Pulp producer Södra has reported strong results for the first eight months of 2015 due to “high price levels for finished goods” and “mainly favourable” currency conditions.
Operating profit rose to SEK 1,660m compared to SEK 1,012m for the same period a year ago, while sales increased to SEK 12,186m (compared to SEK 11,429m).
EBITDA for the period was SEK 2, 292m (compared with SEK 1,656m).
Chief executive Lars Idermark said: “Södra is performing well. A healthy second four-month period has finished with a historically strong overall result for the group for the period through August.
“This is largely due to high price levels for finished goods and mainly to a favourable currency situation – but also because Södra is becoming an increasingly efficient, innovative and value-generating group.”
Idermark added the group’s business areas continue to deliver “a very strong performance”.
“Stable and efficient production at the mills, while we are investing SEK five billion to increase production, is impressive.
Södra Group appoints Jörgen Lindquist as CFO
Södra Group has also announced the appointment of Jörgen Lindquist as chief financial officer.
He assumed the position on 14 September, when he also became a member of the group’s senior management and now reports to president and Idermark.
Lindquist joins Södra from IKEA where he has spent the past five years working as chief financial officer and acting vice president of the company’s industry division Swedspan International.
Prior to this role, he was responsible for IKEA’s project to establish new furniture manufacturing facilities in the U.S.
He has also served as chief financial officer and vice president of the Axis Group and held various senior financial positions in the chemical and packaging industries.
Lindquist succeeds Carina Olson who previously announced her decision to leave Södra to pursue new challenges.
