Itella clarifies its financial goals and launches performance improvement program

Itella's operating environment is in transition. Digital services are replacing traditional ones to an increasing extent, competition is more intense and growth in the economy has slowed down. At the same time, online commerce and related parcel volumes are growing rapidly, requiring investments in new technology and equipment. The universal service obligation applicable to Itella imposes constraints on the provision of postal services in Finland.

Itella’s financial performance needs to be improved in order for it to make investments needed to maintain company’s competitive edge and finance the services under the universal service obligation. Taking into account changes in the operating environment and future financial preconditions, Itella's Board has clarified the long-term goals of Itella Group for 2013–2017.

The main focus of financial goals shifts from growth to profitability improvement and to strengthening the Group's solvency. Itella's goal is that its:

• operating profit percentage exceeds 5%;
• return on investment is at least 10%;
• gearing does not exceed 35%;
• annual net sales increases at least to an extent which corresponds to the sector's growth.

In addition, the goal is to maintain a financial position which enables an investment-grade credit rating in the financial market.

Itella launched a cost-cutting program in 2011. The program has achieved estimated savings of €53 million. However, despite the steps taken, Itella's performance is not at the intended level, which means that Itella is launching a new performance improvement program for 2013–2014 to secure its competitiveness and profitability. The goal of the updated program is to achieve cost savings of €100 million.

Related to the long-term goals, Itella will:

• renew its IT operating model
• starts cooperation negotiations to improve efficiency

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Itella Group provides solutions for information and product flow management. Itella operates in the fields of mail communications, logistics, and financial management in Europe and Russia. Net sales in 2012 amounted to EUR 1,947 million. The number of staff is approximately 27,500. Corporate services are delivered under the Itella brand, while the Posti brand is used for services targeted at consumers in Finland. Further information is available online at www.itella.fi.