GERMANY – Surteco SE, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of decorative surface materials and a producer of technical profiles, was able to significantly improve its results in 2016. A new record value of EUR 639.8 million (2015: EUR 638.4 million) was achieved in group sales.

The preliminary profit before interest and taxes (EBIT) rose by 31% compared to the previous year to EUR 40.9 million. Earnings before taxes (EBT) also increased by 31% to EUR 35.0 million. Both business areas, paper and plastics, contributed to this positive development. The reasons for were higher profitability and the reduced one-time expenses from the concentration of German deco-graphic printing activities.

“On the earnings side, we can be satisfied with the measures already implemented to increase efficiency with the year 2016. In the current fiscal year, the first months show challenges from the raw material side as raw material costs reach a relatively high level in the course of the year,” explained Dr. Herbert Müller, Chairman of the Board of Surteco SE.