Suominen Corporation’s Interim Report for January 1 – March 31, 2022: Start of the year burdened by cost inflation and customer inventory issues, outlook updated
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Suominen Corporation’s Interim Report for January 1 – March 31, 2022: Start of the year burdened by cost inflation and customer inventory issues, outlook updated

Suominen Corporation’s Interim Report on May 4, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. (EEST)

Suominen Corporation’s Interim Report for January 1 – March 31, 2022:
Start of the year burdened by cost inflation and customer inventory issues, outlook updated

 1-3/1-3/1-12/
KEY FIGURES202220212021
Net sales, EUR million110.3115.3443.2
Comparable EBITDA, EUR million3.318.547.0
Comparable EBITDA, %3.016.110.6
EBITDA, EUR million3.318.547.0
Operating profit, EUR million-1.313.626.9
Operating profit, %-1.211.86.1
Profit for the period, EUR million-2.313.820.7
Cash flow from operations, EUR million-2.716.011.1
Cash flow from operations per share, EUR-0.050.280.19
Earnings per share, basic, EUR-0.040.240.36
Return on invested capital, rolling 12 months, %*6.125.013.9
Gearing, %35.013.330.4

* Restated

In this financial report, figures shown in brackets refer to the comparison period last year if not otherwise stated.

January–March 2022 in brief:

- Net sales decreased by 4% and amounted to EUR 110.3 million (115.3)
- Comparable EBITDA declined to EUR 3.3 million (18.5)
- Cash flow from operations was EUR -2.7 million (16.0)

Outlook for 2022 updated

Suominen expects that its comparable EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) in 2022 will decrease clearly from 2021. The war in Ukraine has increased the already significant cost inflation in raw materials, energy and transportation. Also, while there has been progress in the normalization of the customer inventory levels in the US, it has been somewhat slower than expected. These factors will impact the full year result negatively even though we expect that the demand for our products will improve in the second half of the year. In 2021, Suominen’s comparable EBITDA was EUR 47.0 million.

Previous outlook

Suominen expects that its comparable EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) in 2022 will decrease from 2021. The main reasons are inventory levels which still remain high at certain customers as well as operational issues in the entire supply chain due to the current COVID-19 situation, both of which will impact the result negatively especially in the first quarter. In 2021, Suominen’s comparable EBITDA was EUR 47.0 million.

Petri Helsky, President & CEO:

“For Suominen the beginning of 2022 has been challenging as was expected. Certain key customers especially in the US continued to struggle with their inventory levels. Furthermore, in the early part of the year both our and our customers’ operations were affected by the omicron variant of the COVID-19. Both of these factors impacted our sales negatively. On the cost side we have seen further sharp increases in raw material, energy and freight costs. Due to the lag in our sales pricing mechanisms our pricing in the first quarter did not fully reflect these increases.

We condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and we feel deeply for all Ukrainians whose lives have been devastated by Russia’s incredulous aggression. The war has minor direct impact to Suominen’s business as we have had no suppliers in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine and only very few customers in Russia. Since the war started, we have stopped all sales to Russia. Suominen as a company is mostly affected by the indirect economic impacts of the invasion which contribute to the significant cost inflation mentioned above.

Our net sales were EUR 110.3 million (115.3) in the first quarter. Sales volumes decreased from the COVID-19 boom levels while sales prices increased clearly following the higher raw material prices. Our quarterly EBITDA was EUR 3.3 million (18.5). The main reasons for the decline were the lower volumes and the timing gap between our customer pricing and raw material, energy and freight costs which increased even more than the sales prices.

To improve our financial performance, we have launched an EBITDA improvement program to identify both new sales opportunities and cost savings initiatives. As an example of actions taken, we implemented an energy surcharge to all our products sold in Europe in mid-March. Also, as the inventory issues in the US are mainly related to a certain product group, we have been working to widen the product portfolio at the production lines especially affected by the inventory imbalance.

In line with our vision to be the frontrunner in sustainable nonwovens we are continuously developing our sustainable product offering. During the quarter, we launched our first carbon neutral product BIOLACE® Zero. Our efforts in the sustainability area were also recognized at the IDEA®22 Conference with our HYDRASPUN® Aquaflo winning the Nonwoven Product Achievement Award.

The near future continues to look challenging. The war in Ukraine has worsened the inflationary pressures in raw material, energy and freight costs and increased uncertainty overall. The inventory levels at our certain US key customers have remained elevated despite a decreasing trend supported by solid end consumer demand. However, we are more optimistic about the second half of the year. We are seeing signs of the raw material cost inflation moderating from the third quarter onwards and we also expect improved demand for our products through normalization of the US inventory levels and our portfolio widening actions mentioned above.

NET SALES

In January–March 2022, Suominen’s net sales decreased by 4% from the comparison period to EUR 110.3 million (115.3). Sales volumes decreased while sales prices increased following the higher raw material prices. Currencies impacted net sales positively by EUR 4.6 million.

Suominen has two business areas, Americas and Europe. Net sales of the Americas business area were EUR 61.7 million (71.9) and net sales of the Europe business area were EUR 48.5 million (43.4).

EBITDA, OPERATING PROFIT AND RESULT

EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) declined to EUR 3.3 million (18.5). This was driven by lower sales volumes and the timing gap between the higher raw material, energy and freight costs and sales pricing. The positive impact from currencies on EBITDA was EUR 0.6 million.

Operating profit decreased to EUR -1.3 million (13.6).

Result before income taxes was EUR -2.2 million (16.9), and result for the reporting period was EUR -2.3 million (13.8). In the comparison period, the sale of Amerplast impacted the result positively by EUR 3.7 million.

