Business brightens at Liebherr

The general business situation continued to improve in 2010 as national economies recovered gradually from the crisis, says Liebherr. "Since midway through 2009, worldwide industrial production has begun to increase in volume again, and world trade prospects are also encouraging."

In the first six months of 2010, the Liebherr Group's turnover was 4.6%, or €149 million (US$197 million) higher than in the corresponding period of the previous year, and totalled €3.4 billion ($4.5 billion). Construction machines generated a turnover of €2.1 billion ($2.8 billion), a slight increase of €41 million ($55 million).

This increase is due entirely to the upturn in the group's earthmoving and mining division, says the company, turnover from which increased by 13.2 % or €111 million ($147 million) to €951.8 million ($1.3 billion).

Turnover from the two other construction machinery product areas went down. Sales revenues from mobile cranes were 5.4%, or €53 million ($70 million) lower, at €919 million ($1.2 billion). In the construction cranes and mixing technology product area, turnover reached €249 million ($330 million) and was therefore 6.2% below the equivalent figure in the previous year.

Turnover from products outside the construction machinery areas increased by 9.1% or $107 million ($142 million). Total sales revenues were €1.3 billion ($1.7 billlion).

"Progress in the maritime cranes division was gratifying, with an increase in turnover of 12.7% or €34 million ($45 million) to a total of 300 million ($399 million)," said Liebherr.

From sales of other products and services, the Liebherr Group generated an 88.5% increase in turnover, with the total rising to €149 million ($197 million). The other products and services in this category include turnover from the group's hotels and revenue from sales of components manufactured in-house to customers outside the group, including electric motors, hydraulic equipment, drive technology and large anti-friction bearings

"The Liebherr Group anticipates a distinct increase in sales revenues for 2010 as a whole, but the result will be influenced to a large extent by ongoing exchange-rate fluctuations between the Euro and the Swiss franc as the year progresses," added the company.