Kaukomarkkinat to streamline its structure

Kaukomarkkinat Oy, part of Kesko Group, is preparing to streamline its organisation in Finland. The Kaukomarkkinat Group companies currently operating in Finland are Kaukomarkkinat Oy, Telko Oy, LT-Tukku Oy, LT-Kone Oy, Intotel Oy and Glastech Oy. The arrangements are planned to take effect by the end of June 2006.

These changes are part of a major rearrangement and structural reform, which will take place within Kaukomarkkinat Group. At turn of year, the Group's optical division will transfer within Kesko Group to Keswell Ltd, with the personnel of about 180 transferring under their previous conditions. The rearrangements are estimated to involve a reduction of some 50 employments.

Appointments taking effect in connection with the rearrangements:

Mikko Teittinen, Technician, 38, has been appointed Senior Vice President responsible for Industrial raw materials and services, and member of the Kaukomarkkinat Management Group.

Matti Väänänen, M.Sc. (Agr. & For.), 48, has been appointed Senior Vice President responsible for Food industry, and member of the Kaukomarkkinat Management Group. He will also continue as the Managing Director of LT-Tukku Oy.

Magnus Engblom, BEng, 46, has been appointed Senior Vice President responsible for Packaging systems, and member of the Kaukomarkkinat Management Group. He will also continue as the Managing Director of Telko Oy.

Arto Meitsalo, M.Sc. (Econ.), 42, has been appointed Director and member of the Kaukomarkkinat Management Group responsible for Acquisitions, company arrangements, internal control, administration of foreign subsidiaries.

Leo Lauramaa, M.Sc. (Econ.), 48, has been appointed Director and member of the Kaukomarkkinat Management Group responsible for Strategic development and quality management systems.

The other members of the Kaukomarkkinat Management Group are President Ralf Klärich, Senior Vice President Jari-Pekka Lehmuskoski responsible for Electronics, and Senior Financial Officer Harri Leino.

Kaukomarkkinat Group's focal area is the technical trade. In addition to Finland, it has offices in the other Nordic countries, the Baltic countries, Russia, Poland, China, Vietnam and Germany. The Group employs 784 persons (as at 30.11.2005), 554 of whom in Finland.

Further information:
President Ralf Klärich, Kaukomarkkinat Oy, tel. +358 9 521 7400