Raute - Company Announcement

Raute's profit outlook for the full year 2013 weakened

Nastola, Finland, 2013-09-04 08:00 CEST (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RAUTE CORPORATION
STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 4 SEPTEMBER 2013 at 9:00 a.m. 


RAUTE'S PROFIT OUTLOOK FOR THE FULL YEAR 2013 WEAKENED

Raute's profit outlook for the full year 2013 has weakened. Net sales are
estimated to decline from the year 2012. Operating profit is estimated to
weaken from the previous year significantly, but remain positive. Previously
the company has estimated net sales and operating profit to remain at the same
level as in 2012. In 2012, the Group's net sales were EUR 101.3 million and the
operating profit was EUR 5.0 million positive. In the reporting period January
1 - June 30, 2013 the Group's net sales amounted to EUR 43.2 million and the
operating profit was EUR +0,6 million. 

Uncertainty concerning the development of the economy has been reflected in the
investment decisions of Raute's customers and in the volume of new orders for
project deliveries. Raute's weakened profit outlook is due to the modest order
intake in July-August and the amount of new orders forecasted for the next few
months. 

In the remaining part of the year, Raute's net sales and operating profit are
estimated to weight on the fourth quarter of the year. Based on the existing
order book there is, however, no need for adaptation measures in the short
term. 

Several large projects encompassing single production lines and mill-scale
deliveries that are in the planning and negotiation phase are pending. The
delay in decision-making concerning large projects is expected to result from
the schedule changes typical of project business, the uncertainty of economy
and the situation in the financing market. 

Raute Corporation's interim report January - September will be published on
Wednesday, October 30, 2013. 


RAUTE CORPORATION
Tapani Kiiski
President and CEO


FURTHER INFORMATION:
Mr. Tapani Kiiski, President and CEO, Raute Corporation, tel. +358 3 829 3560,
mobile +358 400 814 148 
Ms. Arja Hakala, CFO, Raute Corporation, tel. +358 3 829 3293, mobile +358 400
710 387 

DISTRIBUTION:
NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd, main media, www.raute.com

RAUTE IN BRIEF:
Raute is a technology and service company that operates worldwide. Raute's
customers are companies operating in the wood products industry that
manufacture veneer, plywood and LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber). The technology
offering covers machinery and equipment for the entire production process. As a
supplier of mill-scale projects Raute is a global market leader both in the
plywood and LVL industries. Additionally, Raute's full-service concept includes
technology services ranging from spare parts deliveries to regular maintenance
and equipment modernizations. Raute's head office is located in Nastola,
Finland. Its other production plants are in the Vancouver area of Canada, in
the Shanghai area of China, and in Kajaani, Finland. Raute's net sales in 2012
were EUR 101.3 million. The Group's headcount at the end of 2012 was 503. 

More information about the company can be found at www.raute.com.