Nov 13, 2015. /Lesprom Network/. Mayr-Melnhof Group’s consolidated sales for the first three quarters of 2015 totaled Euro 1,617.8 million and were thus 3%, or Euro 46.8 million above the previous year’s figure. This increase primarily results from higher business volumes in both divisions, as the company says in the press release received by Lesprom Network.

At Euro 154.6 million, operating profit was 13.3 %, or Euro 18.1 million above the comparative value of the previous year (1-3Q 2014: Euro 136.5 million). Both divisions equally contributed to this. The Group’s operating margin thus rose from 8.7 % to 9.6 %.

With ongoing low interests, financial income of Euro 1.4 million (1-3Q 2014: Euro 1.1 million) was offset by financial expenses of Euro -4.7 million (1-3Q 2014: Euro -3.7 million).

Profit before tax increased by 11.6 % to Euro 146.8 million after Euro 131.5 million in the first three quarters of the previous year. Income tax expense totaled Euro 38.6 million, resulting in an effective Group tax rate of 26.3 %.

Profit for the period thus went up by 11% to Euro 108.2 million (1-3Q 2014: Euro 97.5 million).

The Group's 3Q 2015 operating profit totaled Euro 58.1 million (3Q 2014: Euro 47.8 million), thus an operating margin of 10.6 % was achieved (3Q 2014: 8.9 %).

The profit for the 3Q 2015 amounted to Euro 41 million compared to Euro 36.5 million in 3Q 2014.

The Mayr-Melnhof Group is the world-leader in coated recycled cartonboard with a growing position in virgin fiber based board and Europe’s leading manufacturer of folding cartons with a growing presence outside of Europe.