Electrolux to lay off 3000

Demand for appliances in Europe and North America declined considerably in the two last weeks of November. The weak market has had a negative impact on Electrolux sales volumes and product mix during the fourth quarter. As of November 2008, operating income, excluding items affecting comparability, amounted to approximately SEK 2.7 billion. In December, demand for appliances in Europe and North America continues to show a sharp decline. As sales in December are seasonally low, there is a risk that operating income for the month will be slightly negative. As a consequence of these negative developments for the fourth quarter, it is no longer possible to achieve the outlook of an operating income in 2008 of SEK 3.3 - 3.9 billion, excluding items affecting comparability. Electrolux has throughout 2008 introduced a number of cost-saving activities, including reduction of the number of employees. Due to the negative development on the main markets, cost-saving activities will be further intensified. Measures have been launched to reduce the number of employees by more than 3,000 in the fourth quarter of 2008 and continue in 2009. All operations on a global basis are affected. The costs for these actions are approximately SEK 1.2 billion, and will be charged against operating income before items affecting comparability in the fourth quarter of 2008. The savings are expected to amount to approximately SEK 1.1 billion on a yearly basis, with full effect as of 2010. In addition to these activities, Electrolux continues to move production capacity to low-cost countries in accordance with the restructuring program launched in 2004. The program, which will be completed in 2009 and 2010, will further reduce the number of employees.