Interim report January-June 2008 “We have significantly improved our performance compared to the first half of last year”, says Bong's President and CEO Anders Davidsson. “Our focus on business segments with higher value added, such as ProPac, and our efforts to free up working capital are gradually having a positive impact.” • Net sales for the first half of 2008 amounted to SEK 989 million (1,013) of which SEK 463 million (472) referred to the second quarter. • Bong's ProPac packaging venture showed continued rapid growth and made up 11% of the Group's total sales for the six-month period. • Operating profit improved to SEK 44 million (19) in the first half of 2008 and profit after tax totalled SEK 14 million (-4). Diluted earnings per share were SEK 1.05 (-1.28). • Cash flow after investing activities for the first six months was SEK 42 million (-72). • An additional 28% of the shares in the Dutch packaging company Voet International were acquired in June, bringing Bong's total holding in Voet up to 88%. For additional information, please contact Anders Davidsson, President and CEO of Bong Ljungdahl AB. Telephone (switchboard) +46 (0)44 20 70 00, (direct) +46 (0)44 20 70 80, (mobile) +46 (0)70 545 70 80. Bong is one of Europe's leading envelope companies and offers solutions for distribution and packaging of information, advertising materials and lightweight goods. Two strong growth areas in the Group are the new ProPac packaging concept and Russia, where Bong has recently established its own manufacturing facility and sales organisation. The Group has annual sales of approximately SEK 2 billion and some 1,200 employees in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Poland and Russia. Bong has a strong market position, particularly in Northern Europe, and the Group sees attractive opportunities for further expansion and development. Bong is a publicly listed company and its shares are quoted on the OMX Nordic Stock Exchange Stockholm (the Stockholm Stock Exchange).
Interim report January-June 2008
| Quelle: Bong AB