FINANCING

The Group’s net interest-bearing liabilities at nominal value amounted to EUR 53.8 million (20.2) at the end of the review period. The gearing ratio was 35.0% (13.3%) and the equity ratio 39.8% (43.9%).

In January–March, net financial expenses were EUR -0.9 million (+3.3), or -0.8% (2.8%) of net sales. The net financial expenses of the comparison period include a gain of EUR 3.7 million arising from the sale of Amerplast. Fluctuations in exchange rates decreased the net financial items by EUR 0.7 million. In the comparison period the fluctuations in exchange rates decreased the net financial items by EUR 0.7 million.

Cash flow from operations was EUR -2.7 million (16.0), representing a cash flow per share of EUR -0.05 (0.28). The decline in the cash flow from operations was mainly due to the lower result. An additional EUR 4.3 million was tied up in working capital (in Q1 2021: tied up additional EUR 2.2 million).

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE

The gross capital expenditure totaled EUR 1.8 million (5.2) and was mainly related to normal maintenance investments.

Depreciation and amortization for the review period amounted to EUR 4.6 million (4.9).

PROGRESS IN SUSTAINABILITY

We have strong focus on safety and accident prevention, and our long-term target is to have zero lost time accidents. In the first quarter there were no LTA’s at Suominen sites.

The employee-manager performance and development discussions, conducted in February–March, covered 98% of the white-collar employees. Our target is to develop and harmonize the performance and development process for our blue-collar employees globally.

We are committed to continuously improving our production efficiency and the efficient utilization of natural resources. In the first quarter we continued our active measures towards our targets to reduce energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption and waste to landfill by 20% per ton of product by 2025 compared to the base year of 2019. As an example of our concrete actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions we installed solar panels to our Alicante plant during the first quarter of the year.

We offer a comprehensive portfolio of sustainable nonwovens to our customers and we are continuously developing new and innovative solutions with a reduced environmental impact. During the first quarter of 2022 we launched our first carbon neutral product BIOLACE® Zero. Our target is a 50% increase in sales of sustainable nonwovens by 2025 compared to 2019, and to have over 10 sustainable product launches per year.

Suominen reports progress in its key sustainability KPIs annually.

As part of our Annual Report 2021 published on March 2, 2022 we reported on the progress of our sustainability performance. Our sustainability reporting in 2021 was done in accordance with the Core option of the GRI Standards from the Global Reporting Initiative and it was assured by an external partner.

INFORMATION ON SHARES AND SHARE CAPITAL

Share capital

The number of Suominen’s registered shares was 58,259,219 shares on March 31, 2022, equaling to a share capital of EUR 11,860,056.00.

Share trading and price

The number of Suominen Corporation shares traded on Nasdaq Helsinki from January 1 to March 31, 2022 was 7,195,433 shares, accounting for 12.6% of the average number of shares (excluding treasury shares). The highest price was EUR 5.27, the lowest EUR 3.02 and the volume-weighted average price EUR 3.85. The closing price at the end of review period was EUR 3.55. The market capitalization (excluding treasury shares) was EUR 204.0 million on March 31, 2022.

Treasury shares

On March 31, 2022, Suominen Corporation held 797,077 treasury shares. As a share-based payment plan vested, in total 237,584 shares were transferred to the participants of the plan in February.

The share repurchase program of Suominen commenced on November 3, 2021 and ended on January 21, 2022. Suominen acquired in total 68,677 shares in January 2022

The portion of the remuneration of the members of the Board of Directors which shall be paid in shares

The Annual General Meeting held on March 24, 2022 decided that 75% of the annual remuneration of the members of the Board of Directors is paid in cash and 25% in Suominen Corporation’s shares.

The shares will be transferred out of the own shares held by the company by the decision of the Board of Directors within two weeks from the date on which the interim report of January–March 2022 of the company is published.



Share-based incentive plans for the management and key employees

The Group management and key employees participate in the company’s share-based long-term incentive plans. The plans are described in more detail in the Financial Statements and in the Remuneration Report, available on the company’s website www.suominen.fi.

Company's Performance Share Plan currently includes three 3-year performance periods, calendar years 2020–2022, 2021–2023 and 2022–2024. The aim of the Performance Share Plan is to combine the objectives of the shareholders and the persons participating in the plan in order to increase the value of the company in long-term, to build loyalty to the company and to offer them competitive reward plans based on earning and accumulating the company’s shares.

Performance Share Plan: Ongoing performance periods

Performance Period2020–20222021–20232022–2024
Incentive based onTotal Shareholder Return (TSR)Total Shareholder Return (TSR)Total Shareholder Return (TSR)
Potential reward paymentWill be paid partly in Suominen shares and partly in cash in spring 2023Will be paid partly in Suominen shares and partly in cash in spring 2024Will be paid partly in Suominen shares and partly in cash in spring 2025
Participants17 people19 people25 people
Maximum number of shares748,500456,500401,000


The President & CEO of the company must hold 50% of the net number of shares given on the basis of the plan, as long as his or her shareholding in total corresponds to the value of his or her annual gross salary. A member of the Executive Team must hold 50% of the net number of shares given on the basis of the plan, as long as his or her shareholding in total corresponds to the value of half of his or her annual gross salary. Such number of shares must be held as long as the participant’s employment or service in a group company continues.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Suominen Corporation was held on March 24, 2022.

The AGM adopted the Financial Statements and the Consolidated Financial Statements for the financial year 2021 and discharged the members of the Board of Directors and the President & CEO from liability for the financial year 2021. The AGM approved the Remuneration Report for the governing bodies.

The AGM decided, in accordance with the proposal by the Board of Directors, that a dividend of EUR 0.20 per share will be paid.

