ÅR Packaging Group AB announces preliminary figures for

PRESS RELEASE January 23, 2015 AR PACKAGING ANNOUNCES PRELIMINARY FIGURES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2014 Due to the acquisition of MeadWestvaco Corporation's European tobacco, chocolate confectionery and consumer apparel packaging operations, the company has decided to publish preliminary financial figures for the full fiscal year ended 31 December 2014, in order to release certain parties from confidentiality undertakings. The company aims to present the complete financial interim report for the fourth quarter of 2014 approximately on February 13, 2015. Please note that the figures presented in this press release are preliminary and unaudited IFRS figures. Net sales for the year 2014 declined by 4,7 per cent to EUR 404,3 million, reflecting the AR Packaging's continued focus on reviewing less profitable volumes. This strategy also had a positive impact on profitability, with adj. EBITDA growing by 4,2 per cent to EUR 42,5 million, corresponding to a margin of 10,5 per cent of Net sales. Condensed consolidated statement of profit or loss EUR million FY14p ----------------------------------------------------- Net Sales 404,3 ----------------------------------------------------- Material cost and direct selling costs -234,9 ----------------------------------------------------- Added Value 169.4 ----------------------------------------------------- Direct labour and variable manufacturing costs -70,8 ----------------------------------------------------- Contribution 98,6 ----------------------------------------------------- Overhead costs -56,0 Other operating income or expense -0,1 ----------------------------------------------------- Adj. EBITDA 42,5 ----------------------------------------------------- Depreciation -15,1 ----------------------------------------------------- Adj. EBITA 27,4 ----------------------------------------------------- Amortization of goodwill 0,0 Gain/loss on disposal of fixed assets 0.4 ----------------------------------------------------- Adj. EBIT 27,8 ----------------------------------------------------- Non-recurring items -2,1 ----------------------------------------------------- EBIT 25,7 ----------------------------------------------------- Key ratios ----------------------------------------------------- Net sales growth -4,7% Adj. EBITDA margin 10,5% ----------------------------------------------------- Condensed consolidated statement of financial position EUR million 2014-12-31p ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ASSETS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Intangible assets including goodwill 40,4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Property, plant and equipment 76,4 Other non-current assets 15,5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total non-current assets 132,3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Inventory 46,0 Trade receivables 51,2 Other current assets 12,2 Cash and cash equivalents 37,9 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total current assets 147,3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ TOTAL ASSETS 279,6 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ EQUITY AND LIABILITIES ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total equity 79,4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bank overdraft facility, including factoring debt and leasing debt 7,8 Existing Bond 79,1 Provisions for defined benefit pensions 30,6 Deferred tax liabilities 3,0 Other provisions 3,8 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total non-current liabilities 124,3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bank overdraft facility, including factoring debt and leasing debt 7,5 Trade payables 38,1 Other current liabilities 30,3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total current liabilities 75,9 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 279,6 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Key ratios ---------------------------------- Net Debt 87,1 Net Debt /Adj. EBITDA  ratio 2,1 x ---------------------------------- For further information please contact: Niclas Nyström, CFO, AR Packaging Group AB Phone +46 701 44 56 64, email niclas.nystrom@ar-packaging.com ÅR Packaging Group ÅR Packaging is one of Europe's leading companies in the packaging sector with a turnover exceeding EUR 400 million and 1,600 employees in 14 factories in 7 countries. The head office is situated in Lund, Sweden. ÅR Packaging was formed in 2011 as a merger of A&R Carton, one of Europe's leading carton board packaging groups and Flextrus, a leader in northern Europe within flexible packaging. The group creates added value to customers by a broad product offering and deep knowledge of packaging. ÅR Packaging has an objective to grow both organically and by way of acquisitions aiming at an IPO. [HUG#1888998]