President and CEO Bengt Baron comments on the results for the third quarter of 2014


Significant improvement of operating profit
Cloetta’s operating profit improved markedly during the quarter to SEK 178m
(131). The underlying EBIT also increased and amounted to SEK 178m (160). It is
very gratifying to see the convergence of the operating profit and the
underlying EBIT, which is mainly due to the fact that our restructuring costs
are coming to an end.

The operating profit margin strengthened during the quarter to 13.7 per cent
(11.0). The underlying EBIT margin rose to 14.9 per cent (13.3). Profit after
tax was SEK 87m (86). Cash flow from oper­ating activities increased to SEK 75m
(54).

THE CONFECTIONERY MARKET
The confectionery market as a whole has been slightly positive, ex­cept in
Finland where it remained negative due to the country’s weak overall economic
development.

ACQUISITIONS DRIVING GROWTH
Cloetta’s total sales for the quarter rose by 9.1 per cent, of which
ac­quisitions accounted for 5.8 per cent and changes in exchange rates for 3.9
per cent. This means that organic sales were down by 0.6 per cent in the
quarter. Despite a somewhat negative organic growth in the quarter, Cloetta has
shown organic growth overall for the first 9 months. Sales can vary from quarter
to quarter, mainly as a result of the timing of product launches and marketing
activities.

Sales have increased or remained unchanged in the majority of markets. However,
sales fell in both Sweden and Norway. In Sweden, a warm summer contributed to
lower sales of primarily chocolate products, in particular in the impulse trade.
The decreased sales in Norway are mainly attributable to the termination of a
large pick-and-mix contract.

Sales of nuts under the Nutisal brand have shown positive devel­opment while, as
in the previous quarter, contract manufacturing has declined. The long-term
strategy is, as previously communicated, to focus on driving sales of the
Nutisal branded products over contract manufacturing.

The Jelly Bean Factory, which was acquired in May, has shown very strong sales
development, completely in line with our expecta­tions.

RESTRUCTURING PROCESS COMPLETED
Production of the chocolate product Tupla has now been fully insourced into the
factory in Ljungsbro. With this, the final piece of the factory restructuring
puzzle and relocation programme that was initiated more than two years ago has
fallen into place. I am highly satisfied with the way we have been able to
implement this massive restructuring process in which a full 40 per cent of the
Group’s total products have been relocated at some point during the project.

AGREEMENT WITH COOP CREATES GROWTH
The agreement we have signed with Coop Sweden is a natural step in our growth
strategy within Munchy Moments. Under the agreement, we will deliver a new pick
-and-mix concept, including both candy and natural snacks, which will be rolled
out in all of Coop Sweden’s stores at the beginning of 2015. The agreement will
drive growth and allow us to utilise our factory network even more efficiently,
thereby contributing to profitable growth.

CONTINUED FOCUS ON PROFITABLE GROWTH
After a relatively weak first quarter, profitability has steadily improved
during the year in spite of a continued negative currency impact. I am very
pleased that we have been able to complete the acquisitions of both Nutisal and
The Jelly Bean Factory during this year and that we have signed an agreement
with Coop Sweden for a new pick-and-mix concept. These steps will drive sales
beyond organic growth in the coming quarters. Now that the factory
re­structuring process has been completed, we are fully committed to integrating
and driving the operations we have acquired while at the same time ensuring
continued profitable growth.

The information contained in this press release is such that Cloetta is required
to disclose pursuant to the Swedish Financial Instruments Trading Act and/or the
Swedish Securities Markets Act. The information was submitted for publication on
14 November 2014 at 08:00 a.m. CET.
Media contact
Jacob Broberg, SVP Corporate Communications & Investor Relations, +46 70 190 00
33.
About Cloetta
Cloetta, founded in 1862, is a leading confectionary company in the Nordic
region, the Netherlands, and Italy. In total, Cloetta products are sold in more
than 50 countries worldwide. Cloetta owns some of the strongest brands on the
market, such as Läkerol, Cloetta, Jenkki, Kexchoklad, Malaco, Sportlife, Saila,
Red Band and Sperlari. Cloetta has 11 production units in six countries.
Cloetta’s class B-shares are traded on Nasdaq Stockholm. More information about
Cloetta is available on www.cloetta.com

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