Stora Enso to Divest Puumerkki


Helsinki, Finland 31 October 2017 -- Stora Enso has divested 100% of its shares in the Finnish Puumerkki Oy and the Estonian Puumerkki AS to Mimir Invest AB, a global investment firm. Puumerkki is a specialised wholesaler of wooden building materials and was 100% owned by Stora Enso.

This divestment supports Stora Enso's Wood Products division in focusing on its growth strategy and further build on the strength of the premium portfolio of products and services. Puumerkki's wholesale business does not belong to Stora Enso's core business. The new owner is in a better position to give Puumerkki the attention it deserves and ensure its long-term development. Puumerkki will continue to be a key customer for Stora Enso's renewable building materials also going forward.

Puumerkki's sales in 2016 were approximately EUR 160 million, and it has approximately 170 employees. The transaction was finalised immediately, and it will have no significant impact on Stora Enso's operational EBIT or net debt. Stora Enso will book a loss of EUR 8 million in its operational EBIT in the fourth quarter of 2017 as an item affecting comparability (IAC).

About the buyer

MIMIR is a global investment firm acquiring non-core business units of larger corporations and private companies that need operationally oriented ownership.

Stora Enso is a leading provider of renewable solutions in packaging, biomaterials, wooden constructions and paper on global markets. Our aim is to replace fossil-based materials by innovating and developing new products and services based on wood and other renewable materials. We employ some 25 000 people in more than 35 countries, and our sales in 2016 were EUR 9.8 billion. Stora Enso shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki (STEAV, STERV) and Nasdaq Stockholm (STE A, STE R). In addition, the shares are traded in the USA as ADRs (SEOAY). storaenso.com