Oct 30, 2012. /Lesprom Network/. Ponsse's consolidated net sales for 1 January – 30 September 2012 amounted to Euro 217.7 million, i.e. 3.5% less than in 1 January – 30 September 2011. International business operations accounted for 66.5% of total net sales, as the company said in the press release received by Lesprom Network. Net sales were regionally distributed as follows: Northern Europe 54.5%, Central and Southern Europe 17.9%, Russia and Asia 13.5%, North and South America 14%. The operating result was Euro 15.7 million. The operating result of the comparison period includes a non-recurring cost item of Euro 2.6 million. The operating result percentage equals 7.2% of net sales in the period under review. Consolidated return on capital employed (ROCE) stood at 16.3%. Staff costs for the period under review totalled Euro 37 million. Other operating expenses were Euro 22.6 million. The net total of financial income and expenses was Euro -1.8 million. Exchange rate gains and losses due to currency rate fluctuations were recognised under financial items, and their net impact during the period under review totalled Euro -0.6 million. Profit for the period totalled Euro 9.3 million. Diluted and undiluted earnings per share (EPS) were Euro 0.29. The interest on the subordinated loan for the period, less tax, has been taken into account in the calculation of EPS. Order intake for the period under review totalled Euro 209.4 million, while the period-end order books stood at Euro 62.5 million. Group’s euro-denominated operating profit for the year 2012 is expected to remain smaller than in 2011. The earlier profitability management for 2012 expected the Group’s euro-denominated operating profit to remain at the same level as in 2011. The prolongation of the global financial uncertainty and weak world economy has resulted in a decline in the demand for forest machines. It has become increasingly difficult to forecast the near-term outlook. President and CEO Juho Nummela said: “The economic uncertainty affected the demand for forest machines during the past period. The active trade fair season momentarily improved the situation and enabled maintaining normal order books. At period end, the company’s order books amounted to Euro 62.5 million, which was 43.6% less than in the exceptionally good comparison period. Forest machines continued to be manufactured in two shifts according to normal plan. Net sales of the past quarter were Euro 66.6 million, representing a change of -7.9% compared with the comparison period. Service business has slightly decreased. Net sales of the period under review were Euro 217.7 million, which is 3.5% smaller than in the comparison period. Despite the challenging market situation, net sales have remained at a planned level. The operating result amounted to Euro 5 million during the 3Q, equalling 7.5% of net sales. The operating result for the period under review amounted to Euro 15.7 million.” Ponsse Plc is a company specialising in the sales, manufacture, servicing and technology of cut-to-length method forest machines. Ponsse develops and manufactures sustainable and innovative harvesting solutions based on customers’ needs.