Nordecon
Quarterly report

2014 first quarter consolidated interim report (unaudited)

Tallinn, Estonia, 2014-05-08 15:30 CEST -- This announcement includes Nordecon AS’s consolidated financial statements for the first quarter of 2014 (unaudited), overview of the key events influencing the period’s financial result, outlook for the market and description of the main risks.

Interim report is attached to the announcement and is also published on NASDAQ OMX Tallinn and Nordecon’s web page (http://www.nordecon.com/root/en/for-investor/financial-reports/interim-reports).

Period’s investor presentation are attached to the announcement and are also published on Nordecon’s web page (http://www.nordecon.com/root/en/for-investor/investor-presentations).

Condensed consolidated interim statement of financial position

Condensed consolidated interim statement of comprehensive income

Condensed consolidated interim statement of cash flows

¹ Line item Cash receipts from customers includes VAT paid by customers.

² Line item Cash paid to suppliers includes VAT paid.

Financial review

Financial performance

Nordecon group’s gross profit for the first quarter of 2014 amounted to 1,170 thousand euros (Q1 2013: 593 thousand euros) and gross margin was 5% (Q1 2013: 2.2%). The year-over-year rise in gross profit stems from growth in the revenues of the Buildings segment where profitability is less affected by the weather, particularly when the projects are in a stage where the proportion of outdoor work is small.  Moreover, a mild winter allowed the Infrastructure segment to more or less break even while in previous years the first quarter has been characterised by a large share of uncovered fixed costs. 

Most of the first-quarter revenue typically results from contracts started in the previous year. In light of the rise in profitability that was achieved in 2013 the relatively strong beginning of the year was in line with expectations.

In the following quarters, revenue will be increasingly impacted by contracts secured in the current market and competitive environment. The Group’s management highlighted the probability that declining demand would increase competitive pressure already in previous periods (see also the chapters Order book, Description of the main risks, and Outlooks of the Group’s geographical markets) and has adopted measures for maintaining and, possibly, improving profitability in a situation where volumes decrease. We remain aware that rises in input prices pose a risk for long-term contracts and continue to prioritize profitability over revenue growth or retention.

The Group’s administrative expenses for the first quarter of 2014 totalled 1,124 thousand euros, a 9% decrease compared with a year ago (Q1 2013: 1,236 thousand euros). The ratio of administrative expenses to revenue (12 months rolling) was 2.9% (Q1 2013: 3.3%). Our cost-control measures continue to yield strong results – administrative expenses remain below the target ceiling, i.e. 4% of revenue.

The first quarter of 2014 ended in an operating loss of 167 thousand euros (Q1 2013: an operating loss of 542 thousand euros) while EBITDA was positive at 297 thousand euros (Q1 2013: EBITDA was negative at 35 thousand euros).

Adverse movements in the euro/hryvna exchange rate gave rise to exchange losses that were significantly larger than those of previous periods. The Ukrainian hryvna weakened by around 27%, which meant that Group entities whose functional currency is the hryvna had to re-measure their euro-denominated liabilities. The Group’s exchange losses, which are reported within finance costs, totalled 776 thousand euros (Q1 2013: an exchange gain of 41 thousand euros). The same exchange loss gave rise to a positive 721 thousand-euro change in the translation reserve in equity (Q1 2013: a negative change of 53 thousand euros) and the net effect of the exchange loss on the Group’s net assets was 55 thousand euros (Q1 2013: a negative effect of 12 thousand euros).

As a result, the Group’s net loss amounted to 1,026 thousand euros (Q1 2013: a net loss of 652 thousand euros) of which the loss attributable to owners of the parent, Nordecon AS, was 1,074 thousand euros (Q1 2013: a loss of 673 thousand euros).

Cash flows

Operating activities for the first quarter of 2014 resulted in a net cash outflow of 5,181 thousand euros (Q1 2013: a net outflow of 4,181 thousand euros). Negative operating cash flow is typical of the first quarter and stems from the cyclical nature of the construction business. Higher fixed costs and preparations made for more active construction operations in the second quarter cause outflows to exceed inflows. Moreover, as many projects completed in 2013 generated higher than expected profit we paid larger performance bonuses that were accompanied by bigger tax charges. Similarly to previous periods, operating cash flows were influenced by a mismatch in settlement terms: the ones agreed with customers are long and in the case of public procurement mostly extend from 45 to 56 days while subcontractors generally have to be paid within 21 to 45 days.

