CHILE (Notifix).- Total sales for Masisa in the second quarter reached USD 421.7 million, representing an increase of USD 85.7 million (+25.5%) over the same period of 2012. 

Explained mainly by an increase in sales revenue and volumes in most products in the markets of Mexico, Venezuela and Brazil. In the second quarter of 2013 consolidated EBITDA reached USD 88.3 million, representing an increase of 50.1%, due to higher EBITDA in Venezuela, Brazil and Mexico. Net profit after minority interest for the quarter was USD 3.8 million (USD -13.4 million), this decrease occurs despite a significantly higher gross profit (+60,5%) and improved operating results and is due to exchange rate losses from currency devaluation in Chile, Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela, and higher currency adjustments in Venezuela, due to rising inflation and higher income taxes.

Roberto Salas, Masisa CEO, commented, "This has been a quarter of major decisions, such as the announcement of an investment plan to 2015 of USD 600 million, which includes construction of a 200,000 m3 MDF plant with 100,000 m3 lamination capacity. Additionally, we recorded a significant growth in operating income (EBITDA), led by Venezuela, Brazil and Mexico. As per non-operating results in the coming months we will work to mitigate the impacts of devaluations in most markets and high inflation in Venezuela."

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