Strong quarter in a challenging market
The Group companies’ efforts to adapt their operations, together with margin-enhancing measures, have continued to yield increasing results, and operating profit for the third quarter significantly exceeded that of the comparison period. In addition to improved margins, the sale of a property company contributed to the strong earnings performance and high cash flow for the period.
In terms of sales, continued growth in medical technology, pharmaceuticals, and defence, along with a slight recovery in the can manufacturing industry and the agricultural sector, offset generally lower project volumes.
Compared with the third quarter of the previous year, turnover increased by just under 7%. The operating profit for the period of SEK 110 million (13) and operating margin of 14.0% (1.7) include a capital gain on the divestment of a property company, but even excluding this, the improvement was significant. Adjusted operating profit was SEK 69 million (27) and adjusted operating margin 8.8% (3.6).
Lennart Persson, President and CEO
