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The company’s largest division Sempermed (36% of consolidated sales) made full use of capacity in the period under review. The parent factory in Wimpassing, Austria, performed as expected, recording higher sales and profits on a rising level of orders. Supplemental new orders from Europe pushed capacity utilization at the factories in Thailand and China to the limit. Our US sales company Sempermed USA launched a proactive campaign on the market aimed at bringing about a substantial boost in sales.
Business at Semperflex (29% of consolidated sales) continued to expand apace, with especially dynamic growth reported for hydraulic hose. Semperflex Optimit, the Group’s up-and-coming Czech hose factory, entered the final phase of major investments in capacity expansion and modernization. This facility handed in another impressive performance, achieving above-average growth in output.
Production operations for industrial hose at the parent factory in Wimpassing, Austria, increased overall sales despite ever more aggressive pricing by competitors from low-wage countries. Roiter, the division’s Italian factory, improved its market position in southern Europe. The value and volume of sales reported at the Semperflex Asia hose factory in Thailand were considerably higher than last year. Capacity expansion there is proceeding on schedule.
Semperform (18 % of consolidated sales) continued to report diverging trends in its individual units. Overall, however, first quarter sales were substantially higher than in 2004. In Wimpassing business grew as planned, with above-average expansion for the railway superstructure and ski equipment segments. The same can be said of business in profiles, ropeway rings and filter membranes. Sales at Semperform Hungary remained at about the same level as last year.
The German construction profile factory in Deggendorf stepped up its efforts to gain back lost market share by landing new accounts and targeting new markets. The percentage of exports thus increased, as the slumping construction industry in Germany continued to contract.
Within Sempertrans (17 % of consolidated sales), Sempertrans Belchatow in Poland continued to be the largest company and the most potent market player. The current business year began in nearly all markets and segments with substantial and higher than expected increases in sales and profits. The Group’s French company S.F.B.T. did not get off to such a rosy start this year. It continues to struggle with regionally induced structural weaknesses and a decline in demand for metal belts. The Indian company Sempertrans Nirlon topped its targets for nearly all key figures. Demand is so high that the production operations are already reaching the limits of their capacity.
Vienna, May 2005
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