FINLAND – Raute Corporation, a global leader in machinery and technology for the production of Plywood, recently informed its results for the first half of 2021.

The company reported net sales, EUR 60.2 million (2020: EUR 48.2 million euros), an increase of 25 percent. Order intake was EUR 95 million (2020: 38 million euros). In the period there was operating loss of EUR 3.5 million (2020: -EUR 4.0 million euros), 13 percent less on the comparison period.

Sales in the second quarter were EUR 35.5 million and an operating loss of EUR 1.0 million. Order intake in the second quarter was 65 million euros. The order book at the end of the reporting period stood at 129 million euros.

Raute’s net sales are expected to grow in 2021 and operating profit to improve compared to 2020.

As a result of the exceptional volatility in the market situation caused by the pandemic, many of Raute´s customers, particularly in traditional, developed markets, initially put the brakes on their investments, whereas this year they have accelerated them. In contrast, emerging markets have not yet begun to make a similar recovery from the pandemic. Demand for Raute’s products and services has thus remained at the same level in these markets, and in some it has even slowed. Demand overall has been at a good level in the first half of the year. Mill-scale projects also moved forward during the first six months of the year, alongside smaller projects and modernizations.