Ponsse Oyj — Interim / Quarterly Report 2012

Aug 7, 2012

PONSSE'S INTERIM REPORT FOR 1 JANUARY – 30 JUNE 2012

PONSSE'S INTERIM REPORT FOR 1 JANUARY – 30 JUNE 2012

Vieremä, Finland, 2012-08-07 08:00 CEST (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

PONSSE PLC STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 7 AUGUST 2012 AT 9:00 A.M.

PONSSE'S INTERIM REPORT FOR 1 JANUARY - 30 JUNE 2012

• Net sales amounted to EUR 151.1 (H1/2011 153.2) million.

• Q2 net sales were EUR 74.3 (Q2/2011 81.3) million.

• Operating result totalled EUR 10.7 (H1/2011 10.4) million, equalling 7.1
  (6.8) per cent of net sales.

• Q2 operating result was EUR 6.2 (Q2/2011 5.0) million, equalling 8.3 (6.1)
  per cent of net sales.

• Profit before taxes was EUR 9.3 (H1/2011 7.0) million.

• Cash flow from business operations was positive at EUR 0.1 (6.5) million.

• Earnings per share were EUR 0.20 (0.06).

• Equity ratio was 41.5 (40.8) per cent.

• Order books stood at EUR 56.0 (112.1) million.

PRESIDENT AND CEO JUHO NUMMELA:

Forest machines were manufactured at planned capacity during the period under
review. However, the general economic uncertainty and the normally poor demand
in the second quarter pushed the company's order books lower. At period end,
the company's order books amounted to EUR 56.0 (112.1) million, which was 50.0
per cent less than in the exceptionally good comparison period. However, the
demand for forest machines picked up towards the end of the period. The current
order books enable normal factory operations and usual delivery periods.

Net sales for the past quarter amounted to EUR 74.3 (81.3) million,
representing a change of -8.5 per cent compared with the corresponding period.
Net sales of the service business were at the same level as in the comparison
period. Net sales for the first half of the year stood at EUR 151.1 million,
i.e. 1.4 per cent less than in the comparison period. Despite the challenging
market situation, net sales continued at a good level and the increase in
trade-in machine sales helped to improve them.

The operating result amounted to EUR 6.2 (5.0) million during the second
quarter, equalling 8.3 (6.1) per cent of net sales. The adjustments for other
operating costs carried out during the past quarter succeeded well. Operating
costs of the past quarter (staff costs, depreciation and amortisation and other
operating costs) decreased by 11.3 per cent compared with the corresponding
period.

Cash flow from business operations during the period under review was positive
at EUR 0.1 (6.5) million. The deliveries of finished and used forest machines
and the release of capital from raw materials and consumables strengthened the
cash flow from business operations of the period under review. The stock of new
products consisted of machines on their way to customers and was at a normal
level.

During the past quarter, investments in the Iisalmi logistics centre in
Finland, the Pitkäranta service point in Russia and the Jyväskylä service point
in Finland were begun. All of the investments will be completed in early 2013.

NET SALES

Consolidated net sales for the period under review amounted to EUR 151.2
(153.2) million, i.e. 1.4 per cent less than in the comparison period.
International business operations accounted for 64.7 (67.7) per cent of total
net sales.

Net sales were regionally distributed as follows: Northern Europe 56.5 (51.9)
per cent, Central and Southern Europe 18.7 (19.6) per cent, Russia and Asia
10.9 (13.7) per cent, North and South America 13.9 (14.8) per cent and other
countries 0.0 (0.0) per cent.

PROFIT PERFORMANCE

The operating result was EUR 10.7 (10.4) million, equalling 7.1 (6.8) per cent
of net sales in the period under review. Consolidated return on capital
employed (ROCE) stood at 17.1 (14.1) per cent.

