29th Oct 2008 07:05
October 29, 2008
Acron Group Reduces Output
The Acron Group is announcing a decrease in output at all of its facilities due to the adverse market environment.
Acron (Veliky Novgorod, Russia) is reducing its ammonium output by 30%, cutting output of mineral fertilizers (ammonium nitrate, urea, NPK, dry blended fertilizers) by 50% and reducing output of organic synthesis products and inorganic chemicals by 20%.
Dorogobuzh (Smolensk Region, Russia) is cutting its ammonium output by 15% of total capacity and reducing ammonium nitrate output by 50%.
Hongri Acron (Shandong Province, China) is cutting its complex fertilizers output (NPK and dry blended fertilizers) by 50%.
No job cuts are planed by the Acron Group. The company has sufficient stock on hand to discharge its current contractual obligations.
Chairman of Acron's Board of Directors Alexander Popov commented on the production decrease:
"The situation in both the global and Russian mineral fertilizers markets has become more complicated. The global liquidity crisis has impacted the financial position of agricultural producers; many of them are experiencing difficulties with obtaining debt financing. Moreover, higher yields in the second half of this year caused lower prices for agricultural products globally. Demand for mineral fertilizers has dropped over the past couple of months, which has also resulted in lower prices.
"Given these circumstances we have decided to temporarily reduce production. This schedule will remain in effect through the end of November, at which time we may reverse the decision."
For Further Information:
Acron
Elena Kochubey - Tel: +7 (495) 777 08 65
Head of Corporate Communications
Ilya Popov - Tel: + 7 (495) 411 55 94
Chief Expert
Information and Research Department
Notes to editors
Acron is a leading Russian and global mineral fertiliser producer with a diversified product portfolio consisting of multi-nutrient fertilisers such as NPK and bulk blends, and straight nitrogen-based products such as urea, ammonium nitrate and UAN. In 2007, the Acron group's total fertiliser sales volume was 4.4 million tonnes. The Company's key markets are Russia, China and other fast growing developing markets of South Asia, Latin America and former Soviet Union.
Acron employs over 12,000 people in Russia and China. In 2007 the Acron group's consolidated revenues under IFRS were RUR 31,105 million (US$ 1,267 million), and net income was RUR 5,668 million (US$ 231 million), and for the three months ended 31 March 2008 consolidated revenues under IFRS were RUR 11,661 million (US$ 496 million) and net income was RUR 3,963 million (US$ 169 million). Acron's ordinary shares are listed and traded on the MICEX, RTS and LSE stock exchanges under the symbol "AKRN".
Acron has three production facilities - Acron (Veliky Novgorod, Russia), Dorogobuzh (Smolensk Region, Russia) and Hongri Acron (Shandong Province, China). Acron's logistics and transportation capabilities include its own fleet of railway cars and three sea port trans-shipment facilities on the Baltic Sea - at the Kaliningrad port of Russia, at the Estonian Sillamäe port and at the Estonian Tallinn port. The Company operates distribution networks in Russia and China.
Acron plans to enhance its vertical integration and secure supplies of phosphate and potash inputs through the development of its own mineral resource base. The Company owns licences to develop two apatite-nepheline ore deposits in the Murmansk region and a potassium-magnesium salts deposit in the Perm region (both located in Russia).
Related Shares:
AKRN.L