibers)

- Increases in energy prices

- Fluctuations in foreign currency rates

 

These factors are described in more detail in Ahlstrom's Annual report 2007, on pages 20-23.

 

During January-June 2008, a total of 3.8 million Ahlstrom shares were traded for a total of EUR 64 million. The lowest trading price during the review period was EUR 13.80 and the highest EUR 18.78. The closing price on June 30, 2008 was EUR 14.35 and market capitalization was EUR 670 million.

 

Equity per share of Ahlstrom Group was EUR 14.63 at the end of the review period (December 31, 2007: EUR 15.35).

 

At the end of the review period, there were no outstanding options entitling to subscription of Ahlstrom shares. The share capital at the end of the review period amounted to EUR 70,005,912.00. The total number of shares on June 30, 2008 was 46,670,608.

 

Ahlstrom Corporation's Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGM) was held on April 2, 2008. The key resolutions of the AGM are summarized below.

 

The AGM resolved to distribute a dividend of EUR 1.00 per share for the fiscal year that ended on December 31, 2007 in accordance with the proposal of the Board of Directors. The AGM approved the financial statements and consolidated financial statements and discharged the members of the Board of Directors and the CEO from liability for the financial period January 1-December 31, 2007.

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers Oy (PwC) was elected as Ahlstrom's auditor as recommended by the Audit Committee. PricewaterhouseCoopers Oy (PwC) has designated Authorized Public Accountant Eero Suomela as auditor in charge.

The AGM confirmed the number of Board members unchanged at seven. Thomas Ahlström, Sebastian Bondestam, Jan Inborr, Bertel Paulig, Peter Seligson and Willem F. Zetteler were re-elected as members of the Board of Directors and Martin Nüchtern was elected as a new member as proposed by the Compensation and Nomination Committee of the Board. The term of the Board of Directors will expire at the close of the next Annual General Meeting.

 

The AGM authorized the Board of Directors to repurchase Ahlstrom shares as proposed by the Board of Directors, taking into account the limitations set forth in the Companies' Act. The maximum number of shares to be repurchased is 4,500,000, corresponding to less than 10% of all issued Company shares. The authorization is valid for 18 months from the close of the Annual General Meeting but will, however, expire at the close of the next Annual General Meeting, at the latest. The shares may be repurchased only through public trading at the prevailing market price by using unrestricted shareholders' equity.

 

The AGM authorized the Board of Directors to resolve to distribute a maximum of 4,500,000 own shares held by the Company as proposed by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is authorized to decide to whom and in which order the shares will be distributed. The Board of Directors may decide on the distribution of its own shares otherwise than in proportion to the existing pre-emptive right of shareholders to purchase the Company's own shares. The shares may be used as consideration in acquisitions and in other arrangements as well as to implement the Company's share-based incentive plans in the manner and to the extent decided by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has also the right to decide on the distribution of the shares in public trading for the purpose of financing possible acquisitions. The authorization is valid for 18 months from the close of the Annual General Meeting but will, however, expire at the close of the next Annual General Meeting, at the latest.

 

After the AGM, the organization meeting of the Board of Directors elected Peter Seligson as Chairman and Bertel Paulig as Vice Chairman of the Board. The Board of Directors also appointed the members of the permanent committees. The members of the Audit Committee are Bertel Paulig (Chairman), Thomas Ahlström and Willem F. Zetteler. The members of the Compensation and Nomination Committee are Peter Seligson (Chairman), Jan Inborr and Sebastian Bondestam.

 

 

The uncertainty of the global economy has started to reflect in the demand for some of Ahlstrom's products. Signs of softness of demand are visible especially in products related with changes in consumer spending patterns, such as wiping fabrics, filtration and nonwovens for cars, housing filtration materials, as well as glass fiber reinforcement applications for the marine industry.

 

Prices for Ahlstrom's main raw materials, especially pulp, are expected to stay at high level during 2008. High oil prices are expected to keep energy and synthetic fiber costs high. For chemicals, there is a strong price pressure following the high oil price. On the other hand, the slowdown of the Chinese textile industry has started to decrease the price of rayon.

 

For the reasons stated above, as well as for the continuing overcapacity of release base papers and wipes in Europe, Ahlstrom revises its outlook for 2008 as follows.

