Trelleborg Group’s Annual Report for 2009 published
The Trelleborg Annual Report for 2009 has been published today on the website www.trelleborg.com. In the CEO’s comments, President and CEO Peter Nilsson writes that 2009 was an exceptional year. The financial crisis hit with a dramatic decline in demand and, as a result, Trelleborg’s organic sales declined 21 percent, compared with 2008. “By clearly focusing on our most valuable businesses and customers, quickly adjusting capacity and increasing speed in implementing programs in progress, we were successful in adapting operations. It was particularly gratifying that the measures taken over the past several years in Trelleborg Automotive began to show a marked effect. “Our focus on margins was strong during the year. During the fourth quarter 2009, the EBITDA margin was slightly more than 10 percent, compared with slightly less than 4 percent during the fourth quarter 2008. “Times of crisis create new opportunities in many markets. During 2009, we retained or increased market shares in the most important markets, while continuing to improve the geographic balance. “This gives us a favorable starting position for 2010, when we will safeguard our reduced cost base and invest more aggressively in long-term value creation for all stakeholders,” writes Peter Nilsson. A general theme in the annual report are the factors that differentiate Trelleborg from other – its ability to offer its customers different solutions that seal, damp and protect in demanding environments. Examples include a complete sealing system for an 830-meter immersed road tunnel under the Coatzacoalcos River in Mexico, high-precision polymer seals for passenger cars with tougher compounds to withstand tomorrow’s fuels, bio fuels, or dampening rubber slab track bearings that ensure a comfortable train ride for the approximately 3.7 million passengers that use Hong Kong’s railway system every weekday. The Annual Report can be ordered at www.trelleborg.com or from Trelleborg Corporate Communications, Tel: +46 (0)410-670 00 _____________________________________________________________________________________ For further information, contact Trelleborg AB Corporate Communications: +46 (0)410-670 00.