Westa reports January production numbers

Westa (WES PW), Ukraine’s leading car battery producer, reported a 34% yoy decrease in battery sales in January 2012 to 250,000 conventional units. The company’s battery manufacturing halved yoy to 200,000 conventional batteries.

Alexander Paraschiy: The decline in sales was little surprise, as demand for batteries was lower than a year ago due to an abnormally warm December and half of January. Dealers accumulated large battery stocks before winter and destocking was slow, which resulted in a decrease in Westa’s battery supplies to dealers. We believe the much colder second half of winter will improve battery demand. The company also explained the sharp yoy decline in January production by a temporary halt at one of its two plants for planned maintenance.