Successful first half

Rautakesko's net sales in the first six months of 2007 showed an increase of 21.9 per cent over the same period last year to reach a total of  € 1.242 bn. A turnover of € 499.2 mio was recorded in Finland, which amounts to growth of 15.5 per cent. Sales in countries abroad (Norway, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Russia) experienced a rise of 26.7 per cent to € 742.5 mio. The Finnish group also disclosed a sales increase of 17.9 per cent to € 241.6 mio for the month of June.