Feb 27, 2008. /Lesprom.com/. Cascades announced that sales increased by 11% during the 4Q 2007, amounting to $937 million compared with $843 million for the same period last year. Operating income amounted to $19 million for the period compared to operating losses of $17 million for the same quarter last year. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, Cascades reports unaudited net earnings of $95 million compared to net earnings of $3 million for the same period in 2006. When excluding specific items, net earnings amount to $22 million compared to net earnings of $52 million in 2006. For the 4Q ended December 31, 2007, net earnings amounted to $12 million compared to a net loss of $46 million for the 4Q ended December 31, 2006. Commenting on the yearly results, Alain Lemaire, President and CEO stated: "Given the rapid appreciation of the Canadian dollar and rising fiber costs, 2007 was definitely a challenging year for Cascades. However, in spite of these significant headwinds, we remain focused on delivering on our strategic plan. In the past 12 months, we continued to streamline our portfolio of assets, to implement restructuring initiatives, and we announced the merger with Reno de Medici in Europe. With the acquisition of Norampac at the end of 2006, Cascades is now in a stronger operational and financial position to continue its turnaround." The Board of Cascades declared a quarterly dividend of $0.04 per share to be paid March 21, 2008 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 7, 2008. Cascades Inc. is a North American leader in the production, converting and marketing of packaging products, fine papers and tissue papers.