BRAZIL – Exports of Eucatex grew 28.7% in the first quarter of the year, leading to a 58.1% growth in net revenue from exports.

Fiberboard sales increased 6.9% during the period. Sales of T-HDF, which share in the export mix increased, grew by 575.8%. New changes in production process of this product will further increase its share of exports during the course of 2015.

Eucatex is one of Brazil’s largest manufacturers of panels, also active in the paint and varnish, laminated flooring, wall partitions and doors segments. The focus on export markets is part of the company’s strategy to maintain profitability in an adverse economic scenario. “Apart from increasing exports, which should double this year, we will focus on more profitable products and on implementing new programs to reduce costs and improve our productivity,” said José Antonio Goulart de Carvalho, Executive Vice-President and Investor Relations Officer.

The Company’s sales in the Wood Segment increased by 1.8% in the first quarter of this year compared to the year-ago period. In March, the Company increased the prices of a few of its products in this segment. These were followed by other price increases in April and should help cover the increase in costs, especially of electricity and those resulting from exchange rate variation.

Reflecting the increase in volume and the sales of higher value-added products, net sales revenue from the segment grew 5.7% to R$207.8 million.  In the first quarter of the year, Eucatex posted net revenue of BRR 278 million. Recurring EBITDA totaled BRR 47.8 million, remaining stable in relation to the first quarter of 2014.

Eucatex Results January -March 1Q

Million BRR