STOCKHOLM, Sweden, April 10, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- In his speech before the Annual General Meeting in Vetlanda, President and CEO Staffan Bohman commented on and summarised the development of the full year 2001, and presented preliminary figures for the first quarter 2002.
"We now begin to see the positive effects on profit from our realised programmes of measures, which have led to lower cost levels and thereby strengthened competitiveness. The strong financial position of the Group from last year's divestments has also markedly improved the financial net", comments Staffan Bohman, CEO and President of Sapa.
The Annual General Meeting approved the proposed dividend to shareholders of SEK 5.00 per share. The record date was determined as Monday, 15 April, 2002. The dividend is scheduled to be paid on Thursday, 18 April, 2002.
The Meeting discharged the members of the Board and the Presidents and Chief Executives from responsibility for 2001 operations.
The Meeting authorized the Board to decide on the purchase and transfer of the company's own shares in line with the Board's proposal.
The Meeting decided that the Board should consist of eight members and no deputies. The current Board members Per-Olof Eriksson, Staffan Bohman, Anders Carlberg, Ole Enger, Lennart Evrell, Leif Gustafsson, Arne Karlsson and Mats Qviberg were re-elected.
Vetlanda 10 april, 2002
The Board of Directors
Sapa AB
For further information, please contact Mikael Widell, Vice President Communication and Investor Relations, tel: +46-70-311 99 60. This information is also available on Sapa's website on the Internet: www.sapagroup.com
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