Sanoma, a division of SanomaWSOY Group, has divested the operations of its newspaper delivery company Leijonajakelu Oy to Finland Post Corporation. Leijonajakelu is responsible for the early morning delivery of newspapers in Southern Finland and the national morning distribution of Helsingin Sanomat and Taloussanomat.
With the divestment, Sanoma aims to secure the quality of early morning delivery, which is an important strength of Finnish newspapers. Selling the delivery operations to the Finland's leading messaging and logistics company improves the possibility to develop the quality and efficiency of Leijonajakelu. Sanoma will continue close cooperation with Leijonajakelu.
The arrangement will not decrease the number of employees in Leijonajakelu. The employees will transfer to the service of Finland Post retaining their existing employment benefits. Mr. Ismo Heikkonen will continue as Managing Director of Leijonajakelu.
The net sales at Leijonajakelu amounted to EUR 69.7 million in 2002, and the company employs some 1,800 distribution operatives and 100 other employees.
The divestment is subject to the approval of the competition authorities.
Sanoma and Finland Post will arrange a press conference in Finnish at 2 p.m. Finnish time in Sanoma House, Töölönlahdenkatu 2, in Helsinki.
For additional information: Mr. Pekka Soini, Chairman of the Board, Leijonajakelu (tel. +358 9 122 3260) and
Mr. Juha Salovaara, Vice President, Finland Post Corporation, Messaging (tel. +358 20 451 4647)
SANOMAWSOY CORPORATION
Raija Kariola
Vice President
Investor Relations and Group Communications
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