WULFF-GROUP PLC STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 5 FEBRUARY 2009, 3:00 P.M.
REVISIONS TO THE ORGANISATION OF WULFF-GROUP PLC
The Board of Directors of Wulff-Group Plc has today confirmed the Group's
revised strategy and organisational change. The goal is to refine the operating
models in order to provide better service to customers and to adjust the
corporate structure in line with the revised strategy.
The Group will move from a structure with five business areas to one with two
business divisions. The new divisions are called Contract Customers and Direct
Sales. The new business structure will be adopted on 5 February 2009.
Wulff-Group's goal is to help corporate customers to succeed in their own
business by providing them with innovative products and services in a way that
suits them best.
Heikki Vienola, CEO: “We are the market leader in Finland and have a clear
vision of becoming the fastest growing and most profitable top-ranking office
supplies company in the Nordic market. Wulff's revised strategy and new business
structure offer tools to help us achieve our growth targets, as well as better
opportunities to benefit from our competitive advantage and synergies. Through
these changes, we aim to create a good basis for solid, customer-oriented
operations in both business divisions. The companies that succeed in challenging
markets are those that dare to renew themselves and innovate. I strongly believe
that tomorrow's success is based on decisions made today.”
CONTRACT CUSTOMERS DIVISION
The vision of the Contract Customers division is to be the market leader in
Finnish business contract sales of office supplies, business and promotional
gifts, as well as fair and event marketing services. The mission of the Contract
Customers division is to be most sought-after partner in the business and to
offer customers comprehensive solutions for enhancing offices and promoting
sales.
The division comprises Wulff Oy Ab, KB-tuote Oy, Ibero Liikelahjat Oy and Entre
Marketing Oy. The division will be headed by Jani Puroranta, MSc (Econ.), MBA,
who previously worked as Chief Business Development Officer of Wulff-Group.
Puroranta believes that the new strategy will make the benefits of the two
service models more concrete to customers. “By selecting both the common and the
complementary strengths from Wulff's contract sales of office supplies, KB's and
Ibero's business gift services and Entre's fair and event marketing services, we
can offer customers by far the strongest and most comprehensive service in the
business. Our cost-effective and comprehensive services give customers the
opportunity to focus on their own business.”
DIRECT SALES DIVISION
The vision of the Direct Sales division is to be the biggest and most profitable
direct sales company in the Nordic countries and neighbouring regions, which
pulls along over 300 entrepreneurial sales professionals to success. The mission
of the Direct Sales division is to make the activities of its customers more
flexible with innovative products and the most professional, personal and local
service in the field.
The division comprises the direct sales companies in Finland, Sweden and Norway.
It will be headed by Veijo Ågerfalk, who has worked as Managing Director for
Beltton Svenska AB, a subsidiary of Wulff-Group, and as the head of the
Scandinavian business area.
According to Ågerfalk, arranging operations into two clearly differentiated
divisions provides great opportunities for fruitful co-operation both within and
between divisions. “The more seamlessly we work as a division, the better
service our customers get. We are well positioned to be both the number one
co-operation partner in the field and the employer that offers the best
opportunities to succeed in sales. Sales is the main engine for growth, which is
why successful sales recruitment and training will be at the focus of our
operations in 2009.”
GROUP MANAGEMENT TEAM
The Group's new management team consists of Heikki Vienola, CEO, Ari
Pikkarainen, Deputy CEO, Jani Puroranta and Veijo Ågerfalk, Executive Vice
Presidents, and Petri Räsänen, CFO.
The new organisation and areas of responsibility will take effect on 5 February
2009.
CHANGES IN EXTERNAL REPORTING
Wulff-Group will report on its 2008 financial performance according to the old
structure on 6 February 2009. In the future, the company will prepare its
financial reporting by the Contract Customers and Direct Sales divisions.
MEETING FOR INVESTORS, ANALYSTS AND THE MEDIA
Wulff-Group Plc will arrange a meeting for investors, analysts and the media on
6 February 2009, at noon, at Hotel Palace, Eteläranta 10, Helsinki.
WULFF-GROUP PLC
Heikki Vienola
CEO
www.wulff-group.com
Further information:
Heikki Vienola, CEO
Tel. +358 9 5259 0050 or +358 50 65 110
e-mail: heikki.vienola@wulff.fi
Sirpa Väisänen, IR Officer
Tel. +358 9 5259 0050 or +358 400 943 243
e-mail: sirpa.vaisanen@wulff.fi
Distribution:
NASDAQ OMX Helsinki
Key media
www.wulff-group.com
