Suominen Corp to split nonwovens business

Through the changes, Suominen aims to achieve a more focused, transparent and agile operating model, which enables the company to further strengthen its ability to generate new business.

“Reshaping the structure and operating model is an essential and at the same time logical step in the strategic path we have chosen. To implement our strategy, and particularly its “In the Lead” cornerstone, a significant change in our way of working is required.

Among other important objectives, we seek to speed up our capability to create new business and launch new products with higher value add to the market. With the more focused and customer derived operating model, we further enhance our ability to cater for specific customer needs and thereby accelerate both our own and our customers’ business; and ultimately improve our profitability”, says Nina Kopola, President & CEO of Suominen Corporation.

Nonwovens business unit will be divided into two business areas

Suominen’s largest business unit, Nonwovens, will be divided into two new business areas, Convenience and Care, as of 1 January 2014.

Convenience business area will focus on serving customers in wiping, travel and catering businesses. Based on 2012 sales, the annual net sales of Convenience were approximately EUR 322 million. Care business area will focus on customers in medical and hygiene businesses.

Based on 2012 sales, the annual net sales of Care were approximately EUR 36 million. Both Convenience and Care will be reported under Nonwovens segment as of 1 January 2014. Factually, the content of the Nonwovens segment is equal to that of the current Wiping segment.

Suominen’s other business unit, Flexibles, has been restructured in order to strengthen its ability to serve its customers better and in a more efficient way. Flexibles will focus on four businesses: bread packaging, tissue wrapping, retail carrier bags and special products. Flexibles business area continues to be reported under Flexibles segment. The net sales of Flexibles were EUR 53 million in 2012.