Staff costs for the period under review totalled EUR 26.7 (25.4) million. Other
operating expenses were EUR 15.3 (18.4) million. The net total of financial
income and expenses was EUR -1.4 (-3.3) million. Exchange rate gains and losses
due to currency rate fluctuations were recognised under financial items, and
their net impact during the period under review totalled EUR -0.6 (-2.6)
million. Profit for the period totalled EUR 6.4 (2.6) million. Diluted and
undiluted earnings per share (EPS) were EUR 0.20 (0.06). The interest on the
subordinated loan for the period, less tax, has been taken into account in the
calculation of EPS.

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES

At the end of the period under review, the total of consolidated statements of
financial position amounted to EUR 177.8 (164.6) million. Inventories stood at
EUR 92.7 (81.2) million. Trade receivables totalled EUR 24.4 (29.7) million,
while liquid assets stood at EUR 7.7 (6.7) million. Group shareholders' equity
stood at EUR 73.2 (66.7) million and parent company shareholders' equity at EUR
73,6 (58.6) million. Group shareholders' equity includes a hybrid loan of EUR
19 million issued on 31 March 2009. The interest paid on the hybrid loan (EUR
6.8 million) and the allocated interest for the following year according to the
dividend distribution decision (EUR 2.3 million), totalling EUR 9.1 million,
less tax, are recognised as a deduction from Group equity. The amount of
interest-bearing liabilities was EUR 48.0 (43.6) million. The company has used
48 per cent of its credit facility limit. The parent company's net receivables
from other Group companies stood at EUR 78.2 (66.1) million. The parent
company's receivables from subsidiaries mainly consisted of trade receivables.
Consolidated net liabilities totalled EUR 38.8 (35.8) million, and the
debt-equity ratio (gearing) was 65.6 (65.3) per cent. The equity ratio stood at
41.5 (40.8) per cent at the end of the period under review.

Cash flow from business operations amounted to EUR 0.1 (6.5) million. Cash flow
from investment activities amounted to EUR -6.0 (-3.7) million.

ORDER INTAKE AND ORDER BOOKS

Order intake for the period under review totalled EUR 136.4 (197.8) million,
while the period-end order books stood at EUR 56.0 (112.1) million.

DISTRIBUTION NETWORK

No changes took place in the Group structure during the period under review.

The subsidiaries included in the Ponsse Group are: Epec Oy, Finland; OOO
Ponsse, Russia; Ponsse AB, Sweden; Ponsse AS, Norway; Ponsse Asia-Pacific Ltd,
Hong Kong; Ponsse China Ltd, China; Ponsse Latin America Ltda, Brazil; Ponsse
North America, Inc., United States; Ponssé S.A.S., France; Ponsse UK Ltd,
United Kingdom; and Ponsse Uruguay S.A., Uruguay. Sunit Oy, based in Kajaani,
Finland, is an affiliated company in which Ponsse Plc has a holding of 34 per
cent.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AND R&D

During the period under review, the Group's R&D expenses totalled EUR 4.7 (3.7)
million, of which EUR 1.3 (0.8) million was capitalised.

Capital expenditure totalled EUR 6.0 (3.7) million. It mainly consisted of
ordinary maintenance and replacement investments of machinery and equipment.

MANAGEMENT

The following persons were members of the Management Team: Juho Nummela,
President and CEO, acting as the chairman; Pasi Arajärvi, Purchasing and
Logistics Director; Juha Haverinen, Factory Director; Petri Härkönen, CFO; Juha
Inberg, Technology and R&D Director; Timo Karppinen, Executive Director,
Corporate Development and Strategy; Tapio Mertanen, Service Director; Paula
Oksman, HR Director and Jarmo Vidgrén, Deputy CEO, Sales and Marketing
Director. The company management has regular management liability insurance.