The AGM confirmed the remuneration of the Board of Directors. The Chair will be paid an annual fee of EUR 70,000 and the Deputy Chair and other Board members an annual fee of EUR 33,000. Chair of the Audit Committee will be paid an additional fee of EUR 10,000. Further, the members of the Board will receive a fee for each Board and Committee meeting as follows: EUR 500 for each meeting held in the home country of the respective member, EUR 1,000 for each meeting held elsewhere than in the home country of the respective member and EUR 500 for each meeting held as a telephone conference.

75% of the remuneration is paid in cash and 25% in Suominen Corporation’s shares. Compensation for expenses is paid in accordance with the company's valid travel policy.

The AGM decided that the number of Board members remains unchanged at six (6). Mr. Andreas Ahlström, Mr. Björn Borgman, Mr. Jaakko Eskola, Ms. Nina Linander and Ms. Laura Raitio were re-elected as members of the Board. Mr. Aaron Barsness was elected as a new member of the Board.

Mr. Jaakko Eskola was re-elected as the Chair of the Board of Directors.

Ernst & Young Oy, Authorised Public Accountant firm, was re-elected as the auditor of the company for the next term of office in accordance with the Articles of Association. Ernst & Young Oy appointed Mr. Toni Halonen, Authorised Public Accountant, as the principally responsible auditor of the company.

The AGM authorized the Board of Directors to decide on the repurchase of the company’s own shares and to resolve on the issuance of shares and granting of options and the issuance of special rights entitling to shares. The terms and conditions of the authorization are explained later in this interim report.

Suominen published a stock exchange release on March 24, 2022 concerning the resolutions of the Annual General Meeting and the organizing meeting of the Board of Directors. The stock exchange release and an introduction of the new Board member can be viewed on Suominen’s website at www.suominen.fi.

In compliance with the resolution of the Annual General Meeting, on April 7, 2022 Suominen paid out dividends in total of EUR 11.5 million for 2021, corresponding to EUR 0.20 per share.

Organizing meeting and permanent committees of the Board of Directors

In its organizing meeting held after the AGM, the Board of Directors elected Andreas Ahlström as Deputy Chair of the Board.

The Board of Directors elected from among its members the members for the Audit Committee and Personnel and Remuneration Committee. Nina Linander was re-elected as the Chair of the Audit Committee and Andreas Ahlström and Laura Raitio were re-elected as members. Jaakko Eskola was re-elected as the Chair of the Personnel and Remuneration Committee and Björn Borgman was re-elected as member, and Aaron Barsness was elected as new member.

Authorizations of the Board of Directors

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on March 24, 2022 authorized the Board of Directors to decide on the repurchase a maximum of 1,000,000 of the company’s own shares. The company’s own shares shall be repurchased otherwise than in proportion to the holdings of the shareholders by using the non-restricted equity through trading on regulated market organized by Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd at the market price prevailing at the time of acquisition. The shares shall be repurchased and paid in accordance with the rules of Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd and Euroclear Finland Ltd. The shares shall be repurchased to be used in company’s share-based incentive programs, in order to disburse the remuneration of the members of the Board of Directors, for use as consideration in acquisitions related to the company’s business, or to be held by the company, to be conveyed by other means or to be cancelled. The Board of Directors shall decide on other terms and conditions related to the repurchase of the company’s own shares. The repurchase authorization shall be valid until June 30, 2023 and it revokes all earlier authorizations to repurchase company’s own shares.

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on March 24, 2022 authorized the Board of Directors to decide on issuing new shares and/or conveying the company’s own shares held by the company and/or granting options and other special rights referred to in Chapter 10, Section 1 of the Finnish Companies Act. New shares may be issued, and the company’s own shares may be conveyed to the company’s shareholders in proportion to their current shareholdings in the company; or by waiving the shareholder’s pre-emption right, through a directed share issue if the company has a weighty financial reason to do so, such as, for example, using the shares as consideration in possible acquisitions or other arrangements related to the company’s business, as financing for investments, using shares as part of the company’s incentive program or using the shares for disbursing the portion of the Board members’ remuneration that is to be paid in shares. The new shares may also be issued without payment to the company itself. New shares may be issued and/or company’s own shares held by the company or its group company may be conveyed at the maximum amount of 5,000,000 shares in aggregate.

The Board of Directors may grant options and other special rights referred to in Chapter 10, Section 1 of the Finnish Companies Act, which carry the right to receive against payment new shares or own shares held by the company. The right may also be granted to the company’s creditor in such a manner that the right is granted on condition that the creditor’s receivable is used to set off the subscription price (“Convertible Bond”). However, options and other special rights referred to in Chapter 10, Section 1 of the Companies Act cannot be granted as part of the company’s remuneration plan.

The maximum number of new shares that may be subscribed and own shares held by the company that may be conveyed by virtue of the options and other special rights granted by the company is 5,000,000 shares in total which number is included in the maximum number stated above.

The authorizations shall revoke all earlier authorizations regarding share issue and issuance of special rights entitling to shares. The Board of Directors shall decide on all other terms and conditions related to the authorizations. The authorizations shall be valid until June 30, 2023.

NOTIFICATIONS UNDER CHAPTER 9, SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES MARKET ACT

March 8, 2022: The shareholding of Etola Group Oy, controlled by Mr. Erkki Etola, in Suominen Corporation crossed the 10% flagging threshold. At the same time the total holding of Erkki Etola and companies controlled by him in Suominen Corporation crossed the 20% flagging threshold.

February 25, 2022: The shareholding of Etola Group Oy, controlled by Mr. Erkki Etola, in Suominen Corporation crossed the 5% flagging threshold.

January 20, 2022: The shareholding of Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance Company in Suominen Corporation fell below the threshold of 5%.

SHORT TERM RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

The raw material, energy and logistics markets relevant for Suominen continue to experience significant volatility and cost inflation. This can impact Suominen’s financial performance depending on how the markets develop.

