Finnish steelmaker Rautaruukki has announced that its Ruukki Construction division is to improve production efficiency and optimize production capacity and logistics in the Central Eastern European region in scope of its new corporate operational program.
Within the framework of its new policy, the smaller profiling unit at Ostrava, Czech Republic, which has been operating on rented premises since 2002, will be closed and the machinery will be gradually relocated to Ruukki's larger plants in Hungary, Poland and Romania by the end of the Q1 2009. Thus, roofing and cladding profiles for the Czech and Slovak markets will be delivered from Hungary and Poland in the future.
As regards Poland, a profitability program has been launched at the Oborniki steel frame and sandwich panel plant. The program, which will last for nine months, will enhance processes and improve the plant's earnings performance.
In a statement filed to the stock exchange, Rautaruukki said these actions are being taken with the aim of an annual improvement in Ruukki Construction's operating profit of more than €3 million as of 2009.