Investing activities resulted in a net cash outflow of 84 thousand euros (Q1 2013: a net outflow of 195 thousand euros). The largest one-off outflow was a payment of 180 thousand euros made to purchase the remaining shares in the subsidiary AS Eston Ehitus from the non-controlling shareholders (see note 15).

Financing activities resulted in a net cash outflow of 2,606 thousand euros (Q1 2013: a net inflow of 620 thousand euros). Loan repayments exceeded loan receipts by 2,048 thousand euros whereas a year ago loan receipts exceeded loan repayments by 1,349 thousand euros. The changes are mainly attributable to changes in the Group’s overdraft balances. Finance lease payments declined slightly compared with a year ago.

At 31 March 2014, the Group’s cash and cash equivalents totalled 4,702 thousand euros (31 March 2013: 6,474 thousand euros). Management’s comments on liquidity risks are presented in the chapter Description of the main risks.

Key financial figures and ratios

Performance by geographical market

In the first quarter of 2014, around 8% of the Group’s revenue was generated outside Estonia compared with 3% in the first quarter of 2013.

Finnish revenues comprise revenue from concrete works. The contribution of the Finnish market has increased year over year through growth in Finnish revenues, which was amplified by a decrease in the Group’s total revenue. Still, foreign revenues for the year as a whole will probably not exceed the level of 2013 and the annual contributions of the markets are not likely to change.

Geographical diversification of the revenue base is a consciously deployed strategy by which we mitigate the risks resulting from excessive concentration on a single market. Our strategy foresees increasing foreign operations in the longer term; for further information, see the chapter Strategic agenda for 2014-2017. Our vision of the Group’s operations in foreign markets is described in the chapter Outlooks of the Group’s geographical markets.

Performance by business line

Segment revenues

The Group strives to maintain the revenues of its operating segments (Buildings and Infrastructure) in balance as this helps disperse risks and provides better opportunities for continuing operations under stressed circumstances when one segment experiences shrinkage.

The Group’s revenue for the first quarter of 2014 amounted to 23,544 thousand euros, a 13% decrease from the 27,081 thousand euros generated in the first quarter of 2013. A year ago, we were working on three large road construction projects of around 70 million euros whose contribution to first-quarter revenue was considerable. Also, a year ago the volume of projects supported by the EU structural funds was larger. We drew attention to the fact that the volume would decline already last year. The revenues of the Buildings segment increased as expected through a rise in both the number of contracts secured and their average cost.

Consequently, the first-quarter revenues of the two main operating segments, Buildings and Infrastructure, amounted to 18,826 thousand euros and 4,314 thousand euros respectively. The corresponding figures for the first quarter of 2013 were 12,703 thousand euros and 13,157 thousand euros (see note 8). The change in the revenue structure is also reflected in our order book where at period-end 72% of the contracts (in terms of value) belonged to the Buildings segment (Q1 2013: 44%).

* In the directors’ report the Ukrainian buildings segment and the EU buildings segment, which are disclosed separately in the financial statements as required by IFRS 8 Operating Segments, are presented as a single segment.

In the directors’ report, projects have been allocated to operating segments based on their nature (i.e. building or infrastructure construction). In the segment reporting presented in the financial statements, allocation is based on the subsidiaries’ main field of activity (as required by IFRS 8 Operating Segments). In the financial statements, the results of a subsidiary that is primarily engaged in infrastructure construction are presented in the Infrastructure segment. In the directors’ report, the revenues of such a subsidiary are presented based on their nature. The differences between the two reports are not significant because in general Group entities specialise in specific areas except for the subsidiary Nordecon Betoon OÜ that is involved in both building and infrastructure construction. The figures for the parent company are allocated in both parts of the interim report based on the nature of the work.

Sub-segment revenues

Revenue growth did not cause any significant changes in the revenue structure of the Buildings segment. The largest contributors were contracts of the commercial buildings sub-segment under which work was done in Tallinn (e.g. construction of the Stroomi shopping centre) and Narva (construction of an extension to the ASTRI shopping centre). Reconstruction of Estonia Spa in Pärnu is awaiting commencement. We expect the investment activity of private sector customers to remain robust and the contribution of the sub-segment to remain at a similar or even higher level throughout the year.