The area director organisation of sales is lead by Jarmo Vidgrén, Group's Sales
and Marketing Director and Tapio Mertanen, Service Director. The geographical
distribution and the responsible persons are presented below:

Northern Europe: Jarmo Vidgrén (Finland), Eero Lukkarinen (Sweden, Denmark) and
Sigurd Skotte (Norway),

Central and Southern Europe: Janne Vidgrén (Austria, Poland, Romania, Germany,
the Czech Republic and Hungary), Clément Puybaret (France), Jussi Hentunen
(Spain, Italy, Portugal and Norrbotten/Sweden) and Gary Glendinning (the United
Kingdom),

Russia and Asia: Jaakko Laurila (Russia, Belarus), Norbert Schalkx (Japan and
the Baltic countries) and Risto Kääriäinen (China),

North and South America: Pekka Ruuskanen (the United States) Marko Mattila
(North American dealers), Teemu Raitis (Brazil) and Martin Toledo (Uruguay).

M.Sc. (Eng.) and M.Sc. (Econ.) Teemu Raitis took up his post as the President
and CEO of Ponsse Latin America Ltda on 10 May 2012. The release was issued on
17 February 2012.

PERSONNEL

The Group had an average staff of 994 (920) during the period under review and
employed 1024 (971) people at the end of the period under review.

SHARE PERFORMANCE

The company's registered share capital consists of 28,000,000 shares. The
trading volume of Ponsse Plc shares for 1 January - 30 June 2012 totalled
809,012 shares, accounting for 2.9 per cent of the total number of shares.
Share net sales came to EUR 6.2 million, with the period's lowest and highest
share prices amounting to EUR 6.11 and EUR 8.55, respectively.

At the end of the period under review, the share price stood at EUR 6.80 and
market capitalisation was EUR 190.4 million.

At the end of the period under review, the company held 212,900 treasury shares.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

A separate release was issued on 17 April 2012 regarding the authorisations
given to the Board of Directors and other resolutions by the AGM.

GOVERNANCE

In its decision-making and administration, the company observes the Finnish
Limited Liability Companies Act, other regulations governing publicly listed
companies and the company's Articles of Association. The company's Board of
Directors has adopted the Code of Governance that complies with the Finnish
Corporate Governance Code approved by the Board of the Securities Market
Association in 2010. The purpose of the code is to ensure that the company is
professionally managed and that its business principles and practices are of a
high ethical and professional standard.

The Code of Governance is available on Ponsse's website in the Investors
section.

RISK MANAGEMENT

Risk management is based on the company's values, as well as strategic and
financial objectives. Risk management aims to support the achievement of the
objectives specified in the company's strategy, as well as to ensure the
financial development of the company and the continuity of its business.

Furthermore, risk management aims to identify, assess and monitor
business-related risks which may influence the achievement of the company's
strategic and financial goals or the continuity of its business. Decisions on
the necessary measures to anticipate risks and react to observed risks are made
on the basis of this information.

Risk management is a part of regular daily business, and it is also included in
the management system. Risk management is controlled by the risk management
policy approved by the Board.

A risk is any event that may prevent the company from reaching its objectives
or that threatens the continuity of business. On the other hand, a risk may
also be a positive event, in which case the risk is treated as an opportunity.
Each risk is assessed on the basis of its impact and probability. Methods of
risk management include avoiding, mitigating and transferring risks. Risks can
also be managed by controlling and minimising their impact.

SHORT-TERM RISKS AND THEIR MANAGEMENT

The rapid escalation of the problems in the economies of Europe and the United
States in the financial market may have an impact on the availability of
customer financing.

The parent company monitors the changes in the Group's internal and external
trade receivables and the associated risk of impairment.

The key objective of the company's financial risk management policy is to
manage liquidity, interest and currency risks. The company ensures its
liquidity through credit limit facilities agreed with a number of financial
institutions. The effect of adverse changes in interest rates is minimised by
utilising credit linked to different reference rates and by concluding interest
rate swaps. The effects of currency rate fluctuations are mitigated through
derivative contracts.

Changes taking place in the fiscal and customs legislation in countries to
which Ponsse exports may hamper the company's export trade or its
profitability.

OUTLOOK FOR THE FUTURE

The Group's operating result in euros is expected to remain at the same level
as in 2011.

Exacerbation of the problems in the economy or an extension of the current
economic situation may affect the making of investment decisions on forest
machines and lead to weakening demand.

