2017-02-16 07:30:16 CET

2017-02-16 07:30:16 CET


SÄÄNNELTY TIETO

Englanti
Munksjö Oyj - Financial Statement Release

Profitability target of 12% reached, record high full-year results and cash flow


MUNKSJÖ OYJ, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS BULLETIN, Helsinki, Finland, 16 February 2017
at 07:30 AM CET

Profitability target of 12% reached, record high full-year results and cash flow

Highlights of the fourth quarter 2016

  ·  Net sales were EUR 282.4 (290.0) million.
  ·  Adjusted EBITDA was EUR 36.1 (22.1) million and the adjusted EBITDA margin
was 12.8% (7.6%). Items affecting comparability (IAC) amounted to EUR -6.6 (0.0)
million, mainly related to the planned combination.
  ·  Operating result was EUR 16.4 (8.5) million and net result EUR 11.8 (7.2)
million.
  ·  Earnings per share (EPS) were EUR 0.23 (0.14).
  ·  Operating cash flow was EUR 41.3 (44.5) million.
  ·  On 7 November 2016, Munksjö announced the plan to combine with Ahlstrom
Corporation and create a global leader in sustainable innovative fiber-based
solutions.

Highlights of January-December 2016

  ·  Net sales were EUR 1,142.9 (1,130.7) million.
  ·  Adjusted EBITDA was EUR 136.7 (93.6) million and the adjusted EBITDA margin
was 12.0% (8.3%). Items affecting comparability (IAC) amounted to EUR -6.6 (
-7.3) million, mainly related to the planned combination.
  ·  Operating result was EUR 74.9 (32.7) million and net result EUR 43.3 (22.8)
million.
  ·  Earnings per share (EPS) were EUR 0.85 (0.44).
  ·  Operating cash flow was EUR 114.3 (55.5) million.
  ·  The Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) approved the combination with
Ahlstrom on 11 January 2017.
  ·  The EGM also authorised the Board of Directors to resolve on an extra
payment of funds from the company's reserve for invested unrestricted equity as
return of equity of maximum EUR 0.45 per share.

KEY FIGURES       Oct-Dec                Jan-Dec
MEUR            2016   2015   Change, %  2016     2015     Change, %

Net   sales     282.4  290.0  -3%        1,142.9  1,130.7  1%
EBITDA          36.1   22.1   63%        136.7    93.6     46%
(adj.*)
EBITDA          12.8   7.6               12.0     8.3
margin, %
(adj.*)
EBITDA          29.5   22.1   33%        130.1    86.3     51%
EBITDA          10.4   7.6               11.4     7.6
margin, %
Operating       23.0   8.5    171%       81.5     40.0     104%
result (adj.*)
Operating       8.1    2.9               7.1      3.5
margin, %
(adj.*)
Operating       16.4   8.5    93%        74.9     32.7     129%
result
Operating       5.8    2.9               6.6      2.9
margin, %
Net   result    11.8   7.2    64%        43.3     22.8     90%
Earnings   per  0.23   0.14   66%        0.85     0.44     93%
share (EPS),
EUR
Interest        169.5  227.4  -25%       169.5    227.4    -25%
-bearing   net
debt

*Adjusted for items affecting comparability (IAC)

Unless otherwise indicated, the figures in parentheses refer to the figures for
the equivalent period in 2015. This financial report is unaudited. It is
published in Swedish, Finnish and English. In case of any discrepancies between
the three versions, the Swedish text shall prevail.

Comment from Munksjö’s President and CEO, Jan Åström

“I am proud of our team and what we have achieved in 2016. We reached our
ambitious target, set in 2013, of an EBITDA margin of 12 per cent. We announced
the plan to combine Munksjö and Ahlstrom through a merger to create a global
leader in sustainable and innovative fiber-based solutions, and we communicated
new expected targets including an EBITDA margin target of above 14 per cent for
the combined company. The combination is expected to create significant value
for the stakeholders through stronger global growth opportunities and improved
operational efficiency.

During 2016, the adjusted EBITDA reached EUR 136.7 (93.6) million, an
improvement of EUR 43 million or 46 per cent. All four business areas have
executed on their respective profitability improvement plans and approximately
half of the result improvement is based on our own actions to increase
efficiency. The rest was mainly attributable to favourable cost conditions.
Market demand has remained stable on a good level in all key businesses. Some
geographical markets, such as Brazil, have still been impacted by macroeconomic
uncertainty during 2016 but we have been able to compensate this with exports to
other markets. Our long-term market growth expectation remains intact at between
2-4 per cent annually, as the demand for several of the end-use applications of
our solutions is supported by global megatrends such as urbanization and
globalisation.

Our strong performance in 2016 has strengthened the company. I am now looking
forward to the next big step in the development through the merger with Ahlstrom
that is expected to be completed early in the second quarter of 2017. The
preparations for the integration process are proceeding according to plan and
together we will improve our competitiveness further and create a strong growth
platform for the future.”

Outlook

The demand outlook for 2017 for Munksjö’s specialty paper products is expected
to remain stable at the current good level and to reflect the seasonal pattern.

