Jun 23, 2006. /Lesprom Network/. The 10 companies, members of the Slovak Pulp and Paper Industry Association (ZCPP), posted a combined profit of SKK 471.8 million ($15.6 million) for the first quarter of 2006, a surge of 64.3% year-on-year, Mesto reported. ZCPP member companies generated combined sales of SKK 6.9 billion ($226.1 million) for the period, up by 13.4%. The paper producers' exports, which accounted for about 83% of the total sales, climbed by 11.2% to SKK 5.7 billion ($187.3 million). The number of employees at ZCPP member companies totalled 4 071 and labour productivity per employee stood at SKK 1.5 million ($49 500) in the first three months of 2006. The average monthly salary at the companies increased by 4.2% to SKK 4 078 ($795). The pulp and paper companies invested a total SKK 263 million ($8.7 million). Among the largest pulp and paper companies, members of ZCPP, are Mondi Business Paper SCP, Smurfit Kappa Sturovo, Tento, SHP Harmanec and Bukoza Holding. In 2005, ZCPP associated 11 companies, which reported a combined gross profit of SKK 670 million ($22.1 million) for the period, up 19.5% on the year.