Billerud reported annual net profit of SEK 165 million ($22.6 million)

Feb 12, 2010. /Lesprom Network/. Billerud’s net sales totalled SEK 7,760 million ($1 billion) in 2009. Net profit amounted to SEK 165 million ($22.6 million) and operating profit to SEK 300 million ($41 million), which corresponded to a margin of 4%, company said in a press release received by Lesprom Network. In the 4Q 2009, Billerud’s net profit amounted to SEK 160 million ($22 million), an improvement of SEK 124 million ($17 million) from the 3Q. The operating profit amounted to SEK 231 million ($31.6 million) compared to an operating profit of SEK 64 million ($8.7 million) the previous quarter, an improvement of SEK 167 million ($22.9 million), mainly due to improved prices, lower costs for input materials and positive currency effects. Billerud’s strong order bookings continued in the 4Q. "We improved our performance on all fronts during the 4Q. We increased our operating profit to SEK 231 million ($31.6 million), which represents an improvement of SEK 167 million ($22.9 million) compared with the 3Q. This corresponds to an increase in the operating margin of eight percentage points, from 3% to 11%,” said Per Lindberg, CEO of Billerud. Billerud´s balance sheet strengthened, partly through the rights issue, partly through a strengthened cash flow. “My assessment is that we are entering 2010 as a stronger company," Lindberg said. Billerud is a packaging paper company, which focuses on kraft paper and containerboard.