Alma Media Kustannus Oy negotiating to divest its newspapers in Kainuu

Alma Media Corporation                              Press release              4 February 2015 at 11:30 a.m. (EET)

ALMA MEDIA KUSTANNUS OY NEGOTIATING TO DIVEST ITS NEWSPAPERS IN KAINUU  

Alma Media Kustannus Oy has initiated negotiations with Suomalainen Lehtipaino Oy concerning the divestment of Alma Media’s newspaper business in Kainuu. If the divestment is realised, the regional newspaper Kainuun Sanomat, the town paper Koti-Kajaani and three subscribable local papers will be transferred to the buyer approximately by the middle of March.

In Kainuu, Alma Media Kustannus Oy is currently publishing the daily newspaper Kainuun Sanomat and the twice-weekly newspapers Koti-Kajaani, Ylä-Kainuu, Kuhmolainen and Sotkamo, with a total turnover of approximately EUR 11.5 million in 2014.

Managing Director of Alma Media Kustannus Oy, Kari Juutilainen believes that the new owner, a strong local company, can ensure the best possible result by being in charge of the entire newspaper production chain.

“We wanted to be part of an arrangement in which the ownership of the Kainuun Sanomat product family returns to its roots in its home region. Kainuu has a strong identity and deserves media of its own”, Mr Juutilainen says.

Managing Director of Suomalainen Lehtipaino Oy, Tenna Talvi-Pietarila believes that, with the publishing, printing and delivery of newspapers in the same hands, it will be possible to develop innovative business in the region.

“The acquisition is part of our growth strategy, enabling us to offer new service concepts and business models to our customers. As a family company in the Kainuu region, it is important for us to contribute to regional development”, Ms Talvi-Pietarila says.

Suomalainen Lehtipaino Oy, based in Kajaani, is a printing house specialising in newspapers. In addition, the company’s business includes early morning delivery of newspapers in the Kainuu region. The company and its owners currently have small town papers and local papers in Northern Finland.

Alma Media Kustannus Oy publishes Alma Media Group’s regional, local and town papers. Its best-known brands are Aamulehti, Satakunnan Kansa, Lapin Kansa, Kainuun Sanomat and Pohjolan Sanomat.

For more information, please contact:

Kari Juutilainen, Managing Director, Alma Media Kustannus Oy, +358 50 435 4159
Tenna Talvi-Pietarila, Managing Director, Suomalainen Lehtipaino Oy, +358 44 7795220

Alma Media in brief

Alma Media is a media company focusing on digital services and publishing. In addition to news services, the company’s products provide useful information related to lifestyle, career and business development. The services of Alma Media have expanded from Finland to the Nordic countries, the Baltics and Central Europe. The company employs 1,965 professionals (excluding distributors), of whom approximately one third work outside Finland. Alma Media’s revenue in 2013 totalled approximately MEUR 300. Alma Media’s share is listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. Read more at www.almamedia.fi

Share article