 

Full-year net sales are estimated to grow from that of 2007 as a result of the completed acquisitions and the ongoing investment projects especially in BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China), and despite the closing of four production units in Europe and North America.

 

As a result of the continuing volume growth and the positive impact of the restructuring actions taken, Ahlstrom still anticipates the operating profit to improve from last year, but is now expecting a milder improvement than earlier stated. Operating profit for the second half of this year is still expected to be clearly better than in the second half of 2007.

 

 

This interim report has been prepared in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The report is unaudited.

 

Comparable figures refer to the same period last year unless otherwise stated.

 

 

Helsinki, July 25, 2008

 

Ahlstrom Corporation
Board of Directors

 

Risto Anttonen, CEO, tel. +358 (0)10 888 4166, at 14.00-15.00 Finnish time

Jari Mäntylä, CFO, tel. +358 (0)10 888 4768

 

A news conference for media and analysts will be held on Friday, July 25, 2008 at 10.00 Finnish time at Ahlstrom's Head Office, address Salmisaarenaukio 1, 00101 Helsinki. The conference will be held in Finnish. Welcome.

 

A conference call for analysts and investors will be held in English at 13.00 Finnish time. To participate in the teleconference, please dial +358 (0)9 2313 9202 a few minutes before the call. Use the title of the conference call: Ahlstrom conference call. A replay number is available until August 1, 2008. The number for the replay is +358 (0)9 231 446 81, access code: 803525.

 

The presentation material will be available on July 25, 2008 after the interim report has been published, at www.ahlstrom.com > Investors > IR presentations.

 

 

This report contains certain forward-looking statements that reflect the present views of the company's management. Due to the nature of these statements, they contain uncertainties and risks and are subject to changes in the general economic situation and in the company's business.

 

 

Distribution:

OMX Nordic Exchange Helsinki

www.ahlstrom.com

Main media

 

Ahlstrom is a global leader in the development, manufacture and marketing of high performance fiber-based materials. Ahlstrom's materials are used in a large variety of everyday products, such as filters, food packaging, wipes, flooring, furniture, labels and tapes. Ahlstrom's 6,500 employees serve customers via sales offices and production facilities in more than 20 countries on six continents. In 2007, Ahlstrom's net sales amounted to EUR 1.8 billion. Ahlstrom's share is listed on the OMX Nordic Exchange Helsinki. The company website is at www.ahlstrom.com.

Financial statements

 

 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

This report has been prepared in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and the accounting policies set out in IAS 34 (Interim Financial reporting) as adopted by EU and in the Group's Financial Statements for 2007.

 

Application of amended or new IFRS-standards as of January 1, 2008

 

The Group has adopted the following new interpretation as of January 1, 2008:

 

- IFRIC 11: IFRS 2 - Group and Treasury Share Transactions

- IFRIC 12 Service Concession Arrangements (not yet approved by EU)

- IFRIC 14 IAS 19 - The Limit on a Defined Benefit Asset, Minimum Funding Requirements and their interaction (not yet approved by EU)

 

 

Financial Statements are unaudited.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*) Includes EUR -20.8 million payment to the pension fund to cover approximately half of the historical deficit of the defined benefit pension plan in the United Kingdom in Q1 2007.                

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In February, Ahlstrom acquired the Friend Group Inc., which consists of West Carrollton Parchment Company and West Carrollton Converting Company. The Friend Group has two sites in West Carrollton serving mainly the food packaging market in the USA. West Carrollton is a producer of vegetable parchment and has parchmentizing        and converting operations located in West Carrollton, Ohio, the USA.

 

Ahlstrom West Carrollton has been incorporated in Ahlstrom's accounts as part of Specialty Papers segment since February 1, 2008. Management estimates that if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2008, Ahlstrom Group's net sales and profit for the period would not have changed materially.

 

The acquisition price includes professional fees amounting to EUR 0.1 million. The goodwill that arose from the acquisition of the shares of the Friend Group Inc. reflects the synergy benefits resulting from the expanded product offering to the Technical Papers' vegetable parchment business and provides synergies to our existing business as well as growth opportunities. The business combination and purchase price allocations were accounted for as preliminary.

 

The acquisition had the following effect on the Group's assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

In addition, Ahlstrom has acquired the shares from the minority shareholders of two sales companies amounting to EUR 1.4 million.