26th March 2009 POWERFLUTE OYJ PRELIMINARY RESULTS ANNOUNCEMENT for the year ended 31 December 2008 Powerflute Oyj (the "Company" or “Powerflute”), the packaging group with established positions in Nordic semi-chemical fluting and coated woodfree papers, today announced results for the year ended 31 December, 2008. Powerflute is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange (Ticker: POWR) and on the First North list, the alternative market of the OMX Nordic Exchange Stockholm AB (Ticker POW1V) Financial highlights • Net sales at € 108.0m (2007 - € 115.7m) • Underlying EBITDA € 12.8m (2007 - € 20.4m) • Operating profit € 6.0m (2007 - € 12.4m) • Basic EPS 2.8 cents (2007 - 8.0 cents) • Net assets € 25.8m (2007 - € 17.2m) • Net debt € 41.6m (2007 - € 25.6m) Operating highlights • Acquisition of Papierfabrik Scheufelen, a manufacturer of coated woodfree papers, successfully completed • Major investment in new headbox at Savon Sellu • Establishment of Harvestia enhancing security and continuity of wood supply to Savon Sellu • Management team strengthened with the appointment of David Walton as CFO The Group will announce its Interim Results for the period ending 30th June 2009 on or about 5th August 2009. Powerflute Chairman, Dermot Smurfit commented: “Despite the unprecedented changes to the economic environment and the challenging market conditions we encountered, 2008 was a transformational year for Powerflute. It culminated in the exciting acquisition of Scheufelen, a manufacturer of coated wooodfree papers, which has both diversified the Group's operating activities and has the potential to be significantly earnings enhancing and to create value for our shareholders. With the acquisition of Scheufelen, the Group has doubled in size from a volume perspective and more than trebled its potential annual sales. Since the start of 2009, market conditions have continued to be very challenging. However, we are confident that we remain well placed to benefit from recovery. Contacts For additional information please contact: Powerflute OYJ Dermot Smurfit (Chairman) Don Coates (Chief Executive Officer) c/o Billy Clegg, Financial Dynamics +44 (0)20 7269 7157 Collins Stewart Europe Ltd: Piers Coombs +44 (0)20 7523 8319 E.Öhman J:or Fondkommission AB: Ms Arja Väyrynen +358 9 8866 6029 Financial Dynamics: Billy Clegg Georgina Bonham +44 (0)20 7831 3113 K Capital Source Mark Kenny Jonathan Neilan +353 (1) 631 5500 About Powerflute Powerflute Oyj (“the Company” or “Powerflute”) is a packaging group with established positions in Nordic semi-chemical fluting and coated woodfree papers. Through its subsidiary Savon Sellu Oy, the Group operates a paper mill in Kuopio, Finland which produces a specialised form of semi-chemical fluting made from birchwood sourced principally in Finland and Russia. Corrugated boxes manufactured using Nordic semi-chemical fluting demonstrate exceptional strength and moisture resistance and are extensively used for transportation of fruit and vegetables, high-value industrial goods such as electrical appliances and automotive components. The Kuopio mill has the capacity to produce up to 300,000 tonnes per annum and is one of three suppliers of Nordic semi-chemical fluting in Europe. Through its recently acquired subsidiary Papierfabrik Scheufelen, the Group operates a paper mill in Lenningen, Germany which produces a range of coated woodfree papers from mixed hardwood and softwood pulps. Coated woodfree papers are used in the production of printed promotional material such as brochures, leaflets and other point of sale materials for producers and distributors of premium branded goods. The Lenningen mill has the capacity to produce up to 300,000 tonnes per annum and supplies the majority of its products into the European market where total demand has historically been in excess of 7.7 million tonnes per annum. Powerflute is a public company and its shares are traded on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange and on First North, the alternative market of the OMX Nordic Exchange Stockholm AB. For further information, please visit www.powerflute.com Forward Looking Statements Some statements in this announcement are forward-looking. They represent expectations for Powerflute's business, and involve risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about future events. The Company believes that current expectations and assumptions with respect to these forward-looking statements are reasonable. However, because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which are in some cases beyond the Company's control, actual results or performance may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Preliminary Results
| Source: Powerflute Oyj