Södra’s operating profits between January and September fell by Skr465m as the wood products sector continued to weaken.
Operating profits were SKr856m, down from SKr1.3bn a year ago. Net sales reached SKr13.1bn, a SKr372m decrease on 2007.
The company has implemented shutdowns accounting for 200,000m³ 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.
