STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Aug. 7, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Sapa Profiler AB, Vetlanda, Sweden, which manufactures and refines aluminium profiles, has secured another major order for a new product for the furniture giant IKEA. The order, valued at SEK 400 M, is the largest ever in Sapa's 40-year history.
Over the past ten years, Sapa's collaboration with IKEA has gradually been strengthened and intensified. The new order doubles Sapa's sales to IKEA and will lead to the creation of approximately ten new jobs.
The aluminium profiles from Sapa are to be used in the supporting framework for an entirely new furnishing product and will be supplied in three variants -- one with a natural anodised finish, one coated and one with a veneer surface. Sapa will be responsible for the entire production process and will deliver a completed product. The product will then be packed in Ikea packaging and shipped to central warehouses around the world. The product will be presented in IKEA's 2004 catalogue.
Avsikt, Asnen, Billy, Stolmen and Seim are all names from the IKEA product range with designs that include aluminium profiles from Sapa.
"Sapa work in partnership with IKEA," said Jan-Evert Johansson, Sales Director at Sapa Profiler AB in Vetlanda. "We live in a society where time is increasingly scarce. Product ranges must be extended with new items at an accelerating rate and development times must be shortened. IKEA is a trendsetter and skilled in design. We at Sapa are professionals in profiles and contribute to technical support and design assistance. Through our technical expertise, we help to create new applications, continually broadening the market for aluminium profiles. "We are competing globally when it comes to supplying IKEA, and we are pleased to be able to offer solutions for IKEA smart enough for them to be able to select a Swedish supplier for their new product," said Jan- Evert Johansson.
For further information please contact Eva Ekselius, Communications Manager, Sapa Profiler AB, telephone +46-383-942 89 or Gabriella Pihl, Communications Manager, Sapa AB, telephone +46-8-459 59 62.
Sapa (Other OTC:SPKKF) is an international industrial group, which develops and markets value-added aluminium profiles, profile-based components and systems, and heat exchanger strip in aluminium. Sapa will in 2003 have a turnover of approximately 12 billion SEK, with 7,600 employees all over Europe and in USA and China. Sapa is one of Europe's leading companies within its field and the customers are found in the transport, building, engineering and telecom industries. Sapa is listed on the O-list of Stockholmsborsen.
Further information about Sapa can be found on our web site www.sapagroup.com
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