Regarding the war in Ukraine, the direct impact to Suominen’s business is minor as we have very few customers and no suppliers in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. Suominen as a company is mostly affected by the indirect economic impacts of the war which contribute to the cost inflation mentioned above.

Also the COVID-19 pandemic can still cause uncertainty in Suominen’s business environment. The key risks related to the virus concern the health and safety of Suominen personnel and customers, possible shortages of raw materials and issues linked to logistics, as well as potential closures of customers’ or our own plants due to virus infections. Our customers have generally performed well financially even during the pandemic and thus our customer credit risks have not materially increased.
Suominen’s other risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: risks related to manufacturing, competition, raw material prices and availability and customer specific volumes and credits, changes in legislation, political environment or economic conditions and investments, and financial risks.

A more detailed description of risks is available in Suominen’s Annual Report 2021 at suominen.fi/investors.

BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

Suominen’s nonwovens are, for the most part, used in daily consumer goods, such as wet wipes as well as in hygiene and medical products. In these target markets of Suominen, the general economic situation determines the development of consumer demand, even though the demand for consumer goods is not very cyclical in nature. North America and Europe are the largest market areas for Suominen. In addition, the company operates in the South American markets. The growth in the demand for nonwovens has typically exceeded the growth of gross domestic product by a couple of percentage points.

The market expectation is that in the long run the end user demand for wipes will remain above pre-COVID levels. However, the pandemic-caused demand spike followed by moderation of said demand has led to an inventory imbalance in the whole supply chain especially in the US which still partially persists.

The war in Ukraine has worsened the inflationary pressures in raw material, energy and freight costs and increased uncertainty overall. However, we are seeing signs of the raw material cost inflation moderating from the third quarter onwards and we also expect normalization of the US inventory levels going forward.

OUTLOOK FOR 2022

Suominen expects that its comparable EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) in 2022 will decrease clearly from 2021. The war in Ukraine has increased the already significant cost inflation in raw materials, energy and transportation. Also, while there has been progress in the normalization of the customer inventory levels in the US, it has been somewhat slower than expected. These factors will impact the full year result negatively even though we expect that the demand for our products will improve in the second half of the year. In 2021, Suominen’s comparable EBITDA was EUR 47.0 million.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STATEMENT AND REMUNERATION REPORT

Suominen has prepared a separate Corporate Governance Statement and a Remuneration Report for
2021, which comply with the recommendations of the Finnish Corporate Governance Code for listed
companies. The statements also cover other central areas of corporate governance. The statements have been published on Suominen's website, separately from the Report of the Board of Directors, at www.suominen.fi

AUDIOCAST AND CONFERENCE CALL

Petri Helsky, President & CEO, and Toni Tamminen, CFO, will present the result in English in an audiocast and a conference call for analyst, investors and media on May 4, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. (EEST). The audiocast can be followed at https://suominen.videosync.fi/2022-q1-results. The recording of the audiocast and the presentation material will be available after the event at www.suominen.fi.

Conference call participants are requested to dial on:
Sweden: +46 856642651 
United Kingdom: +44 3333000804 
United States: +1 6319131422 
The confirmation code for joining the conference call is 26630687#

NEXT FINANCIAL REPORT

Suominen Corporation will publish its Half Year Report 2022 on August 9, 2022 approximately at 9:30 a.m. (EEST).

SUOMINEN GROUP 1.1–31.3.2022

The figures in these interim financial statements are mainly presented in EUR thousands. As a result of rounding differences, the figures presented in the tables do not necessarily add up to total.

This interim report has not been audited.

This interim report has been prepared in accordance with the principles defined in IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting. The principles for preparing the interim report are the same as those used for preparing the consolidated financial statements for 2021, with the exception of the effect of the new accounting standards and interpretations which have been applied from January 1, 2022.

The new or amended standards or interpretations applicable from January 1, 2022 are not material for Suominen Group.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

    
EUR thousand31.3.202231.3.202131.12.2021
Assets   
Non-current assets   
Goodwill15,49615,49615,496
Intangible assets12,50315,92513,176
Property, plant and equipment116,643110,050115,478
Right-of-use assets15,46517,40515,741
Equity instruments421421421
Other non-current receivables1016996
Deferred tax assets1,6652,0441,668
Total non-current assets 162,295161,410162,077
    
Current assets   
Inventories49,00539,73249,763
Trade receivables66,74055,43265,495
Other current receivables9,0076,2565,403
Assets for current tax2,4392,1682,564
Cash and cash equivalents97,04681,999101,357
Total current assets224,237185,587224,583
    
Total assets386,532346,997386,660
    
Equity and liabilities   
Equity    
Share capital11,86011,86011,860
Share premium account24,68124,68124,681
Reserve for invested unrestricted equity75,69275,60275,692
Fair value and other reserves80-7-7
Exchange differences-680-10,100-5,577
Retained earnings41,87150,19256,549
Total equity attributable to owners of the parent153,504152,227163,199
    
Liabilities   
Non-current liabilities   
Deferred tax liabilities13,42113,88413,931
Liabilities from defined benefit plans596752638
Non-current provisions1,9481,8331,916
Non-current lease liabilities12,91714,64213,167
Other non-current liabilities1173
Debentures49,18183,15549,144
Total non-current liabilities78,064114,28378,799
    
Current liabilities   
Current provisions270
Current lease liabilities2,8822,5842,761
Debenture bonds84,36884,062
Liabilities for current tax7293,403669
Trade payables and other current liabilities66,98574,23057,170
Total current liabilities154,96480,487144,662
    
