Roof manufacturer Ruukki expects 20-30% higher sales

Ruukki Romania, local branch of Finnish group Rautaruukki, has budgeted an around 20-30% sales increase for this year, due to the development of the logistics sector, which will be less affected by the financial crisis. The Finnish group has yet to release its financial results for 2008, but, considering the market shares it is aiming for this year, it could reach an around 50 million-euro turnover. Ruukki finalised a 35 million-euro investment last year, in the construction of a plant in Bolintin Deal, one of the largest production facilities outside Finland, which will allow it to be more aggressive in approaching the segments where it is present - metal structures, thermal-insulating panels, metal profiles and tile roofing. "This year will be very interesting in terms of how companies respond to the crisis. Those who will succeed in quickly changing their strategies, in sync with the market, will stand to gain. That is why we will be taking small steps, as part of our short-term strategies," said Zoltan Szoke, the new country sales manager of Ruukki Romania, who replaced Valentin Nita on January 1st.