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A word from the president
from the Annual Report 2007
CellMark is pleased to have recorded yet another active and commercially successful year. The total volume of products handled by the group grew by half a million tons and for the first time the company broke the 5 million ton mark. Both operating income and net result set new records.
The Recycling, Packaging and Pulp divisions operated in strong markets for their respective segments and showed improved performances year over year. The Recycling division, in particular, had a banner year with a remarkable increase in both volume and margin. The market development for the Paper division was more inconsistent, particularly in North America, where the division had to live with the consequences of significant structural changes in the industry. All product divisions experienced logistic challenges, which are expected to continue for the foreseeable future.
Trade finance had an eventful year and concluded several important transactions with both suppliers and customers. We are proud of the competence and diligence of those managing our risk exposure. The business environment in which we operate is becoming more uncertain, but our capacity to assume and mitigate credit risk continues to be excellent.
Since the inception of CellMark, our focus has been to provide marketing services to the pulp and paper industry. In 2007, we have initiated projects to add new commodities and services to our portfolio. The Pulp and Packaging divisions successfully started business in pulpwood chips and modified starch respectively. In addition, a dedicated corporate business development function was put in place with the ambition to establish trading in wood based bio-fuels and other energy related products.
Our ambition is to constantly improve and refine our global business structure. The most important component of this structure continues to be our team of experienced and efficient co-workers with their ability to develop and support long-term working relationships with suppliers and customers. We wish to be the industry’s obvious choice for marketing related services and we also wish to expand into new areas where our expertise can bring value to our business partners. We fully realize the importance of the support we enjoy and are truly grateful to all of you who have continued to show such confidence in CellMark. Thank you!
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