Apr 20, 2010. /Lesprom Network/. Ponsse Plc announced that sales of forest machines continued to pick up during the 1Q 2010. At the end of the period under review, the company's order book stood at Euro 37 million (Euro 16 million). The factory increased its capacity utilisation rate by approximately 40%, company said in a statement received by Lesprom Network. During the 1Q 2010, the company's net sales and profitability have developed better than expected. The company's net sales during the 1Q 2010 amounted to approximately Euro 51.3 million (Euro 37.5 million), while its operating result was about Euro 2.8 million (Euro -8.7 million). The net income recorded during the period under review was about Euro 6.3 million (Euro -9.4 million). The net income includes financial income of about Euro 2.1 million mainly resulting from currency rate fluctuations (Euro -258 thousand). The adjustment request regarding the company's income taxation was approved, and as a result, the income tax for the 1Q amounts to approximately Euro 1.5 million (Euro -410 thousand). Net sales for 2010 will grow substantially compared to the previous year. Operating result and cash flow from business operations will be clearly positive. Ponsse Plc´s interim report for 1 January - 31 March 2010 will be published on April 27. Ponsse Plc specialises in the sales, production, maintenance and technology of cut-to-length forest machines.