Raisio plc, Stock Exchange Release, 19 November 2014, at 8.35 a.m. Finnish time
Today on 19 November 2014, Raisio announced that it has acquired the Benecol business in the UK, Ireland and Belgium. In the UK and Ireland, Benecol products are market leaders in cholesterol-lowering functional foods.
With the deal, Raisio’s market position strengthens significantly, which allows Raisio to better focus on healthy and ecological snacks in line with its strategy.
The UK’s breakfast cereal category is not growing and its profitability has declined. Sales and profitability of Honey Monster cereals are therefore also expected to remain permanently below the normal levels of recent years. In the last quarter of 2014, Raisio will write down the book value of the Honey Monster brand by 10 million euros as part of the restructuring of activities related to the acquisition. The write-down has no cash effect.
RAISIO PLC
HeidiHirvonen Communications and IR Manager
tel. +358 50 567 3060
Raisio Group briefly
Raisio plc is an international specialist in plant-based nutrition. Raisio’s operations are divided into two divisions: Brands and Raisioagro. The Group’s key market areas are Finland, Great Britain, the Czech Republic, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Estonia and Sweden. Raisio plc’s shares are listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd. In 2013, the Group's net sales totalled EUR 558 million and EBIT was EUR 39 million. The Group employs some 1,900 people. Raisio’s best-known brands are Benecol, Honey Monster, Elovena, Fox’s, Dormen, Juicee Gummee, Poppets and Benemilk.
Distribution
NASDAQ OMX
Key media
www.raisio.com