Total liabilities233,028194,770223,461
    
Total equity and liabilities386,532346,997386,660

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS

EUR thousand1-3/20221-3/20211-12/2021
Net sales110,269115,333443,219
Cost of goods sold-103,687-95,125-392,390
Gross profit6,58220,20850,828
Other operating income3158454,434
Sales, marketing and administration expenses-7,255-6,622-26,238
Research and development expenses-795-600-2,678
Other operating expenses-116-238595
Operating profit-1,26813,59226,941
Net financial expenses-9303,266-390
Profit before income taxes-2,19816,85826,551
Income taxes-138-3,085-5,816
Profit for the period -2,33613,77420,734
    
Earnings per share, EUR   
Basic-0.040.240.36
Diluted-0.040.240.36

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

EUR thousand1-3/20221-3/20211-12/2021
    
Profit for the period -2,33613,77420,734
    
Other comprehensive income:   
Other comprehensive income that will be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss   
Exchange differences5,1034,2689,137
Income taxes related to other comprehensive income-206-436-781
Total4,8973,8328,356
Other comprehensive income that will not be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss   
Remeasurements of defined benefit plans26
Income taxes related to other comprehensive income-7
Total19
    
Total other comprehensive income 4,8973,8328,375
    
Total comprehensive income for the period2,56117,60629,109

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

EUR thousandShare capitalShare premium accountReserve for invested unrestricted equityExchange differences
Equity 1.1.202211,86024,68175,692-5,577
Profit for the period
Other comprehensive income4,897
Total comprehensive income 4,897
Distribution of dividend
Share-based payments
Acquisition of treasury shares
Transfers
Equity 31.3.202211,86024,68175,692-680


EUR thousandFair value and other reservesRetained earningsTotal equity attributable to owners of the parent
Equity 1.1.2022-756,549163,199
Profit for the period-2,336-2,336
Other comprehensive income4,897
Total comprehensive income -2,3362,561
Distribution of dividend-11,492-11,492
Share-based payments-412-412
Acquisition of treasury shares-352-352
Transfers87-87
Equity 31.3.20228041,871153,504


EUR thousandShare capitalShare premium accountReserve for invested unrestricted equityTreasury shares
Equity 1.1.202111,86024,68181,361-44
Profit for the period
Other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income
Share-based payments
Conveyance of treasury shares44
Dividends and return of capital-5,759
Equity 31.3.202111,86024,68175,602


EUR thousandExchange differencesFair value and other reservesRetained earningsTotal equity attributable to owners of the parent
Equity 1.1.2021-13,933-741,962145,882
Profit for the period13,77413,774
Other comprehensive income3,8323,832
Total comprehensive income 3,83213,77417,606
Share-based payments259259
Conveyance of treasury shares-44
Dividends and return of capital-5,759-11,519
Equity 31.3.2021-10,100-750,192152,227


EUR thousandShare capitalShare premium accountReserve for invested unrestricted equityTreasury shares
Equity 1.1.202111,86024,68181,361-44
Profit for the period
Other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income
Distribution of dividend and return of capital-5,759
Share-based payments
Acquisition of treasury shares
Conveyance of treasury shares9044
Equity 31.12.202111,86024,68175,692


EUR thousandExchange differencesFair value and other reservesRetained earningsTotal equity attributable to owners of the parent
Equity 1.1.2021-13,933-741,962145,882
Profit for the period20,73420,734
Other comprehensive income8,356198,375
Total comprehensive income 8,35620,75429,109
Distribution of dividend and return of capital-5,759-11,519
Share-based payments1,2761,276
Acquisition of treasury shares-1,640-1,640
Conveyance of treasury shares-4490
Equity 31.12.2021-5,577-756,549163,199

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

EUR thousand1-3/20221-3/20211-12/2021
    
Cash flow from operations   
Profit for the period-2,33613,77420,734
Total adjustments to profit for the period5,2765,12127,585
Cash flow before changes in net working capital2,94118,89548,319
Change in net working capital-4,313-2,157-25,242
Financial items-466-283-5,258
Income taxes-840-501-6,731
Cash flow from operations-2,67915,95411,088
    
Cash flow from investments   
Investments in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets-2,235-4,255-17,628
Sales proceeds from property, plant and equipment and intangible assets4
Sales proceeds from sale of equity investments2,1232,170
Cash flow from investments-2,235-2,132-15,454
    
Cash flow from financing   
Drawdown of non-current interest-bearing liabilities50,000
Issuance costs of the bonds-939
Repayment of current interest-bearing liabilities-709-638-2,757
Repayment of loan receivables9,3019,301
Acquisition of treasury shares-379-1,612
Dividends and return of capital paid-11,520
Cash flow from financing-1,0888,66342,473
    
Change in cash and cash equivalents-6,00222,48538,106
    
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period101,35757,87757,877
Effect of changes in exchange rates1,6911,6375,374
Change in cash and cash equivalents-6,00222,48538,106
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period97,04681,999101,357

KEY RATIOS

 1-3/20221-3/20211-12/2021
Change in net sales, % *-4.41.7-3.4
Gross profit, as percentage of net sales, %6.017.511.5
Comparable EBITDA, as percentage of net sales, %3.016.110.6
Operating profit, as percentage of net sales, %-1.211.86.1
Net financial items, as percentage of net sales, %-0.82.8-0.1
Profit before income taxes, as percentage of net sales, %-2.014.66.0
Profit for the period, as percentage of net sales, %-2.111.94.7
Gross capital expenditure, EUR thousand1,7685,22617,771
Depreciation and amortization, EUR thousand4,5664,94220,092
Return on equity, rolling 12 months, %2.928.113.3
Return on invested capital, rolling 12 months, % **6.125.013.9
Equity ratio, %39.843.942.2
Gearing, %35.013.330.4
Average number of personnel (FTE - full time equivalent)710703709
Earnings per share, EUR, basic-0.040.240.36
Earnings per share, EUR, diluted-0.040.240.36
Cash flow from operations per share, EUR-0.050.280.19
Equity per share, EUR2.672.642.85
Number of shares, end of period, excluding treasury shares57,462,14257,599,16457,293,235
Share price, end of period, EUR3.555.745.18
Share price, period low, EUR3.025.004.25
Share price, period high, EUR5.276.246.41
Volume weighted average price during the period, EUR3.855.605.48
Market capitalization, EUR million204.0330.6296.8
Number of traded shares during the period7,195,4337,004,14717,714,203
Number of traded shares during the period, % of average number of shares12.612.230.8
    
