Valmet achieves record Q3 profit amid challenging market

Valmet on Wednesday reported a record third-quarter operating profit as cost controls and strength in its process solutions unit offset flat sales.

The Finnish industrial machinery maker said its comparable earnings before interest, taxes, and amortization (EBITA) rose to 159 million euros from 156 million euros a year earlier, on stable net sales of 1.30 billion euros.

The comparable EBITA margin widened to 12.3% from 12.0%, which Chief Executive Thomas Hinnerskov called the company's "best Q3 ever."

Profit growth was driven by its Process Performance Solutions segment, which helped counter a weaker performance in the Biomaterial Solutions and Services division.

Orders received grew 7% organically to 1.08 billion euros, and the company's order backlog stood at 4.53 billion euros at the end of the quarter, up 28% year-on-year.

"Our ‘Lead the Way’ strategy, launched earlier this year, is sharpening our priorities to accelerate growth, improve cost competitiveness, and reinforce accountability, speed, and high performance through a simpler operating model," Hinnerskov said in a statement.

Valmet reiterated its full-year guidance, expecting 2025 net sales and comparable EBITA to remain at the previous year's level.