The annual maintenance and vacation shutdowns in the second and third quarter as
well as the seasonal shutdowns at the end of 2017 are expected to be carried out
to about the same extent as in 2016. The next maintenance shut down at the pulp
production facility in Aspa in Sweden will be carried out in the fourth quarter
of 2017.

The cash flow effect of current capital expenditure for fixed assets in 2017 is
expected to be approximately EUR 40 million and, in addition, the cash flow
impact of the strategic investment in the Arches mill is expected to be
approximately EUR 14 million.

The outlook for the financial year 2017 is given for Munksjö as a stand-alone
company with its current operations.

The Munksjö Group

                  Oct-Dec                    Jan-Dec
MEUR            2016   2015   Change, %  2016     2015     Change, %

Net   sales     282.4  290.0  -3%        1,142.9  1,130.7  1%
EBITDA          36.1   22.1   63%        136.7    93.6     46%
(adj.*)
EBITDA          12.8   7.6               12.0     8.3
margin, %
(adj.*)
EBITDA          29.5   22.1   33%        130.1    86.3     51%
EBITDA,         10.4   7.6               11.4     7.6
margin %
Operating       23.0   8.5    171%       81.5     40.0     104%
result (adj.*)
Operating       8.1    2.9               7.1      3.5
margin, %
(adj.*)
Operating       16.4   8.5    93%        74.9     32.7     129%
result
Operating       5.8    2.9               6.6      2.9
margin, %
Net   result    11.8   7.2    64%        43.3     22.8     90%
Capital         10.7   8.9    20%        39.2     39.8     -2%
expenditure
Employees,      2,752  2,749  0%         2,755    2,774    -1%
FTE

* Adjusted for items affecting comparability (IAC)

Fourth quarter 2016

  · Total group delivery volumes decreased. The positive volume development in
most of the product segments, especially the Brazilian paper business in
Business Area Release Liners, did not compensate for the lower volume for the
specialty pulp business and the Decor business, where the comparison period was
historically strong and included a large year-end delivery.
  ·  EBITDA adjusted for IAC increased to EUR 36.1 (22.1) million and the
adjusted EBITDA margin was 12.8% (7.6%). The positive result effect was driven
by profitability improvement actions, lower variable costs and higher
production.
  ·  The seasonal shutdowns in the fourth quarter were shorter compared to 2015
particularly in the Business Area Graphics and Packaging and in the Brazilian
paper business in Business Area Release Liners where seasonal shutdowns in 2015
were prolonged.
  ·  IAC amounted to EUR -6.6 (0.0) million, whereof approximately EUR 4 million
were related to the planned merger with Ahlstrom. Furthermore, approximately EUR
2 million were related to the terminated long-term share-value-based incentive
program.
  ·  The operating result was EUR 16.4 (8.5) million and net result EUR 11.8
(7.2) million.
  ·  In the reporting period the currency hedging result impacting operating
profit amounted to EUR -0.8 (-0.2) million. Exchange gains on financial assets
and liabilities were EUR 1.6 (1.4) million and are reported in financial items.

January-December 2016

  · Total group delivery volumes increased in most of the product segments and
were stable in decor papers. The delivery volume development was particularly
strong in the specialty pulp business and the Brazilian paper business in
Business Area Release Liners.
  · Net sales increased to EUR 1,142.9 (1,130.7) million, as higher volumes
compensated for the lower average price, mainly driven by the lower sales price
for long fibre specialty pulp and a different product mix compared to last year.
  ·  EBITDA adjusted for IAC increased to EUR 136.7 (93.6) million and the
adjusted EBITDA margin was 12.0% (8.3%). Higher delivery volumes had a positive
effect of EUR 10 million. This was offset by EUR 11 million as an effect of the
lower average price. Lower variable costs, driven mainly by operational
efficiency related actions, the lower energy price and lower raw material prices
had a positive result effect of EUR 54 million. Higher fixed costs had a
negative result effect of EUR 10 million, mainly as a result of accruals for
incentive plans and increased manning related to higher production volumes.
  ·  Out of the total profitability improvement, amounting to EUR 43 million,
approximately half was related to actions related to the plan to reach the
profitability target.
  ·  The annual maintenance and vacation shutdowns in the second and third
quarter were carried out to about the same extent as in 2015. The seasonal
shutdowns in the fourth quarter were shorter compared to 2015 particularly in
the Business Area Graphics and Packaging and in the Brazilian paper business in
Business Area Release Liners where seasonal shutdowns in 2015 were prolonged.
  ·  IAC amounted to EUR -6.6 (-7.3) million, whereof approximately EUR 4
million were related to the planned merger with Ahlstrom. Furthermore,
approximately EUR 2 million were related to the terminated long-term share-value
-based incentive program. The IAC in the comparison period 2015 was mainly
related to restructuring actions.
  ·  The operating result was EUR 74.9 (32.7) million and net result EUR 43.3
(22.8) million.
  ·  In the reporting period, the currency hedging result impacting operating
profit amounted to EUR -1.7 (-4.9) million. Exchange losses on financial assets
and liabilities were EUR 1.5 (gains of 9.5) million and are reported in
financial items.