* Compared with the corresponding period in the previous year.  
** Restated   
 31.3.202231.3.202131.12.2021
Interest-bearing net debt, EUR thousands   
Non-current interest-bearing liabilities, nominal value62,91799,64263,167
Current interest-bearing liabilities, nominal value87,8822,58487,761
Interest-bearing receivables and cash and cash equivalents-97,046-81,999-101,357
Interest-bearing net debt53,75320,22749,570

CALCULATION OF KEY RATIOS AND ALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Key ratios per share are either IFRS key ratios (earnings per share) or required by Ordinance of the Ministry of Finance in Finland or alternative performance measures (cash flow from operations per share).

Some of the other key ratios Suominen publishes are alternative performance measures. An alternative performance measure is a key ratio which has not been defined in IFRS standards. Suominen believes that the use of alternative performance measures provides useful information for example to investors regarding the Group's financial and operating performance and makes it easier to make comparisons between the reporting periods.

The link between the components of the key ratios per share and the consolidated financial statements is presented in the consolidated financial statements of 2021. The link between the components of the alternative performance measures and the consolidated financial statements is presented in Suominen’s Annual Report for 2021.

Calculation of key ratios per share

Earnings per share                                
                                

Basic earnings per share (EPS)



 Profit for the period. net of tax
=Share-issue adjusted average number of shares excluding treasury shares

 
    
    
Diluted earnings per share (EPS)



 Profit for the period
=Average diluted share-issue adjusted number of shares excluding treasury shares

 


EUR thousand 31.3.202231.3.202131.12.2021
Profit for the period -2,33613,77420,734
     
     
Average share-issue adjusted number of shares 57,323,49457,581,24557,579,440
Average diluted share-issue adjusted number of shares excluding treasury shares 57,419,94657,912,92058,023,347
     
Earnings per share    
     
EUR    
Basic -0.040.240.36
Diluted -0.040.240.36

Cash flow from operations per share
        

Cash flow from operations per share



 Cash flow from operations
=Share-issue adjusted number of shares excluding treasury shares. end of reporting period

 


  31.3.202231.3.202131.12.2021
Cash flow from operations, EUR thousand -2,67915,95411,088
Share-issue adjusted number of shares excluding treasury shares, end of reporting period 57,462,14257,599,16457,293,235
Cash flow from operations per share, EUR -0.050.280.19

        
Equity per share

Equity per share



 Total equity attributable to owners of the parent
=Share-issue adjusted number of shares excluding treasury shares. end of reporting period

 

                                                            

  31.3.202231.3.202131.12.2021
Total equity attributable to owners of the parent, EUR thousand 153,504152,227163,199
Share-issue adjusted number of shares excluding treasury shares, end of reporting period 57,462,14257,599,16457,293,235
Equity per share, EUR 2.672.642.85

Market capitalization

Market capitalization=Number of shares at the end of reporting period excluding treasury shares x share price at the end of period


  31.3.202231.3.202131.12.2021
Number of shares at the end of reporting period excluding treasury shares 57,462,14257,599,16457,293,235
Share price at end of the period, EUR3.555.745.18
Market capitalization, EUR million 204.0330.6296.8

Share turnover

Share turnover=The proportion of number of shares traded during the period to weighted average number of shares excluding treasury shares


  31.3.202231.3.202131.12.2021
Number of shares traded during the period 7,195,4337,004,14717 714 203
Average number of shares excluding treasury shares57,323,49457,581,24557,579,440
Share turnover, % 12.612.230.8

Calculation of key ratios and alternative performance measures

Operating profit and comparable operating profit

Operating profit (EBIT)=Profit before income taxes + net financial expenses
     
Comparable operating profit (EBIT)=Profit before income taxes + net financial expenses. adjusted with items affecting comparability

In order to improve the comparability of result between reporting periods. Suominen presents comparable operating profit as an alternative performance measure. Operating profit is adjusted with material items that are considered to affect comparability between reporting periods. These items include, among others, impairment losses or reversals of impairment losses, gains or losses from the sales of property, plant and equipment or intangible assets or other assets and restructuring costs. Suominen did not have any items affecting comparability in 2022 or 2021.

EBITDA and comparable EBITDA

EBITDA is an important measure that focuses on the operating performance excluding the effect of depreciation and amortization, financial items and income taxes, in other words what is the margin on net sales after deducting operating expenses.

EBITDA = EBIT + depreciation, amortization and impairment losses

Comparable EBITDA = EBIT + depreciation, amortization and impairment losses, adjusted with items affecting comparability

EUR thousand 31.3.202231.3.202131.12.2021
Operating profit -1,26813,59226,941
+ Depreciation, amortization and impairment losses4,5664,94220,092
EBITDA 3,29818,53447,033

Gross capital expenditure

EUR thousand 31.3.202231.3.202131.12.2021
Increases in intangible assets 26119162
Increases in property, plant and equipment1,5085,20717,609
Gross capital expenditure 1,7685,22617,771

Interest-bearing net debt

It is the opinion of Suominen that presenting interest-bearing liabilities not only at amortized cost but also at nominal value gives relevant additional information to the investors.