In the industrial and warehouse facilities sub-segment there was a structural shift. In previous years, on account of EU investment support, most of the revenue resulted from contracts secured from the agricultural sector. By the first quarter of 2014 the proportion of EU-supported projects had decreased visibly and the main contributors were warehouse facilities and logistics centres (e.g. the Smarten logistics centre). The work done for companies engaged in heavy industry increased as well. Estonia’s economic growth is slowing but this has not yet had a negative impact on long-cycle investment plans launched by companies in 2012 and 2013. Accordingly, we expect the revenues of this sub-segment to remain stable.

The competitive situation in the public buildings sub-segment is particularly challenging: it is hard to win a contract without taking excessive risks but our current policy is to avoid such risks. The largest projects of the period were the construction of the Translational Medicine Centre of the University of Tartu, the academic building of the NCO School of the Estonian National Defence College, and Phase V of St Paul’s Church in Tartu. The first two were substantially completed by the end of the first quarter. If competition remains fierce, the contribution of the sub-segment is likely to decline.  

Our apartment building revenues resulted mostly from general contracting. The main contributor was the contract for the construction of an apartment building at Pirita tee 26 in Tallinn which we won last year. In 2014 we secured and began building Phase I in the construction of the Tondi residential quarter in Tallinn. We have also been successful in selling the last apartments and office premises in our own Tigutorn development project. Only one Tigutorn apartment is still for sale. Phase I in our Magasini 29 development project (www.magasini.ee), which was launched in 2013, will be completed in 2014 and we have started building Phase II. We have also re-launched real estate development in Tartu where two new buildings with a total of 35 apartments will be completed in Tammelinn by the end of 2014 (www.tammelinn.ee).

In the first quarter, the main revenue source in the Infrastructure segment was road construction. A relatively warm and snowless winter allowed doing work that needs to be done before asphalt-laying. The average cost of the sub-segment’s contracts has fallen and operating volumes are not going to rise to the level of the previous year. Still, the contribution of the sub-segment will remain the strongest, partly thanks to road maintenance services delivered under long-term contracts in the Järva and Hiiu counties and the Keila maintenance area.

In specialist engineering, a noteworthy project was the construction of the Sõpruse bridge boat harbour in Tartu. There currently is no information about any major projects that might require hydraulic engineering work in 2014. The revenues of the sub-segment may increase through other complex engineering work but such revenue flows are likely to be irregular.

The decline in EU support due to transition from one budget period to another reduced our environmental engineering and utility network construction (other engineering) revenues, which decreased at the same pace as the revenues of other sub-segments. It is likely that the contributions of the two sub-segments will see further contraction because a relatively large portion of their first-quarter revenues resulted from long-term contracts secured in the previous period.  

Order book

At 31 March 2014, our order book stood at 83,864 thousand euros, a 26% decrease compared with a year ago.

The largest decrease in our order book (backlog of contracts signed but not yet performed) occurred in road construction (approx. 61%) where in 2013 the Group was involved in three major public procurement projects that were substantially completed by the year-end. The new national road management plan reflects a change in the structure of road construction investments. In particular, the proportion of large-scale projects is going to diminish. This means that companies engaged in road construction have to face a new reality – the average cost of road construction contracts is going to decrease, which will inevitably intensify competition.

The order books for the construction of utility networks (other engineering sub-segment) and environmental engineering also shrank significantly because in the last year of the EU 2007-2013 budget period  allocations of relevant investment support were expectedly smaller.

On the other hand, the order books of the industrial and warehouse facilities and apartment buildings sub-segments increased significantly, mostly through growth in private sector investments (the order book of the apartment buildings sub-segment does not include the revenue expected from our own development projects).

At the reporting date, contracts secured by the Buildings segment and the Infrastructure segment accounted for 72% and 28% of the order book respectively. This is a radical change: compared with recent years the figures for the two segments have reversed (31 March 2013: 44% and 56% respectively). It is likely that building construction contracts will continue to dominate the order book for the next few years. In the current EU budget period (2014-2020) investments in infrastructure construction, which to date have mostly been made with the support of the EU structural funds, will not be as large as they were in 2007-2013. In particular, this applies to 2014 because the national investment plan has not yet been finalised. Hence, we expect the revenues of the Infrastructure segment to decline in 2014 (for further information, see the Business risks section of the chapter Description of the main risks).

