Setra and SCA report better earnings

29 January 2014


Swedish sawmillers Setra and SCA have both reported improved earnings on the back of increased volumes and prices.

Setra reported operating profits of SKr107m (2012: SKr80m loss) for the full year 2013, with sales unchanged at SKr4.06bn. Its fourth quarter figures show an operating profit of SKr47m (2012: SKr56m loss), with sales up to SKr1bn (2012: SKr951m).

The UK and Japan were Setra's strongest growing export markets in 2013, with the Middle East and North Africa "stable" and accounting for 20% of its total sales. The company continues to target more business in South-east Asia and has had its own sales representative based in China since last December.

SCA also reported higher solid wood sales as a result of better volumes and prices.

Its forest products division, which includes solid wood, publication papers, pulp and kraftliner products, recorded a 35% boost in annual operating profits to SKr1.84bn (2012: SKr1.36bn). The operating profits for the fourth quarter were up 188% to SKr916m.

SCA's sawmills delivered 2.2 million m3 of solid wood products last year, up 4% on 2012, while output was down 4% in the fourth quarter to 517,000m3.