Oerlikon Textile also enjoyed excellent business performance. Due to strong demand, primarily in the staple fiber market, the segment recorded growth in sales of 37.4 percent to CHF 1.3 billion, winning additional market share and posting its best ever half-year result.
At the same time, as a result of numerous efficiency enhancement measures coupled with improved utilization of fixed costs and a streamlined management structure, EBIT for the first half of 2007 more than trebled year-on-year to CHF 102 million.
Overall, the half-year results have exceeded expectations, including those made in connection with the takeover of Saurer AG. "Asia - and particularly China - are rapidly becoming one of our core markets," says CEO Dr Uwe Krüger. Even now China represents a dominant region, accounting for 31 percent of Oerlikon Textile sales, while Oerlikon Coating, Oerlikon Vacuum and Oerlikon Drive Systems are also enjoying above-average growth in this region.
The Chinese market now accounts for 17 percent of total Group sales, and with the expansion of production capacities as well as the relocation to China of additional manufacturing facilities such as those of Oerlikon Vacuum, China is also playing an increasingly important role as a production location.
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Outlook - Oerlikon expects the positive first half-year trend to continue in the second half of 2007 and to see noticeable improvements in the Oerlikon Components business field. Key growth drivers such as Oerlikon Textile and Oerlikon Solar should continue to grow at above-average rates.
Oerlikon Textile GmbH & Co
marketing@alchempro.com
