The JSC Liepājas Metalurgs (LM) preliminary estimations show that the previous year net turnover (net revenue) could reach LVL 221.5 million (EUR 315.2 million), and the profit could exceed LVL 15 million (EUR 21.5 million). The increase in profit and turnover compared to the year 2006, is mainly related to the level of steel prices in the world markets. In part, a good profit performance could be explained by the effective production management and modernization investments. A significant improvement in the financial results is attributed to the fact that LM focused its sales directly to the end-users, bypassing services of the large wholesale traders. Most of the product delivered in the year 2007 was sold to the end-users. Working with the end-users caused a necessity to increase the planning and organizational activities in the area of sales and delivery. The preparation of the new warehouse facilities already started last year - the Company will continue the development of these facilities. The year 2008 is expected to bring an increase in the energy tariffs, which could take LVL 10 million in the Company's budget in order to offset the pricing difference. An upward trend is also expected in the raw materials pricing. The salaries and wages at LM are not planned to be increased in the first half of the year.