Combination with Ahlstrom

On 7 November 2016, Munksjö Oyj and Ahlstrom Corporation announced a plan to
merge the two companies. The combination will create a global leader in
sustainable and innovative fiber-based solutions. The combination is expected to
create significant value for the stakeholders in the combined company through
stronger global growth opportunities and improved operational efficiency. The
combined company’s growth ambitions will be supported by a strong balance sheet
and strong cash flow generation.

  ·  Munksjö and Ahlstrom will merge through an absorption merger whereby
Ahlstrom’s shareholders will receive Munksjö shares as merger consideration.
  ·  Ahlstrom’s shareholders will receive 0.9738 new shares in Munksjö for each
share held in Ahlstrom as merger consideration, corresponding to an ownership in
the combined company of approximately 47.2% for current Ahlstrom shareholders
and approximately 52.8% for current Munksjö shareholders.

Unaudited pro forma financials of the combined company and certain other
information, such as composition of the management team can be found in the
merger prospectus, published on 16 December 2016.

Munksjö entered on 10 November 2016 into a facilities agreement for the merger
and the combined company with Nordea and SEB as the joint underwriters. The new
financing consists of approximately EUR 560 million multicurrency term and
revolving credit facilities with maturities ranging between three and five
years; and EUR 200 million bridge facility for Ahlstrom, which will be assumed
by Munksjö as from the date of completion of the merger with amended terms and
commitments reduced to EUR 100 million.

The syndication of the term loan facilities and the revolving credit facility
was concluded on 23 December 2016 and is provided by SEB, Nordea and Danske Bank
as bookrunners. BNP Paribas, OP Corporate Bank and Swedbank joined as Mandated
Lead Arrangers and Citi, Commerzbank, Crédit Agricole and DNB Bank joined as
Lead Arrangers.

Financial targets for the planned combined company are expected to include an
EBITDA margin above 14 per cent over a business cycle, a net gearing below 100
per cent, as well as a stable and annually increasing dividend.

Profitability target reached

Munksjö’s profitability target, set in 2013, to reach an EBITDA margin of 12 per
cent at the end of 2016 was achieved according to plan. The drivers for the
profitability improvement included continued operational efficiency, profitable
growth, product and service quality leadership and utilising the position as a
market and innovation leader. Within operational efficiency, the majority of the
planned actions included measures to adjust the cost structure.

Of the realised actions in the financial result in January-December 2016, the
majority were related to operational efficiency. Further information on the
actions related to the profitability improvement plan and their effect on the
financial result can be found under the heading Munksjö Group.

Events after the end of the reporting period

The Extraordinary General Meetings of both Munksjö Oyj and Ahlstrom Corporation
were held in Helsinki on 11 January 2017. Munksjö’s EGM resolved, inter alia, to
approve the combination of Ahlstrom’s and Munksjö's business operations through
a statutory absorption merger of Ahlstrom into Munksjö and approve the merger
plan. The EGM also resolved to authorise the Board of Directors to resolve on an
extra payment of funds from the company's reserve for invested unrestricted
equity as return of equity of maximum EUR 0.45 per share. The merger, which is
expected to be completed at the beginning of the second quarter of 2017, is
subject to among other things approval by relevant competition authorities.

Webcast and conference call

A combined news conference, conference call and live webcast will be arranged on
the publishing day 16 February 2017 at 10:00 a.m. CET (11:00 a.m. EET, 8:00 a.m.
GMT) at restaurant Savoy (Eteläesplanadi 14, 7th floor, Helsinki). The report
will be presented by President and CEO Jan Åström. The event will be held in
English. The conference call and live webcast can be followed on the Internet
and an on-demand version of the webcast will be available on the same webpage
later the same day.

To join the conference call, participants are requested to dial one of the
numbers below 5-10 minutes prior to the start of the event.

Webcast and conference call information

Finnish callers: +358 (0)9 7479 0404
Swedish callers: +46 (0)8 5065 3942
US callers: +1 719 457 2086
UK callers: +44 (0)330 336 9412
Conference ID: 7977721

Link to the webcast:
http://qsb.webcast.fi/m/munksjo/munksjo_2017_0216_q4/#/webcast

For further information, please contact:

Jan Åström, President and CEO, tel. +46 10 250 1001

Pia Aaltonen-Forsell, CFO, tel. +46 10 250 1029
Made by Munksjö – Intelligent paper technology
Munksjö is a world-leading manufacturer of advanced paper products developed
with intelligent paper technology. Munksjö offers customer-specific innovative
design and functionality in areas ranging from flooring, kitchens and
furnishings to release papers, consumer-friendly packaging and energy
transmission. The transition to a sustainable society is a natural driving force
for Munksjö's growth as the products can replace non-renewable materials. This
is what "Made by Munksjö" stands for. Given Munksjö's global presence and way of
integrating with the customers, the company forms a worldwide service
organisation with approximately 2,900 employees and 15 facilities located in
France, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Spain, Brazil and China. Munksjö's share is
listed on Nasdaq in Helsinki and Stockholm. Read more at www.munksjo.com.


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