Continued strong performance in the first half of 2006

Message from Erik Olsson, the CEO: 

Posten continues to show a strong financial development. Operating earnings for the first half of the year have nearly tripled compared to the same period last year, reaching SEK 1,070m. A strengthened focus on customers and the momentum of a strong economy mean that we can report growth in volume which has resulted in increased sales. Together with a 5 percent increase in productivity, this has led to an improvement in results. During the second quarter order intake has been strong and there has been a continued high level of business activity.  

After focused change-efforts and two years of positive development, Posten has a strong financial position. After the necessary approvals by the authorities, the acquisition of Strålfors AB was completed on May 22. The acquisition means, among other things, that Posten gains an improved position in the expanding market for information logistics services.  

It has been decided that Posten will change its operational  structure as of January 1, 2007. Messaging, Logistics and Strålfors will be run as three different companies with clear accountability for results. The Cashier Service will not be affected by the change. Aside from simpler and clearer management, our goal is to offer our corporate customers better and more specialized service. Posten will gain a clear position in the various markets while still running traditional postal operations under an unchanged brand, and private people can come to Posten at our service locations just as they do today. 

The complete report can be downloaded from the link below.  

Please direct any questions :   
Posten's Press Office, tel: + 46 (0)8-23 10 10, e-mail: press@posten.se  

Posten connects people and organizations around the world by delivering mail promptly, reliably and cost-effectively. We drive value creation by combining conventional postal services and convenient electronic solutions, and integrating these services into customer businesses. With over 4,000 retail service outlets, we provide daily service to 4.5 million homes and 900,000 businesses in Sweden. Every day we handle close to 20 million pieces of mail. With sales of over SEK 25 billion and roughly 30,000 employees, the group is one of the largest in Sweden. The group's parent, Posten AB (publ), is wholly owned by the Swedish Government. For more information, please visit our website at www.posten.se