We believe that in a situation where the market is expected to shrink, our priority cannot be increasing the Group’s revenue or maintaining it at the level of 2013. Instead, the main focus must be on improving profitability. We do not consider the present decline in the Group’s order book to be critical. Based on our historical experience, it is quite typical that a significant portion of budgeted operating volumes is secured through new contracts signed during the year. The beginning of the year has already partly confirmed this: from the end of 2013 until the reporting date our order book grew by 30%.  

Between the reporting date (31 March 2014) and the date of release of this report, Group companies have secured additional construction contracts in the region of 5,432 thousand euros.

People

Staff and personnel expenses

In the first quarter of 2014, the Group (the parent and the subsidiaries) employed, on average, 700 people including 341 engineers and technical personnel (ETP). Workforce has decreased compared with a year ago due to shrinkage in operating volumes. When operating volumes grew in 2013, we signed fixed-term (project-based) contracts with the people that were additionally hired. This allowed us to respond flexibly in a situation where it was clear that the work flows of some sub-segments would decrease also in the future.

Average number of the Group’s employees (at the parent and the subsidiaries)

The Group’s personnel expenses for the first quarter of 2014 including all taxes totalled 3,741 thousand euros, 8% down from the comparative period when the figure was 4,056 thousand euros. The decline is mostly attributable to a decrease in the number of staff.

In the first quarter of 2014, the service fees of the members of the council of Nordecon AS amounted to 35 thousand euros and associated social security charges totalled 12 thousand euros (Q1 2013: 37 thousand euros and 12 thousand euros respectively).

The service fees of the members of the board of Nordecon AS amounted to 69 thousand euros and associated social security charges totalled 23 thousand euros (Q1 2013: 51 thousand euros and 17 thousand euros respectively).

Labour productivity and labour cost efficiency

We measure the efficiency of our operating activities using the following productivity and efficiency indicators, which are based on the number of employees and personnel expenses paid:

Description of the main risks

Business risks

The main factors, which affect the Group’s business volumes and profit margins, are competition in the construction market and changes in the demand for construction services.

Compared with a year ago, competition for public sector contracts has intensified visibly. The volume of public sector investments decreased in 2013 and the prospects of maintaining volumes in 2014 are not good. There is strong competitive pressure on builders’ bid prices although input prices continue to climb. Competition is particularly fierce in the building construction segment. We acknowledge the risks inherent in the execution of contracts concluded in an environment of stiff competition. Securing a long-term construction contract at an unreasonably low price in a situation where input prices cannot be lowered noticeably and competition is fierce involves high risk, because the contract may quickly start generating a loss. Thus, in price-setting we currently prioritize profitability over increasing or retaining the revenue figure.

In the next periods, demand for construction services will be driven by public sector investments. In recent years, a major share of investments was made with the assistance of allocations from the EU structural funds that were determined, both in terms of size and timing, by the EU financial framework 2007-2013. In general, the amounts that will be allocated to Estonia during the next EU financial framework (2014-2020) are known (5.9 billion euros of which 4.3 billion euros will be distributed via the EU structural and investment funds) but the volume and schedule of investments involving construction work have not yet been finalised. According to information released to date, the overall volume of construction-related investments is going to decline compared with the previous budget period and 2014 may become a so-called ‘gap’ year between the two budget periods, where most efforts are directed at preparatory administrative activities required for enabling the investments.

In light of the above, it is likely that in 2014 our business volumes will shrink, particularly in the Infrastructure segment where the proportion of public sector investments has been the largest. Our action plan foresees redirecting our resources (including some of the labour of the Infrastructure segment) to increasing the proportion of contracts secured from the private sector. According to our business model, Nordecon operates in all segments of the construction market. Therefore, we are somewhat better positioned than companies that operate in only one narrow (particularly infrastructure) segment.