The factory and service operate normally at planned capacity. The development
of operating costs is monitored in an enhanced manner, and any decisions to
initiate investments will be made with discretion.

PONSSE GROUP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (EUR 1,000)

                                                              IFRS      IFRS
                                                            1-6/12    1-6/11

NET SALES 151,090 153,206
Increase (+)/decrease (-) in inventories of finished goods 8,527 6,943
and work in progress
Other operating income 319 437
Raw materials and services -104,443 -103,895
Expenditure on employment-related benefits -26,688 -25,371
Depreciation and amortisation -2,760 -2,553
Other operating expenses -15,337 -18,388
OPERATING RESULT 10,708 10,379
Share of results of associated companies -53 -144
Financial income and expenses -1,386 -3,270
RESULT BEFORE TAXES 9,269 6,965
Income taxes -2,898 -4,334
NET RESULT FOR THE PERIOD 6,371 2,631
OTHER ITEMS INCLUDED IN TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE RESULT:
Translation differences related to foreign units -314 336
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE RESULT FOR THE PERIOD 6,057 2,967
Diluted and undiluted earnings per share * 0.20 0.06

                                                               IFRS     IFRS
                                                             4-6/12   4-6/11

NET SALES 74,334 81,273
Increase (+)/decrease (-) in inventories of finished goods and 5,100 828
work in progress
Other operating income 178 248
Raw materials and services -51,314 -52,441
Expenditure on employment-related benefits -13,596 -13,016
Depreciation and amortisation -1,391 -1,292
Other operating expenses -7,134 -10,632
OPERATING RESULT 6,177 4,969
Share of results of associated companies -9 -93
Financial income and expenses -931 -936
RESULT BEFORE TAXES 5,236 3,939
Income taxes -1,685 -1,417
NET RESULT FOR THE PERIOD 3,551 2,522
OTHER ITEMS INCLUDED IN TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE RESULT:
Translation differences related to foreign units -617 -266
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE RESULT FOR THE PERIOD 2,934 2,256
Diluted and undiluted earnings per share * 0.11 0.08

* The interest on the subordinated loan for the period, less tax, was taken
into account in this figure.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION (EUR 1,000)

                                              IFRS      IFRS

ASSETS 30.6.12 31.12.11
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Intangible assets 10,224 9,057
Goodwill 3,440 3,440
Property, plant and equipment 28,266 26,165
Financial assets 111 111
Investments in associated companies 1,122 1,294
Non-current receivables 1,310 1,535
Deferred tax assets 2,860 2,826
TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS 47,333 44,428
CURRENT ASSETS
Inventories 92,670 80,475
Trade receivables 24,407 28,258
Income tax receivables 836 4
Other current receivables 4,872 4,499
Cash and cash equivalents 7,694 16,267
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 130,480 129,504
TOTAL ASSETS 177,813 173,932
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Share capital 7,000 7,000
Other reserves 19,030 19,030
Translation differences -2,289 -1,975
Treasury shares -2,228 -2,228
Retained earnings 51,661 56,736
EQUITY OWNED BY PARENT COMPANY SHAREHOLDERS 73,174 78,563
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
Interest-bearing liabilities 18,734 18,630
Deferred tax liabilities 430 1,110
Other non-current liabilities 20 20
TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 19,184 19,760
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Interest-bearing liabilities 29,248 20,434
Provisions 4,801 4,627
Tax liabilities for the period 364 3,527
Trade creditors and other current liabilities 51,041 47,022
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 85,454 75,609
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 177,813 173,932

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (EUR 1,000)

