STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Dec. 17, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Board of Directors of Electrolux (Nasdaq:ELUX) (LSE:ELXB) has authorized a number of restructuring measures to improve productivity and adjust the cost structure within major appliances, mainly outside Europe, as well as within compressors.
The actions proposed will involve a total cost of SEK 1,367m, which will be charged as items affecting comparability against operating income in the fourth quarter of 2002. Approximately half of the amount relates to cash items, mainly personnel cutbacks involving 5,091 employees. Savings are estimated at SEK 253m in 2003, additional SEK 119m in 2004 and a total of SEK 415m annually from year-end 2005. All actions are subject to local laws and bargaining requirements.
The proposed actions would include closure of the Group's plant for room air-conditioners in Edison, NJ, USA, as well as rationalization of refrigerator production and sales and marketing in China. In India, measures comprise further consolidation of Group operations, write-downs of assets and personnel cutbacks. In addition, actions include divestment of the Australian component plant in Botany, NSW.
Within major appliances in Europe, rationalization would be implemented in relation to the previously announced consolidation of product platforms and change in production structure to a few master plants and a number of smaller, leaner manufacturing units. This includes transfer of part of cooker production in Motala, Sweden, Forli, Italy and Rothenburg, Germany to the cooker plant in Romania. Actions also include outsourcing of cooker hoods production in Motala to external suppliers, as well as transfer of part of refrigerator production in Fuenmayor, Spain to the refrigerator plant in Hungary.
Within compressors, actions would include restructuring of operations in Spain and India.
In addition to the proposed restructuring activities, and following impairment tests, write-downs of assets are expected in the full-year accounts for 2002 in the amount of approximately SEK 1,000m. These relate to compressors, as well as assets in other under-performing operations.
Hans Straberg, President and CEO of Electrolux, commented on the proposed measures: "Our operations in India and China, including the compressor operations, have been generating losses in recent years. The measures proposed will create a foundation for building financially sound operations in the respective markets and product categories. We must also examine changes in our cost structure within air-conditioners in North America, and leverage our strong market position in this product category which may involve sourcing from the Group's operation in Brazil as well as from external suppliers. The changes within appliances in Europe are focused mainly on improving productivity and achieving economies of scale in production.
We must make every effort to improve operations that are under-performing or not creating sufficient value. This is fundamental for enabling increased activities in product development and marketing to achieve growth, and for strengthening our leading positions within our highly competitive industries."
Product Area Total Whereof Whereof Personnel Estimated Total
cost, cash- write- cutbacks savings estimated
SEKm effect downs annual
savings
by year-
end 2005,
SEKm
Major appliances,
Rest of the world 635 280 355 2,665 64 157
Major appliances,
North America 396 157 239 1,350 101 101
Major appliances,
Europe 178 143 35 343 43 97
Total major
appliances 1,209 580 629 4,358 208 355
Compressors 158 113 45 733 45 60
Total 1,367 693 674 5,091 253 415
Summary of major actions proposed
North America Closure of plant for room air-
conditioners. Sourcing from Group
operation in Brazil and external
suppliers
China -Rationalization of refrigerator
production, write-down of assets
-Rationalization of sales and
marketing organization within major
appliances
India -Restructuring of compressor operation
-Consolidation of Group structure,
including personnel cutbacks and
write-down of assets
Australia Divestment of component plant in
Botany, NSW
Europe -Transfer of part of cooker production
from Motala, Sweden, Forli, Italy
and Rothenburg, Germany to Romania
-Outsourcing of cooker hoods
-Outsourcing of grid plating
-Transfer of part of refrigerator
production from Fuenmayor, Spain,
to Hungary
-Restructuring of Spanish compressor
operation
Electrolux is the world's largest producer of powered appliances for kitchen, cleaning and outdoor use, such as refrigerators, washing machines, cookers, vacuum cleaners, chain saws, lawn mowers, and garden tractors. In 2001, the Group had sales of SEK 135.8 billion and approximately 87,100 employees. Every year, customers in more than 150 countries buy more than 55 million Group products for both consumer and professional use under famous brands such as Electrolux, AEG, Zanussi, Frigidiare, Eureka and Husqvarna. The Electrolux Press Hotline can be reached at +46 8 657 65 07.
Factors affecting forward-looking statements
This report contains "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, among others, the financial goals or targets of Electrolux for future periods and future business and financial plans. Actual results may differ materially from these goals and targets due to a variety of factors. These factors include, but may not be limited to, the following; the success in developing new products and marketing initiatives, progress in achieving operational and capital efficiency goals, the success in identifying growth opportunities and acquisition candidates, and the integration of these opportunities with existing businesses, progress in achieving structural and supply-chain reorganization goals, competitive pressures to reduce prices, significant loss of business from major retailers, consumer demand, effects of current fluctuations and the effect of local economies on product demand.
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