Our primary goal is to maintain profitability even when construction volumes shrink. In many functions (e.g. support services), our costs have increased considerably more slowly than the volumes of our operating activities. Essentially, our costs are at the levels where they were taken by various cost cuts after the last major downturn in the construction market, which was in 2009-2010. This means that if construction volumes change, we will not have to undertake any extensive restructuring.

The Group’s business is also influenced by the fact that construction operations are seasonal. The impacts of seasonal fluctuations are the strongest in the Infrastructure segment where a lot of work is done outdoors (road and port construction, earthwork, etc). To disperse the risk, we secure road maintenance contracts that generate year-round business. Our business strategy is to counteract seasonal fluctuations in infrastructure operations with building construction that is less exposed to seasonality. Thus, we endeavour to keep the two segments in balance (see also the chapter Performance by business line). In addition, where possible, our companies implement appropriate technical solutions that allow working efficiently even in changeable weather conditions.

Operational risks

To manage their daily construction risks, Group companies purchase contractors’ all risks insurance. Depending on the nature of the project and the requests of the customer, both general frame agreements and special, project-specific contracts are used. In addition, as a rule, subcontractors are required to secure performance of their obligations with a bank guarantee provided to a Group company or the Group retains part of the amount payable until the completion of the contract. To remedy builder-caused deficiencies, which may be detected during the warranty period, Group companies create warranty provisions based on their historical experience. At 31 March 2014, the Group’s warranty provisions (including current and non-current ones) totalled 1,416 thousand euros. The comparative figure for a year ago was 1,377 thousand euros.

In addition to managing risks directly related to construction operations, in recent years we have sought to mitigate the risks inherent in preliminary activities. In particular, we have focused on the bidding process, i.e. compliance with the procurement terms and conditions, and budgeting. The errors made in the planning stage are usually irreversible and, in a situation where the price is contractually fixed, may result in a direct financial loss.

Financial risks

Credit risk

In the reporting period, the Group did not have any significant credit losses. The credit risk exposure of the Group’s receivables continued to be low because the proportion of public sector customers that receive their financing from the state and local governments as well as the EU structural funds continued to be high. The main indicator of the realization of credit risk is settlement default that exceeds 180 days coupled with no activity on the part of the debtor that would confirm the intent to settle.

In the first quarter of 2014, the Group had no impairment losses on receivables (Q1 2013: a gain of 9 thousand euros on reversal of prior period impairment losses).

Liquidity risk

The Group remains exposed to higher than average liquidity risk resulting from a mismatch between the long settlement terms demanded by customers (mostly 45 to 56 days) and increasingly shorter settlement terms negotiated by subcontractors (mostly 21 to 45 days). The Group counteracts the differences in settlement terms by using factoring where possible.

At the reporting date, the Group’s current assets exceeded its current liabilities 1.02-fold (31 March 2013: 1.08-fold). The figure has dropped compared with the previous year due to the reclassification of loans provided to the Group’s Ukrainian associates to non-current assets. The ratio also continues to be influenced by the fact that banks do not refinance interest-bearing liabilities for a period exceeding twelve months.

The political situation in Ukraine has aggravated and we believe that realization of our Ukrainian investment properties may take longer than originally expected. Accordingly, at the reporting date loan receivables from our Ukrainian associates of 10,389 thousand euros were classified as non-current assets.

Interest-bearing liabilities account for a significant proportion of our current liabilities. In accordance with IFRS EU, loan commitments have to be classified into current and non-current liabilities based on the contractual conditions effective at the reporting date. To date, banks have refinanced the Group’s liabilities for periods not exceeding 12 months, which is why a substantial portion of loans are classified as current liabilities although it is probable that some borrowings (particularly overdraft facilities) will be refinanced again when the 12 months have passed. During the first quarter and, partly, after the reporting date, we refinanced (or obtained binding confirmations that in 2014 we can refinance) loans of 18,203 thousand euros which at 31 December 2013 were classified as current liabilities. Out of that amount, repayment of loans of 15,003 thousand was (or is going to be) deferred to 2015. At 31 March 2014 relevant balances amounted to 16,511 thousand euros and 14,867 thousand euros.

At the reporting date, the Group’s cash and cash equivalents totalled 4,702 thousand euros (31 March 2013: 6,474 thousand euros).

