EXEL OYJ STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 4.7.2006 at 14.00 1 (2)
EXELS FINANCIAL PROSPECTS WEAKENED, SALES OF NORDIC WALKING PRODUCTS
IN CENTRAL EUROPE REMAIN QUIET
According to preliminary information Exel Oyjs divisional second
quarter and half year sales were the following:
1.4.- 1.4.- Change 1.1.- 1.1.- Change
30.6. 30.6. 30.6. 30.6.
Million euros 2006 2005 2006/05 2006 2005 2006/05
Industry 20.5 15.5 +32% 38.8 28.0 +38.6
Sport 6.4 9.7 -34% 14.7 19.0 -23%
Group total 26.9 25.2 +7% 53.5 46.9 +14%
Exel Oyjs financial prospects for 2006 will fall short of forecasts
due to weak sales of Nordic Walking products in Central Europe. This
is due to longer than expected reduction of stock levels of retail
chains. Total demand of the markets in question is expected to be on a
clearly lower level than in the previous year. As a result, Exels
Sport Divisions sales in the second quarter fell clearly short of the
previous year. However, the retail chains are in the future expected
to focus on the leading pole brands, including Exel.
The Industry Divisions sales in the second quarter continued to show
strong growth.
As a result of the Industry Divisions organic growth and growth
brought along with Pacific Composites, the Groups sales on an annual
level are expected to grow noticeably on the previous year. Due to the
lower demand on the Nordic Walking markets and non-recurring costs,
mainly related to the Sport Division, the pre-tax profit is expected
to be clearly lower than in 2005.
Exel will publish its interim report for the second quarter on 26 July
2006 at 11 am.
Vantaa, 4 July 2006
EXEL OYJ
Board of Directors
Further information:
Ari Jokelainen, President & CEO, Exel Oyj, tel. +358 50 590 6750
Exel Oyj is a leading, international Group specialised in composite
technology, with a special focus on pultrusion, pull-winding and
continuous lamination. The Groups operations include design,
manufacturing and marketing of advanced composite products for
industrial applications and consumer goods. Exels most well-known
2 (2)
consumer products include cross-country, alpine and Nordic Walking
poles, antenna radomes and other industrial applications. In 2005 the
Groups net sales totalled EUR 91 million. Exel personnel averages
600. Exels share is listed on Helsinki Stock Exchanges Main List.
Further information: www.exel.net.