Nov 06, 2008. /Lesprom.com/. Södra’s operating profits between January and September fell by SEK 465 million ($58 million) as the wood products sector continued to weaken, Timber Industry Magazine reported. Operating profits were SEK 856 million ($108 million), down from SEK 1.3 billion ($164 million) a year ago. Net sales reached SEK 13.1 billion ($164 million), a SEK 372 million ($47 million) decrease on 2007. The company has implemented shutdowns accounting for 200,000 cubic metres of sawn timber, while a further 25 workers at the Kinda and Åtvidaberg sawmills are to be made redundant. Södra said consumption had to some extent been helped by activity in the renovation sector. But it said sawn timber prices had decreased by more than 20% compared with the same period last year. Demand for interior products showed a similar weakening on the three Scandinavian markets, with even weaker business in European and Asian export markets. Södra acquired a Norwegian mouldings manufacturer and a Swedish MDF producer earlier this year.