ATRIA TO ADVANCE IN BALTIC STATES According to a letter of intent signed in October, Atria plans to purchase shares in Estonian company AS Valga Lihatööstus. AS Valga Lihatööstus is the second largest company in its field in Estonia, its turnover is approximately EUR 20 million and it has a local market share of about 15 %. Following the conclusion of this deal Atria will have subsidiaries in both Lithuania and Estonia. The purpose of this strategy is to expand and to achieve a market share in the Baltic States which is comparable to Atria's market share in Finland and Sweden, i.e. approximately 25%. In order to advance in its Baltic Sea strategy, Atria also proposes to make a further acquisition in Russia. Atria has been examining this possibility for more than a year and believes it is now ready to proceed in the matter during next spring. The current year has been successful for Atria. In Finland, Atria has strengthened its market share and the development of both sales volumes and market share have been good. The development of business activities in Sweden have also improved. In addition, the last quarter of this year has been more successful for the Atria Group compared to the previous year, and the result for the whole year will be significantly better than last year. The growth in turnover after three quarters was more than seven per cent. Positive development is also expected to continue next year. Approximately 50% of Atria's turnover, including exports, comes from outside Finland. In the next few years the purpose of the company is to strengthen this development even further. Atria is already the biggest producer of meat products in the Baltic Sea area. ATRIA GROUP PLC Seppo Paatelainen President DISTRIBUTION www.atria.fi Helsinki Exchanges Principal media
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