Interest rate risk

The Group’s interest-bearing liabilities to banks have both fixed and floating interest rates. Finance lease liabilities have mainly floating interest rates. The base rate for most floating-rate contracts is EURIBOR. At 31 March 2014, the Group’s interest-bearing loans and borrowings totalled 22,953 thousand euros, a decrease of 6,931 thousand euros year over year. Interest expense for the period amounted to 183 thousand euros, 62 thousand euros down from a year ago.

The main source of the Group’s interest rate risk is the possibility of a rapid upsurge in the base rate of floating interest rates (EURIBOR, EONIA or the creditor’s own base rate). In light of the Group’s relatively heavy loan burden this would cause a significant increase in interest expense, which would have an adverse impact on profit. We mitigate the risk by pursuing a policy of entering, where possible, into fixed-rate contracts when the market interest rates are low. However, as regards the loan products offered by banks, observance of the policy has proved difficult and most new contracts have a floating interest rate. The Group does not use derivative financial instruments to hedge its interest rate risk.

Currency risk

As a rule, the prices of construction contracts and subcontracts are fixed in the currency of the host country, i.e. in euros (EUR) and Ukrainian hryvnas (UAH). The total foreign exchange loss on the translation of receivables and liabilities related to operating activities (reported within Other operating expenses in the statement of comprehensive income) amounted to 6 thousand euros (Q1 2013: an exchange gain of 48 thousand euros, was reported within Other operating income).

The change in Ukraine’s political leadership at the beginning of 2014, economic difficulties and dispute with Russia over the autonomous region of Crimea caused the exchange rate of the hryvna to tumble. By the reporting date, the hryvna had weakened against the euro by around 27%. For the Group’s Ukrainian subsidiaries, this meant additional exchange losses on the translation of euro-denominated loan commitments into the local currency. Relevant losses (reported within Finance costs in the statement of comprehensive income) totalled 776 thousand euros (Q1 2013: an exchange gain of 41 thousand euros, was reported within Finance income).

The reciprocal receivables and payables of the Group’s Ukrainian and non-Ukrainian entities (items connected with the construction business) do not give rise to any material exchange losses. Nor do the loans provided to the Group’s Ukrainian associates in euros give rise to exchange losses that ought to be recognised in the Group’s financial statements.

The Group has not acquired any derivatives to hedge its currency risk.

Outlooks of the Group’s geographical markets

Estonia          

Processes and developments characterising the Estonian construction market

• In 2014 public investment will decrease in connection with the change of the EU budget periods because implementation of measures requires time. Although during the 2014-2020 financial framework allocations to Estonia will increase to 5.9 billion euros (2007-2013: 4.6 billion euros), support payments from the structural funds that influence the construction market will not increase. Instead, compared with the previous budget period, there will be an increase in allocations to projects not related to tangible assets.
• Investments made by the largest public sector customers (state-owned real estate company Riigi Kinnisvara AS and the National Road Administration), which will reach the stage of conclusion of a construction contract in 2014 will either not increase significantly or may even decrease. As a result, the Estonian construction market (particularly those segments that are related to infrastructure construction) will shrink. The situation may be somewhat alleviated by private customers’ increasing investment in building construction.
• The construction market will see further consolidation, particularly in the field of general contracting in building construction where the number of medium-sized operators (annual turnover of around 15-40 million euros) is still too large, but the process will be slower than expected. Based on the past three years’ experience it is likely that stiff competition and insufficient demand will induce some general contractors to go slowly out of business or shrink in size rather than merge with another or exit the market. However, it is also increasingly common that two to four smaller players that are seeking ways to remain in business will form a consortium to bid for major procurement contracts, meet tendering terms and secure the required funding.
• Competition will increase in all segments of the construction market. We see a rise in the average number of bidders for a contract and there is already a notable gap between the lowest bids made by the winners and the average bids. The situation is somewhat similar to 2009 when anticipation of a fall in demand caused a rapid decline in construction prices, which triggered a slide in the prices of many construction inputs. However, there are currently no massive decreases in input prices and companies that are banking on this in the bidding phase may run into difficulty. Construction prices and thus also profit margins are under strong competitive pressure.
• In new housing development, the success of a project depends on the developer’s ability to control the input prices included in the business plan and thus to set an affordable sales price. Although the overall situation is improving steadily, the offering of new residential real estate cannot be increased dramatically because the prices of new apartments are relatively high compared with the standard of living and the banks’ lending terms remain strict.  Similarly to previous periods, successful projects include those that create or fill a niche.
• The contracts signed with public sector customers continue to impose tough conditions on construction companies: extensive obligations, strict sanctions, various financial guarantees, long settlement terms, etc. Contractors cannot implement more optimal solutions identified in the construction phase that would reduce the construction or operating costs of the asset without sanctions because procurement terms do not allow this. In a situation where public procurement is based on underbidding, the above factors increase the risks of all market participants. Still, compared to two or three years ago, the situation has improved and in some respects procurement terms have become more reasonable for construction companies.
• The prices of construction inputs will remain relatively stable. In the short term, weakening demand may lower local subcontracting prices. However, taking into account the subcontractors’ financial and human resources, the decline cannot be substantial or long-lasting. In some areas, price fluctuations are be unpredictable and, thus, notably greater and hard or even impossible to influence (oil and metal products, certain materials and equipment).
• Shortage of skilled labour (including project and site managers) will persist. This will undermine not so much the companies’ performance capabilities as the quality of carrying out the construction process, i.e. delivering the service. Shrinkage in construction volumes in Estonia may increase labour supply but not substantially. Labour migration to the Nordic countries will remain steady and although those markets (particularly Finland) may also shrink, the number of job seekers that will return will not increase considerably. Accordingly, the basic wage of construction-sector employees will not decrease. Instead, the rise in the cost of living is creating pressure for a wage increase.

