The CEO comments:
Overall, Inwido had a good second quarter of 2014. Sales increased organically by 7 percent and we also received a healthy contribution from our recently acquired companies JNA and SPAR in Denmark. Adjusted for structural effects, order bookings increased for the second quarter in a row, rising by 8 percent in the quarter compared with the year-earlier period. The order backlog is now 20 percent higher than at the same point in 2013. Along with growth, we are also seeing substantially improved profitability for Inwido. Before items affecting comparability, we earned SEK 150 million in the quarter, helping us move our operating margin in the right direction at 11.6 percent.
Inwido has carried out complex efficiency improvements and structural changes in recent years and we are now seeing the effects of this. We have relocated production, developed product platforms and changed numerous processes. As we are in the midst of a number of changes, this has been and remains a challenge for the entire organisation. It’s therefore heartening to see the positive effect this work is having as our markets now appear to be stabilising.
The indicators that we track, particularly the consumer confidence index, are currently pointing in the right direction in many countries. The industry market is improving, which is having a positive impact for us in the Nordic region. Our large Nordic markets in Sweden, Finland and Denmark all had a good quarter, although conditions in these markets vary significantly. Our weaker segments are still Norway and EBE, which are struggling with issues of structure and profitability. We have also taken and initiated measures, both with regard to production structure and sales processes, which are yet to have an impact on results.
We are now looking forward to the second half of 2014. If the situation at the macro level stabilises, our assessment is that the market will continue to develop positively. This provides good opportunities for Inwido. In addition, the market remains characterised by competition on price and customer price awareness, which creates challenges and demands that we continue to become more efficient and offer smarter solutions.
MALMÖ, 14 AUGUST 2014
Håkan Jeppsson
President and CEO
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