The Finnish Kesko group’s building materials and DIY division, Rautakesko, increased net sales in the first quarter of 2003 by 18 per cent over the same period last year. The foreign subsidiaries made a contribution of € 33.3 mio to the total of € 181 mio. The Lithuanian Senukai group alone, in which Kesko had acquired a majority holding in March, contributed sales of € seven mio. Whereas Rautakesko recorded good sales on a low level in Latvia, sales were slightly down in Estonia. In terms of operating profit the division is again in the black with a figure of € 0.4 mio in a quarterly comparison (first quarter 2002: -€ 1.7 mio).
Further information on the purchase of Senukai and Rautakesko sales in the individual countries can be found at DIYplus under Trade topics (v. Other articles on this topic).