                                                  IFRS    IFRS
                                                1-6/12  1-6/11

CASH FLOW FROM BUSINESS OPERATIONS:
Net result for the period 6,371 2,631
Adjustments:
Financial income and expenses 1,386 3,270
Share of the result of associated companies 53 144
Depreciation and amortisation 2,760 2,553
Income taxes 3,175 4,425
Other adjustments -538 695
Cash flow before changes in working capital 13,207 13,718
Change in working capital:
Change in trade receivables and other receivables 3,674 2,554
Change in inventories -12,195 -8,849
Change in trade creditors and other liabilities 3,120 3,193
Change in provisions for liabilities and charges 174 -215
Interest received 67 91
Interest paid -565 -650
Other financial items -359 427
Income taxes paid -7,012 -3,739
NET CASH FLOW FROM BUSINESS OPERATIONS (A) 111 6,530
CASH FLOW FROM INVESTMENTS
Investments in tangible and intangible assets -6,027 -3,661
CASH OUTFLOW FROM INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES (B) -6,027 -3,661
FINANCING
Acquisition of treasury shares 0 0
Hybrid loan 0 0
Interest paid, hybrid loan -1,136 -1,137
Withdrawal/Repayment of current loans 8,502 3,877
Change in current interest-bearing receivables 54 62
Withdrawal/Repayment of non-current loans -7 3,127
Payment of finance lease liabilities 111 -311
Change in non-current receivables 69 50
Dividends paid -9,725 -9,725
NET CASH OUTFLOW FROM FINANCING (C) -2,133 -4,059
Change in cash and cash equivalents (A+B+C) -8,050 -1,189
Cash and cash equivalents on 1 January 16,267 11,036
Impact of exchange rate changes -524 -3,162
Cash and cash equivalents on 30 June 7,694 6,686

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (EUR 1,000)

A = Share capital
B = Share premium and other reserves
C = Translation differences
D = Treasury shares
E = Retained earnings
F = Total shareholders' equity
EQUITY OWNED BY PARENT COMPANY SHAREHOLDERS
A B C D E F
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 1 JAN 2012 7,000 19,030 -1,975 -2,228 56,736 78,563
Translation differences -314 -314
Result for the period 6,371 6,371
Total comprehensive income for -314 6,371 6,057
the period
Direct entries to retained -1,721 -1,721
earnings *
Dividend distribution -9,725 -9,725
Purchase of treasury shares 0
Other changes 0
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 30 JUN 2012 7,000 19,030 -2,289 -2,228 51,661 73,174
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 1 JAN 2011 7,000 19,030 -1,032 -2,228 52,396 75,166
Translation differences 336 336
Result for the period 2,631 2,631
Total comprehensive income for 336 2,631 2,967
the period
Direct entries to retained -1,687 -1,687
earnings *
Dividend distribution -9,725 -9,725
Purchase of treasury shares 0
Other changes 0
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 30 JUN 2011 7,000 19,030 -696 -2,228 43,615 66,721
* Consists of the interest paid for the hybrid loan classified as equity.

SEGMENT INFORMATION (EUR 1,000)

OPERATING SEGMENTS
1-6/2012 Northern Central and Russia North and Elimin Total
Europe Southern and Asia South ation
Europe America
Net sales of 117,569 28,334 16,645 21,158 183,707
the segment
Sales between -32,262 -93 -136 -151 -32,643
segments
Unallocated 26
sales
NET SALES FROM 85,307 28,241 16,508 21,007 151,090
EXTERNAL
CUSTOMERS
Operating 5,124 4,660 2,335 232 12,350
result of the
segment
Unallocated -1,642
items
OPERATING 5,124 4,660 2,335 232 10,708
RESULT
OPERATING SEGMENTS
1-6/2011 Northern Central and Russia North and Elimin Total
Europe Southern and Asia South ation
Europe America
Net sales of 114,584 30,089 21,238 22,801 188,712
the segment
Sales between -35,066 -99 -195 -155 -35,515
segments
Unallocated 9
sales
NET SALES FROM 79,518 29,990 21,043 22,646 153,206
EXTERNAL
CUSTOMERS
Operating 5,958 5,180 3,116 -326 13,928
result of the
segment
Unallocated -3,549
items
OPERATING 5,958 5,180 3,116 -326 10,379
RESULT

