Munksjö Oyj's Interim Report for January-June 2014 - Positive profitability trend continued

Helsinki, Finland, 2014-07-23 12:55 CEST (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
MUNKSJÖ OYJ, INTERIM REPORT, 23 JULY AT 12:55 PM CEST

Munksjö Oyj's Interim Report for January-June 2014 - Positive profitability
trend continued

Highlights of the second quarter 2014

- Net sales were EUR 292.5 (208.0) million. The substantial increase in net
sales was primarily due to the business combination between Munksjö AB and
Ahlstrom Corporation's business area Label and Processing completed in 2013.

- Adjusted EBITDA was EUR 26.0 (16.5) million and the adjusted EBITDA margin
was 8.9% (7.9%).

- Operating result adjusted for non-recurring items was EUR 13.4 (8.3) million.
Non-recurring items amounted to EUR -0.6 (-27.6) million.

- Operating result was EUR 12.8 (-19.3) million and net result EUR 4.1 (-22.0)
million.

Highlights of January-June 2014

- Net sales were EUR 580.4 (362.5) million. The substantial increase in net
sales was primarily due to the business combination between Munksjö AB and
Ahlstrom Corporation's business area Label and Processing completed in 2013.

- Adjusted EBITDA was EUR 53.4 (28.0) million and the adjusted EBITDA margin
was 9.2% (7.7%).

- Operating result adjusted for non-recurring items was EUR 27.1 (13.3)
million. Non-recurring items amounted to EUR -1.6 (-30.6) million.

- Operating result was EUR 25.5 (-17.3) million and net result EUR 8.4 (-23.9)
million.

- Earnings per share (EPS) were EUR 0.16 (-1.38).

- Interest-bearing net debt at the end of the reporting period was EUR 241.5
million (30 June 2014: 268.2; 31 Dec 2013: 229.3), equivalent to a gearing of
56.5% (30 June 2013: 68.9%; 31 Dec 2013: 54.1%).

- Operating cash flow was EUR 8.3 (5.2) million.

KEY FIGURES (MEUR) Apr-Jun Jan-Jun Jan-Dec
2014 2013 2014 2013 2013
Net sales 292.5 208.0 580.4 362.5 863.3
EBITDA (adj.*) 26.0 16.5 53.4 28.0 55.0
EBITDA margin, % (adj.*) 8.9 7.9 9.2 7.7 6.4
EBITDA 25.4 -11.1 51.8 -2.6 5.9
EBITDA margin, % 8.7 -5.3 8.9 -0.7 0.7
Operating result (adj.*) 13.4 8.3 27.1 13.3 15.7
Operating margin, % (adj.*) 4.6 4.0 4.7 3.7 1.8
Operating result 12.8 -19.3 25.5 -17.3 -33.4
Operating margin, % 4.4 -9.3 4.4 -4.8 -3.9
Net result 4.1 -22.0 8.4 -23.9 -57.4
Earnings per share (EPS), EUR 0.07 -0.98 0.16 -1.38 -1.97
Interest-bearing net debt** 241.5 268.2 241.5 268.2 229.3
* Adjusted for non-recurring items
** Restated to reflect the adoption of IFRS 11 as explained in the notes to the
interim report

Unless otherwise indicated, the figures in parentheses refer to the figures for
the equivalent period in 2013. This interim report is unaudited. It is
published in Swedish, Finnish and English. In case of any discrepancies between
the three versions, the Swedish text shall prevail.

Comment from Munksjö's President and CEO, Jan Åström

"The efforts to achieve the synergy benefits related to the business
combination of Munksjö AB and Ahlstrom Corporation's speciality paper division
have now reached the final stage. Of the expected annual synergy benefits of
EUR 20 to 25 million, we have at the end of the second quarter achieved an
annual run-rate of approximately EUR 23 million. As further synergies are
expected during the second half of 2014, the total benefits will reach around
EUR 25 million by the end of the year. As a result, it will be possible to
disband the project team responsible for monitoring the integration efforts and
synergy benefits already at the end of the current year after a successful
completion of the task. I am extremely pleased and proud to note that the
mission has been accomplished ahead of schedule and that we have achieved
results that meet our expectations.

From a business point of view, the quarter was characterised by stable prices
and a solid order intake. I would like to highlight two business areas.
Firstly, Graphics and Packaging continued to improve its margins.. The results
are consistent with our plans, and an agreement has been reached with the trade
unions on personnel reductions. The full impact of these measures will be
realised in the fourth quarter. Graphics and Packaging's objective for the
second half of the year is to achieve an EBITDA margin exceeding five per cent
during months when there are no scheduled maintenance shutdowns. Secondly,
Industrial Applications continued to improve its profitability for another
quarter.