Interest-bearing net debt=Interest-bearing liabilities at nominal value - interest-bearing receivables - cash and cash equivalents


EUR thousand 31.3.202231.3.202131.12.2021
Interest-bearing liabilities 149,348100,381149,134
Tender and issuance costs of the debentures 1,4511,8451,794
Cash and cash equivalents-97,046-81,999-101,357
Interest-bearing net debt 53,75320,22749,570
     
Interest-bearing liabilities 149,348100,381149,134
Tender and issuance costs of the debentures 1,4511,8451,794
Nominal value of interest-bearing liabilities 150,799102,226150,927

Return on equity (ROE), %

Return on equity (ROE), %=Profit for the reporting period (rolling 12 months) x 100
  Total equity attributable to owners of the parent (quarterly average)


EUR thousand 31.3.202231.3.202131.12.2021
Profit for the reporting period (rolling 12 months) 4,62540,34420,734
     
Total equity attributable to owners of the parent 31.3.2021 / 31.3.2020 / 31.12.2020 152,227135,868145,882
Total equity attributable to owners of the parent 30.6.2021 / 30.6.2020 / 31.3.2021 159,386138,551152,227
Total equity attributable to owners of the parent 30.9.2021 / 30.9.2020 / 30.6.2021 159,682144,074159,386
Total equity attributable to owners of the parent 31.12.2021 / 31.12.2020 / 30.9.2021 163,199145,882159,682
Total equity attributable to owners of the parent 31.3.2022 / 31.3.2021 / 31.12.2021 153,504152,227163,199
Average 157,600143,320156,075
     
Return on equity (ROE), % 2.928.113.3

Invested capital

Invested capital=Total equity + interest-bearing liabilities – cash and cash equivalents

The calculation formula for invested capital has been changed. Previous years’ figures have been restated.



EUR thousand
 31.3.202231.3.202131.12.2021
Total equity attributable to owners of the parent 153,504152,227163,199
Interest-bearing liabilities 149,348100,381149,134
Cash and cash equivalents-97,046-81,999-101,357
Invested capital 205,806170,609210,975

Return on invested capital (ROI), %

Return on invested capital (ROI), %=Operating profit (rolling 12 months) x 100
  Invested capital, quarterly average

The calculation formula for ROI has been changed. Previous years’ figures have been restated.

EUR thousand 31.3.202231.3.202131.12.2021
Operating profit (rolling 12 months) 12,08147,42026,941
     
Invested capital 31.3.2021 / 31.3.2020 / 31.12.2020 170,609199,571188,298
Invested capital 30.6.2021 / 30.6.2020 / 31.3.2021 192,651199,529170,609
Invested capital 30.9.2021 / 30.9.2020 / 30.6.2021 205,786191,626192,651
Invested capital 31.12.2021 / 31.12.2020 / 30.9.2021 210,975188,298205,786
Invested capital 31.3.2022 / 31.3.2021 / 31.12.2021 205,806170,609210,975
Average 197,165189,927193,664
     
Return on invested capital (ROI), % 6.125.013.9

Equity ratio. %

Equity ratio. %=Total equity attributable to owners of the parent x 100 
  Total assets - advances received 


EUR thousand 31.3.202231.3.202131.12.2021
Total equity attributable to owners of the parent 153,504152,227163,199
     
Total assets 386,532346,997386,660
Advances received -788-60-75
  385,744346,937386,584
     
Equity ratio, % 39.843.942.2

Gearing. %

Gearing. %=Interest-bearing net debt x 100 
  Total equity attributable to owners of the parent


EUR thousand 31.3.202231.3.202131.12.2021
Interest-bearing net debt 53,75320,22749,570
Total equity attributable to owners of the parent 153,504152,227163,199
Gearing, % 35.013.330.4

NET SALES BY GEOGRAPHICAL MARKET AREA

EUR thousand1-3/20221-3/20211-12/2021
Finland7877802,707
Rest of Europe45,70941,472168,841
North and South America62,92272,370269,247
Rest of the world8517112,424
Total110,269115,333443,219

QUARTERLY SALES BY BUSINESS AREA

      
 20222021
EUR thousand1-310-127-94-61-3
Americas61,72668,85857,04867,40271,904
Europe48,53046,74741,63446,25143,432
Unallocated exchange differences and eliminations12-20-28-6-2
Total110,269115,58598,654113,647115,333

QUARTERLY DEVELOPMENT

 20222021
EUR thousand1-310-127-94-61-3
Net sales110,269115,58598,654113,647115,333
Comparable EBITDA3,2988,9834,24015,27718,534
as % of net sales3.07.84.313.416.1
EBITDA3,2988,9834,24015,27718,534
as % of net sales3.07.84.313.416.1
Items affecting comparability
Operating profit-1,2683,874-84210,31713,592
as % of net sales-1.23.4-0.99.111.8
Net financial items-930-1,074-969-1,6133,266
Profit before income taxes-2,1982,800-1,8118,70416,858
as % of net sales-2.02.4-1.87.714.6

RELATED PARTY INFORMATION

The related parties of Suominen include the members of the Board of Directors, President & CEO and the members of the Executive Team as well as their family members and their controlled companies. In addition, shareholders who have a significant influence in Suominen through share ownership are included in related parties. Suominen has no associated companies.

In its transactions with related parties Suominen follows the same commercial terms as in transactions with third parties.

One of Suominen’s share-based plans vested and shares were transferred to the participants of the plan in February. The President & CEO received 60,739 shares, and the value of the shares and portion settled in cash totaled EUR 463 thousand. The number of the shares transferred to other members of the Executive Team was 116,755 shares. The value of the shares and the portion settled in cash was EUR 817 thousand.