Latvia and Lithuania

In our opinion, the Latvian construction market, which was hit by a severe downturn a few years ago, has not regained sufficient stability and similarly to the Estonian market in 2014 it will probably see shrinkage in public sector demand. Accordingly, it is unlikely that we will enter the Latvian construction market permanently in 2014.

In the next few years we may undertake some projects in Latvia through our Estonian entities, involving partners where necessary. Undertaking a project assumes that it can be performed profitably. The decision does not change our strategy for the future, i.e. the objective of operating in our neighbouring construction markets through local subsidiaries.

The operations of our Lithuanian subsidiary, Nordecon Statyba UAB, are suspended. We are monitoring market developments and may resume our Lithuanian operations on a project basis. Temporary suspension of operations does not cause any major costs for the Group and does not change our strategy for the future, i.e. the objective of operating in the Lithuanian construction market through local subsidiaries.

Ukraine

The Group operates in Ukraine as a general contractor and project manager in the segment of commercial buildings and production facilities, offering its services primarily to foreign private sector customers. In the past three years, there have been practically no private sector customers in that segment. The political situation in Ukraine is worrying and undoubtedly affects adoption of business decisions by construction market participants. Regardless of this, we will continue our business in Ukraine in 2014. Compared with the previous year, our current Ukrainian order book is somewhat larger. We continue to monitor the situation in the Ukrainian construction market closely and will restructure our operations as appropriate. We also continue to seek opportunities for exiting our two conserved real estate projects or signing a construction contract with a potential new owner.

Finland

In the Finnish market, we have been offering mainly subcontracting services in the field of concrete works but based on experience gained, we have also started to deliver some more complex services. The local concrete works market provides opportunities for competing for projects where the customer wishes to purchase all concrete works from one reliable partner. Nevertheless, we will maintain a rational approach and will avoid taking excessive risks. We are not planning to penetrate any other segments of the Finnish construction market (general contracting, project management, etc).

Nordecon is a group of construction companies whose core business is construction project management and general contracting in the buildings and infrastructures segment. Geographically the Group operates in Estonia, Ukraine and Finland. The parent of the Group is Nordecon AS, a company registered and located in Tallinn, Estonia. In addition to the parent company, there are more than 10 subsidiaries in the Group. The consolidated revenue of the Group in 2013 was 174 million euros and net profit 4.6 million euros. Currently Nordecon Group employs more than 700 people. Since 18 May 2006 the company's shares have been quoted in the main list of the NASDAQ OMX Tallinn Stock Exchange.

         Raimo Talviste
         Nordecon AS
         Head of Finance and Investor Relations
         Tel: +372 615 4445
         Email: raimo.talviste@nordecon.com
         www.nordecon.com