Interim Report Q4 2023People Green Innovation Technology

Byggma monitors the housing market continuously, as this is an important arena for the company. We see lower activity in some areas of the market but are experiencing increased sales of new product launches introduced to the market. During the last 12 months there are sold 13,286 and commissioned 13,795 housing units in the market for newbuilds. The need for housing units has been increased to 29 000 which can lead to serious consequences for the housing supply if the trend continues. When sales and commissioning are below the need, pent up demand grows, and more housing units will be produced at a later point in time. Meanwhile, we are still experiencing high activity in commercial buildings and public buildings. The renovation and extension market expects to see growth as the market to a larger extent is characterised by the fact that more people don’t change residence.

The vast increase in raw materials is the most important explanation for lower sales and commissioning of new housing units in 2023. Additionally, the interest rate development may affect the activity in the newbuild and the renovation and extension market. The conflict in Ukraine may also affect markets and factors as access to raw materials, energy, and increased prices on imported goods. However, we see more stable prices on timber going forward, which may increase sales and commissioning of new housing units increasing the demand for building materials. This is supported by the upward adjustment of the official number of housing units needed in Norway to 29.000 per year. This may increase the demand for Byggma ASAs products in the medium and long term.

We experience the same market development for Byggma’s products outside Norway.

The market development has meant that the input factors for several of the segments are considerably more expensive. Byggma has implemented price increases during the last two years in order to maintain a reasonable margin.

Group management is continuously monitoring the situation in order to be able to implement cost reductions resulting from lower activity levels.

The board of directors is continuously considering various strategic adaptations and possibilities for alliances and transactions. The goal is to strengthen Byggma’s position in the Nordic building materials market.

In order to ensure further growth, investment in the sale of the Group’s products outside Norway is an important part of Byggma’s strategy. Innovation and technological development are vital components of the Group's growth strategy, driven by a forceful determination to invest in essential equipment and expertise to maintain its position as a leading player in the Nordic building materials market in the future. Byggma Group is firmly focused on achieving efficiency, dominance, and profitability.

Byggma is well positioned for implementing its enhancement processes for maintaining its position as a leading, efficient producer of building products. Several major investments have been made to streamline our processes. New investments in equipment have also been decided and this will enable greater efficiency. In principle, Byggma will be directing its investments toward digitization and automation of the production processes, including the

As per 21 February 2024 Byggma ASA owns ca. 18,5 % of the share capital in Norske Skog ASA. Together with related party Drangsland Kapital AS, Byggma controls ca. 26.8% of the share capital and voting rights in Norske Skog.

CEO in Byggma, Geir Drangsland, is CEO in Norske Skog with effect from 1 September 2023. Simultaneously he resigned as Chairman of the board in Norske Skog. Geir Drangsland has informed the board in Byggma that that he will resign as CEO in Byggma. Conrad Lehne Drangsland will assume the role as CEO in Byggma as of 1 April 2024.

It is an important part of Byggma’s strategy to strengthen its position as a leading original brand manufacturer of environmentally friendly and sustainable products in the Nordic building materials market. It is the Board’s opinion that completed adjustments and cost reductions entails that the group is well positioned and well prepared to tackle future challenges.

Byggma Group has a stable and highly competent work force and the supply for manpower is good. The group aims to be an attractive employer. We will continue to focus on ensuring that all employees in the Group can realize their human potential through their employment at Byggma.

Vennesla 21 February 2024
The Board of Directors of BYGGMA ASA