HELSINKI, Finland, April 3, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- At Metso Corporation's Annual General Meeting being held at 2 p.m. today, President and CEO Jorma Eloranta estimates in his review that Metso's profitable growth will continue also in 2007. The good order intake in the first quarter supports the positive development for full year.
"As we noted in February, in connection with the publication of our Financial Statements, Metso's net sales in 2007 are estimated to grow by more than 20 percent on 2006, and the operating profit is estimated to clearly improve. We also repeat our estimate regarding the 2007 operating profit margin: It is estimated that the operating profit margin will be slightly below Metso's 10 percent target. Metso's order backlog has further strengthened from the year-end, which supports our favorable full-year estimate."
However, Eloranta reminds that in businesses like Metso's the net sales and operating profit can vary significantly between quarters: "We estimate that this year the first quarter will be the weakest, and the net sales and operating profit for the last three quarters of the year will clearly improve from the first quarter. This is mainly due to the timing and mix of deliveries and normal seasonal variation," Eloranta says.
To further strengthen profitable growth, Metso targets to exploit the favorable market situation by, for example, strengthening its global presence close to the customers. It will also improve its supply chain management globally. De-bottlenecking investments target improved delivery capability and customer service.
According to Eloranta, continuous improvement of productivity and operational quality are key matters for profitability development. Additionally, Metso is developing its business processes and supporting information systems.
"Growth will also require business renewal. We see great potential in, for example, environmental and service business development," Eloranta says. Metso will also consider corporate acquisitions that complement its current product and service offering or strengthen its geographical presence.
Metso is a global engineering and technology corporation with 2006 net sales of approximately EUR 5 billion. Its 25,500 employees in more than 50 countries serve customers in the pulp and paper industry, rock and minerals processing, the energy industry and selected other industries.
It should be noted that certain statements herein which are not historical facts, including, without limitation, those regarding expectations for general economic development and the market situation, expectations for customer industry profitability and investment willingness, expectations for company growth, development and profitability and the realization of synergy benefits and cost savings, and statements preceded by "expects", "estimates", "forecasts" or similar expressions, are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current decisions and plans and currently known factors. They involve risks and uncertainties which may cause the actual results to materially differ from the results currently expected by the company.
Such factors include, but are not limited to:
(1) general economic conditions, including fluctuations in exchange
rates and interest levels which influence the operating environment
and profitability of customers and thereby the orders received by
the company and their margins;
(2) the competitive situation, especially significant technological
solutions developed by competitors;
(3) the company's own operating conditions, such as the success of
production, product development and project management and their
continuous development and improvement;
(4) the success of pending and future acquisitions and restructuring.