Amsterdam, 11 December 2006 – Aldipress, the Dutch press distributor of Sanoma Magazines, will be transferred to Rautakirja, another division of the SanomaWSOY Group. The transfer is in line with the strategic direction of the SanomaWSOY Group.Aldipress will be consolidated with Rautakirja as of January 1, 2007.

The deal confirms the strategic importance of distribution to SanomaWSOY. By providing a focal point for sharing knowledge and expertise, the transfer will strengthen SanomaWSOY’s position in the European distribution and retail market.

The transfer is in line with the one Sanoma Magazines made in June 2005 when the Russian distribution company TK Pressexpo was transferred from Independent Media to Rautakirja. Aldipress and Rautakirja will both benefit from the transfer because they will be able to share each other’s expertise and knowledge of the distribution and retail industry.

SanomaWSOY’s President and CEO Hannu Syrjänen comments: “With this transfer we consistently continue the internationalization strategy of our press distribution.”

“By working more closely together with Rautakirja and sharing knowledge in the fields of ICT, Business Information, trade marketing and category management, we are able to strengthen our positions,” says Edo Meerloo of Aldipress.

“The challenges in distribution and in retail require us to fully use the expertise within the Group. This acquisition just takes the cooperation between Aldipress and Rautakirja’s press distribution operations substantially forward,” says Erkki Järvinen, President and CEO of Rautakirja.

With net sales of EUR 118.6 million in 2005, Aldipress is the leading press distributor in the Netherlands. The company employs some 380 people whose contracts of employment will not be affected by this transaction. Rautakirja’s press distribution net sales totalled EUR 98.5 million in 2005.

Sanoma Magazines
Sanoma Magazines is one of the largest consumer magazine publishers in Europe. The company publishes more than 230 magazines in thirteen different countries. Apart from developing its strong portfolio of magazine brands for various reader communities, Sanoma Magazines is expanding its business to other media platforms, with a clear focus on interactivity.

Sanoma Magazines is a division of SanomaWSOY which operates in versatile fields of media in over twenty European countries. The group is Finland’s leading media group and the largest media company in the Nordic region.

For additional information (not for publication), contact:
Trudy de Jong
Corporate Communications Sanoma Magazines
Telephone: +31 20 8512117
Mobile: +31 6 27402880
T.de.Jong@sanoma-magazines.com