CHANGES IN PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS

 31.3.202231.3.202131.12.2021
EUR thousandProperty, plant and equipmentIntangible assetsProperty, plant and equipmentIntangible assetsProperty, plant and equipmentIntangible assets
Carrying amount at the beginning of the period115,47813,176104,66616,748104,66616,748
Capital expenditure and increases1,5082615,2071917,609162
Depreciation, amortization and impairment losses-2,767-955-3,284-861-13,061-3,801
Exchange differences and other changes2,425223,461196,26468
Carrying amount at the end of the period116,64312,503110,05015,925115,47813,176


Goodwill is not included in intangible assets.

 31.3.202231.3.202131.12.2021
EUR thousandRight-of-use assetsRight-of-use assetsRight-of-use assets
Carrying amount at the beginning of the period15,74117,78417,784
Increases41991719
Disposals and decreases-2-11-103
Depreciation, amortization and impairment losses-843-797-3,230
Exchange differences and other changes150338571
Carrying amount at the end of the period15,46517,40515,741


CHANGES IN INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES

EUR thousand1-3/20221-3/20211-12/2021
Total interest-bearing liabilities at the beginning of the period149,134100,293100,293
Current liabilities at the beginning of the period86,8232,5392,539
Repayment of current liabilities, cash flow items-709-638-2,757
Increases in current liabilities, non-cash flow items11529309
Decreases of current liabilities, non-cash flow items-2-13-67
Reclassification from non-current liabilities68062286,610
Periodization of debentures to amortized cost, non-cash flow items306105
Exchange rate difference, non-cash flow item374484
Current liabilities at the end of the period87,2502,58486,823
    
Non-current liabilities at the beginning of the period13,16714,89214,892
Increases in non-current liabilities, non-cash flow items30468418
Decreases of non-current liabilities, non-cash flow items-4-47
Reclassification to current liabilities-680-622-2,653
Exchange rate difference, non-cash flow item127308557
Non-current liabilities at the end of the period12,91714,64213,167
    
Non-current debentures at the beginning of the period49,14482,86282,862
Increases in debentures50,000
Periodization of debentures to amortized cost, non-cash flow items372931,178
Tender and issuance costs of the debentures, cash flow items-939
Reclassification to current liabilities-83,957
Non-current debentures at the end of the period49,18183,15549,144
Total interest-bearing liabilities at the end of the period149,348100,381149,134

CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

     
EUR thousand31.3.2022 31.3.202131.12.2021
     
Other commitments    
Rental obligations83 12485
Contractual commitments to acquire property, plant and equipment1,117 4,442713
Commitments to leases not yet commenced332 117458
     
Guarantees    
On own behalf3,558 3,9223,495
Other own commitments23,466 31,30424,713
Total27,025 35,22628,208

NOMINAL AND FAIR VALUES OF DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

 31.3.202131.3.202131.12.2021
EUR thousandNominal valueFair
value
Nominal
value
Fair
value
Nominal
value
Fair
value
Currency forward contracts      
Hedge accounting not applied2,675-172,729-661,960-14

FINANCIAL ASSETS BY CATEGORY

a. Fair value through profit or loss
b. Financial assets at amortized cost
c. Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income
d. Carrying amount
e. Fair value
 


EUR thousanda.b.c.d.e.
Equity instruments421421421
Trade receivables66,74066,74066,740
Interest and other financial receivables233233233
Cash and cash equivalents97,04697,04697,046
Total 31.3.2022164,019421164,440164,440


 Classification
EUR thousanda.b.c.d.e.
Equity instruments421421421
Trade receivables65,49565,49565,495
Derivative receivables222
Interest and other financial receivables259259259
Cash and cash equivalents101,357101,357101,357
Total 31.12.20212167,111421167,534167,534

Principles in estimating fair value of financial assets for 2022 are the same as those used for preparing the consolidated financial statements for 2021.

FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

 31.3.202231.12.2021
EUR thousandCarrying amountFair valueNominal valueCarrying amountFair valueNominal value
Non-current financial liabilities      
       
Debentures49,18145,76550,00049,14449,12550,000
Lease liabilities12,91712,91712,91713,16713,16713,167
Total non-current financial liabilities62,09858,68262,91762,31162,29263,167
       
Current financial liabilities      
       
Debentures84,36885,92785,00084,06286,49685,000
Lease liabilities2,8822,8822,8822,7612,7612,761
Interest accruals1,6611,6611,661936936936
Derivative liabilities171717151515
Other current liabilities1,0171,0171,017379379379
Trade payables40,29540,29540,29545,66145,66145,661
Total current financial liabilities130,241131,799130,873133,814136,248134,752
       
Total192,339190,482193,790196,125198,540197,919

Principles in estimating fair value for financial liabilities for 2022 are the same as those used for preparing the consolidated financial statements for 2021.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT HIERARCHY

EUR thousandsLevel 1Level 2Level 3
Equity instruments421
Total421
    
Derivatives at fair value   
Currency derivatives, liabilities-17
Total-17

Principles in estimating fair value of financial assets and their hierarchies for 2022 are the same as those used for preparing the consolidated financial statements for 2021.

There were no transfers in the fair value measurement hierarchy levels during the reporting period.   

SUOMINEN CORPORATION
Board of Directors


For additional information, please contact:
Petri Helsky, President & CEO, tel. +358 10 214 3080
Toni Tamminen, CFO, tel. +358 10 214 3051

Suominen manufactures nonwovens as roll goods for wipes and other applications. Our vision is to be the frontrunner for nonwovens innovation and sustainability. The end products made of Suominen’s nonwovens are present in people’s daily life worldwide. Suominen’s net sales in 2021 were EUR 443.2 million and we have over 700 professionals working in Europe and in the Americas. Suominen’s shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki. Read more at www.suominen.fi.

Distribution:
Nasdaq Helsinki
Main media
www.suominen.fi

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