In the first six months of 2014, cash flow has been affected by approximately
EUR 14 million of prior provisions and non-recurring costs. We have also
increased our working capital, primarily inventories, to ensure the service
level during scheduled vacation shutdowns. As a result of that we expect a
clear improvement of cash flow in the second half of the year.

I wish to commend all the employees who continue to deliver results that meet
or exceed the ambitious goals we have set for the company!"

Outlook

The demand for Munksjö's products is expected to remain stable during the third
quarter of 2014, after relatively strong first six months. Prices in local
currency are expected to remain at the same level as in the second quarter. An
improvement of cash flow is expected in the second half of the year.

The annual synergy benefits related to the combination are expected to reach
the upper level of the previously communicated target level of EUR 20-25
million. Further initiatives have started and are planned in order to reach the
financial goal of 12 per cent EBITDA margin over a business cycle.

The annual vacation shutdowns, during which planned maintenance operations are
scheduled, are expected to be carried out to the same extent as in 2013, with
the exception of the business area Graphics and Packaging. The shutdowns in
this business area's two production facilities will be extended by
approximately one week due to paper machine upgrades.

Forming a global leader in specialty paper - combining Munksjö AB with Ahlstrom
Corporation's business area Label and Processing

Munksjö Oyj was formed when the Swedish company Munksjö AB and the business
area Label and Processing of the Finnish company Ahlstrom Corporation were
combined. The company consists of four business areas: Decor, Release Liners,
Industrial Applications and Graphics and Packaging. The business areas are also
the reporting segments.

In addition to the financial result for the reporting period, the report
contains pro forma financial information of the business combination. As the
combination was completed during 2013, pro forma information is only prepared
up until the fourth quarter 2013. This information is presented for
illustrative purposes only. Further information on how the pro forma
information was compiled is available in the Financial Statements Bulletin,
published on 13 February 2014.

Synergy benefits and integration

The annual synergy benefits arising from the business combination are estimated
to be at the upper end of the previously communicated target level of EUR 20-25
million. The result for the second quarter of 2014 includes realised synergies
of approximately EUR 5.5 million. At the end of the second quarter the annual
synergy benefits run-rate was approximately EUR 23 million.

The synergies have been achieved primarily within procurement and improved
efficiency within the organisation. The remaining synergies are expected mainly
in the business area Graphics and Packaging.

Non-recurring items to achieve the synergy benefits are still estimated at EUR
10-15 million. In addition to the EUR 11 million recorded in the result of
2013, costs of EUR 0.5 million were recorded during the first quarter of 2014.
No synergy related non-recurring items were recorded during the second quarter
of 2014. The cash flow effect was EUR 4.0 million in 2013, EUR 1.5 million in
the first quarter and EUR 1.0 million in the second quarter of 2014.

The Munksjö Group

Apr-Jun Jan-Jun Jan-Dec ACQUIRED 27 27
OPERATI May-J May-De
ONS un c
MEUR 2014 2013 2014 2013 2013 MEUR 2013 2013
Reported Reported
1) 1)
Net 292.5 208.0 580.4 362.5 863.3 Net 46.9 257.0
sales sales
EBITDA 26.0 16.5 53.4 28.0 55.0 EBITDA 2.3 6.9
(adj.*) (adj.*)
EBITDA 8.9 7.9 9.2 7.7 6.4 EBITDA 4.9 2.7
margin, margin,
% %
(adj.*) (adj.*)
EBITDA 25.4 -11.1 51.8 -2.6 5.9 EBITDA 0.1 -3.5
EBITDA, 8.7 -5.3 8.9 -0.7 0.7 EBITDA, 0.2 -1.4
margin margin
% %
Operatin 13.4 8.3 27.1 13.3 15.7 Operatin 0.6 -4.9
g result g result
(adj.*) (adj.*)
Operatin 4.6 4.0 4.7 3.7 1.8 Operatin 1.3 -1.9
g g
margin, margin,
% %
(adj.*) (adj.*)
Operatin 12.8 -19.3 25.5 -17.3 -33.4 Operatin -1.5 -15.3
g result g result
Operatin 4.4 -9.3 4.4 -4.8 -3.9 Operatin -3.2 -6.0
g g
margin, margin,
% %
Net 4.1 -22.0 8.4 -23.9 -57.4 Delivery 41,000 223,400
result volumes
, tonnes
Capital 8.6 4.6 14.1 6.8 22.6
expendi
ture
Employee 2,770 1,970 2,770 1,814 2,216
s, FTE
Pro forma 2)
Net 292.5 299.6 580.4 590.0 1,120.3
sales
EBITDA** 26.0 16.3 53.4 35.2 64.1
(adj.*)
EBITDA** 8.9 5.4 9.2 6.0 5.7
margin,
%
(adj.*)
EBITDA** 25.4 13.3 51.8 31.5 42.3
EBITDA** 8.7 4.4 8.9 5.3 3.8
, margin
%
Delivery 228,400 231,100 454,000 458,100 885,300
volumes
, tonnes

