SWEDEN: AAK upbeat despite Q3 loss

By: just-food.com | 31 October 2008

Sweden's AarhusKarlshamn (AAK), the food ingredients group, has posted an operating loss during the third quarter due in part to the impact of restructuring costs.

AAK booked an operating loss of SEK284m (US$36.4m) for the third quarter of 2008, against a profit of SEK224m a year earlier.

Excluding non-recurring items including the restructuring costs, AAK reported an operating profit of SEK261m, compared to SEK161m a year ago. This figure was boosted by an insurance payout of SEK47m, related to last year's fire at the company's manufacturing facility in Aarhus, Denmark.

"Business continues to develop positively in all areas," CEO Jerker Hartwall said. "During the third quarter, we have compensated for the rapidly increasing prices of energy and consumables that affected us during the second quarter."

AAK is a manufacturer of value-added speciality vegetable fats with production facilities in Denmark, Mexico, the Netherlands, the UK, Sweden, Uruguay and the US.

Earnings per share fell to a loss of SEK6.03 from a profit of SEK2.85.

Sectors: Commodities & ingredients, Confectionery

Companies: AarhusKarlshamn