The Näfels, Switzerland-based company, which has been operating short-time working arrangements in parts of its production plant since February and across most of the manufacturing operation since July, announced the decision to its workforce of around 500 people on Oct. 7.

Netstal marketing manager Reto Morger told European Plastics News at the Fakuma fair in Friedrichshafen that the company has seen a significant order increase over the past few months.

“This gives us a production base for the next four months,” he said.

Morger said the factory will be running at above its budgeted levels until at least the end of January, by which time the machinery maker is confident it will have a clearer -- and more positive -- view of future demand.

Netstal has reduced its workforce by around 20 percent since the beginning of the year, which it achieved through a combination of early retirement, transfers and layoffs.

At the Drinktec exhibition in Munich in September, Netstal CEO Bernhard Merki had indicated that a review of working arrangements was likely in the near future, due to near record levels of orders PET preform systems.

“PET is a substantial part of our business today and we have seen a steady increase in our market position,” he said.

The company expects to record its second best year ever in PET preforms system sales in 2009.

Netstal is believed to be the first of the major machinery makers to bring short-time working measures to a close.