* Adjusted for non-recurring items
** Includes stand-alone cost savings and synergies obtained after 27 May 2013
1) Includes LP Europe from 27 May 2013 and Coated Specialties from 2 December
2013
2) Includes LP Europe and Coated Specialties from 1 January 2012. As the
combination was completed during 2013, the pro forma information is only
consolidated until the fourth quarter 2013. From the first quarter 2014 the
reported figure is used.

Reported

Second quarter 2014

Net sales were EUR 292.5 (208.0) million. The substantial improvement in net
sales was primarily due to the business combination completed in 2013.

EBITDA adjusted for non-recurring items increased to EUR 26.0 (16.5) million
andthe adjusted EBITDA margin was 8.9% (7.9%).

Operating result adjusted for non-recurring items was EUR 13.4 (8.3) million
and the adjusted operating margin 4.5% (4.0%). Non-recurring items amounted to
EUR -0.6 (-27.6) million and were costs for the work in connection with the
Statement of Objections from the European Commission.

The operating result was EUR 12.8 (-19.3) million and net result EUR 4.1
(-22.0) million.

January-June 2014

Net sales were EUR 580.4 (362.5) million. The substantial improvement in net
sales was primarily due to the business combination completed in 2013.

EBITDA adjusted for non-recurring items increased to EUR 53.4 (28.0) million
andthe adjusted EBITDA margin was 9.2% (7.7%).

Operating result adjusted for non-recurring items was EUR 27.1 (13.3) million
and the adjusted operating margin 4.7% (3.7%). Non-recurring items amounted to
EUR -1.6 (-30.6) million. Of these costs, EUR 1.1 million were related to the
work in connection with the Statement of Objections by the European Commission
and EUR 0.5 million to the efforts to achieve synergy benefits.

The operating result was EUR 25.5 (-17.3) million and net result EUR 8.4
(-23.9) million.

Reported figures compared to pro forma figures

Second quarter 2014

Net sales were EUR 292.5 (299.6) million.

EBITDA increased to EUR 26.0 (16.3) million and the adjusted EBITDA margin was
8.9% (5.4%).

January-June 2014

Net sales were EUR 580.4 (590.0) million.

EBITDA adjusted for non-recurring items increased to EUR 53.4 (35.2) million
while the adjusted EBITDA margin was 9.2% (6.0%). The result for the first
quarter of 2013 included a non-recurring item with a positive impact of around
EUR 3 million which was due to the release of certain accruals related to
personnel liabilities.

Webcast and conference call

A combined news conference, conference call and live webcast for investors,
analysts and media will be arranged on the publishing day 23 July 2014 at 3:00
pm CEST (4:00 pm EEST, 2:00 pm UK time) at the corporate head office in
Stockholm (Klarabergsviadukten 70, elevator D, 5th floor). The report will be
presented by President and CEO Jan Åström. The event will be held in English.

The conference call and live webcast can be followed on the Internet and an
on-demand version of the webcast will be available on the same webpage later
the same day. To join the conference call, participants are requested to dial
one of the numbers above 5-10 minutes prior to the start of the event.

Webcast and conference call information

Finnish callers: +358 (0)9 2313 9201
Swedish callers: +46 (0)8 5052 0110
US callers: +1 334 323 6201
UK callers: +44 (0)20 7162 0077
Conference ID: 945742
Link to the webcast: http://qsb.webcast.fi/m/munksjo/munksjo_2014_0723_q2/

For further information, please contact

Jan Åström, President and CEO, Tel. +46 10 250 1001
Kim Henriksson, CFO, Tel. +46 10 250 1015

Munksjö - Materials for innovative product design

The Munksjö Group is an international specialty paper company with a unique
product offering for a large number of industrial applications and
consumer-driven products. Founded in 1862, Munksjö is among the leading
producers in the world of high-value added papers within attractive market
segments such as Decor paper, Release Liners, Electrotechnical paper, Abrasive
backings and Interleaving paper for steel. Given Munksjö's global presence and
way of integrating with its customers' operations, the company forms a global
service organisation with approximately 3,000 employees. Production facilities
are located in France, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Spain, Brazil and China. Munksjö
Oyj is listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. Read more at www.munksjo.com.

Attachments:Munksjö Oyj_Interim Report January_June 2014.pdf