Full-year net sales are expected to increase by approximately 10 per cent. The operating profit excluding non-recurring and imputed items is expected to be somewhat lower than in the previous year. However, due to the capital gain from Ekokem shares, earnings will exceed those for the previous year.
In Environmental Services, the slowdown in the construction and forest industries will affect transport and intake volumes. In other respects, the market outlook for Environmental Services is stable. The full-year operating profit excluding non-recurring and imputed items for Environmental Services is expected to be at a slightly lower level than a year ago.
The market outlook for Property and Office Support Services will remain stable. However, the competitive environment will remain challenging, and the financial uncertainties may reflect in the number of commissioned assignments. The division’s international operations are expected to improve their performance but still remain in the red. The full-year operating profit excluding non-recurring and imputed items from Property and Office Support Services is expected to fall somewhat short of the previous year’s level due to higher social costs.
Strong fluctuations in the demand for Industrial Services are likely to continue in the final quarter, and production adjustment measures will continue. After the end of the period, a decision has been made to discontinue the division’s soil washing services which have been making a loss. As a result, a non-recurring expense amounting to approximately EUR 2.6 million will be recognised for the final quarter. The division’s full-year operating profit excluding non-recurring and imputed items will fall short of last year’s level.
Operations will focus on profitability improvement. Investments will be lower than in the previous year.
28 October 2008