Somes Dej turnover stagnates

Cellulose and paper manufacturer Somes SA Dej, part of the Serviciile Comerciale Romane (SCR – Romanian Commercial Services) group of firms, saw turnover stagnate at about 8.6 million euros in the first three months of this year, a value similar in euros to that seen in the same period of 2005. However, company representatives estimate that turnover will exceed 39.5 million euros this year, against the 34.7 million euros in 2005. “This progression will depend on our production capacities functioning within the normal parameters, on us keeping and developing our markets and on the European currency maintaining its value,” said Adrian Itu, general manager of Somes Dej. The company’s profitability was affected by the euro’s drop against the RON by 4%. “We tried to fight this phenomenon by adopting a new sales strategy and by refocusing on more lucrative markets, like the domestic market,’ specified Itu. According to him, Somes Dej made an operating profit worth some 1.5 million euros in 2005, and this year the company has a budgeted profit worth 3.5 million euros.