                                30.6.12  30.6.11  31.12.11

1. LEASING COMMITMENTS (EUR 1,000) 3,149 4,783 4,085

2. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (EUR 1,000) 30.6.12 30.6.11 31.12.11
   Guarantees given on behalf of others 701 356 859
   Repurchase commitments 1,540 2,363 1,765
   Other commitments 4,129 3,205 3,391
   TOTAL 6,369 5,924 6,014

3. PROVISIONS (EUR 1,000) Guarantee provision
   1.1.2012 4,627
   Provisions added 353
   Provisions cancelled -179
   30.6.2012 4,801

4. DIVIDENDS PAID (EUR 1,000) 30.6.12 30.6.11
   Dividends per share EUR 0.35 (EUR 0.35) 9,725 9,725

5. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (EUR 1,000) 1-6/12 1-6/11
   Increase 4,228 4,036
   Decrease -105 -1,032
   TOTAL 4,124 3,004

6. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 1-6/12 1-6/11
   Management's employment-related benefits (EUR 1,000)
   Salaries and other short-term employment-related benefits 1,552 1,627
   Board of Directors' emoluments 123 107

KEY FIGURES AND RATIOS 30.6.12 30.6.11 31.12.11
R&D expenditure, MEUR 4.7 3.7 8.8
Capital expenditure, MEUR 6.0 3.7 9.4
as % of net sales 4.0 2.4 2.9
Average number of employees 994 920 948
Order books, MEUR 56.0 112.1 71.9
Equity ratio, % 41.5 40.8 45.2
Diluted and undiluted earnings per share (EUR) 0.20 0.06 0.47
Equity per share (EUR) 2.61 2.38 2.81

FORMULAE FOR FINANCIAL INDICATORS

Return on capital employed, %:

Result before tax + financial expenses

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shareholder´s equity + interest-bearing financial liabilities (average during
the year) * 100

Average number of employees:

Average of the number of personnel at the end of each month. The calculation
has been adjusted for part-time employees.

Gearing, %:

Interest-bearing financial liabilities

---

Shareholders' equity * 100

Equity ratio, %:

Shareholders' equity + Non-controlling interests

---

Balance sheet total - advance payments received * 100

Earnings per share:

Net income for the period - Non-controlling interests - Interest on hybrid loan
for the period less tax

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Average number of shares during the accounting period, adjusted for share issues

Equity per share:

Shareholders' equity

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Number of shares on the balance sheet date, adjusted for share issues

ORDER INTAKE, MEUR 1-6/12 1-6/11 1-12/11
Ponsse Group 136.4 197.8 332.6

This interim report has been prepared in accordance with the IFRS recognition
and measurement principles and it complies with all of the requirements of IAS
34. The same accounting principles were observed for the interim report as for
the annual financial statements dated 31 December 2011.

The above figures have not been audited.

The above figures have been rounded and may therefore differ from those given
in the official financial statements.

This communication includes future-oriented statements that are based on the
assumptions currently made by the company's management and its current
decisions and plans. Although the management believes that the future
expectations are well founded, there is no certainty that these expectations
will prove to be correct. This is why the results may significantly deviate
from the assumptions included in the future-oriented statements as a result of,
among other things, changes in the economy, markets, competitive conditions,
legislation or currency exchange rates.

Vieremä, 7 August 2012

PONSSE PLC

Juho Nummela

President and CEO

FURTHER INFORMATION

Juho Nummela, President and CEO, tel. +358 20 768 8914 or +358 400 495 690

Petri Härkönen, CFO, tel. +358 20 768 8608 or +358 50 409 8362

DISTRIBUTION

NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd

Principal media

www.ponsse.com

Ponsse Plc is a company specialising in the sales, manufacture, servicing and
technology of cut-to-length method forest machines and is driven by genuine
interest in its customers and their business. Ponsse develops and manufactures
sustainable and innovative harvesting solutions based on customers' needs.

The company was established by forest machine entrepreneur Einari Vidgrén in
1970, and it has been a leader in timber harvesting solutions based on the
cut-to-length method ever since. Ponsse is headquartered in Vieremä, Finland.
The company's shares are quoted on the NASDAQ OMX Nordic List.

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