German injection molding machine group Arburg GmbH & Co. KG said turnover in 2011 will exceed its 2007 record of 409 million euros ($560 million at 2007 average exchange rate).
Speaking at a news conference at the Fakuma fair in Friedrichshafen, Arburg Managing Director Michael Hehl said 2010 consolidated turnover for Hehl Group (including Arburg and other smaller subsidiaries) was 378 million euros. He would not give a precise forecast for 2011 or 2012.
However, Arburg already has a strong order book for 2012, he said, adding there is “no chance” 2012 will be a bad year.
Hehl said Arburg had above-average orders in the first quarter of 2011 and since May, sales have stabilized at a high level.
Despite economic concerns arising from the euro crisis, the company has “very healthy” order levels in central, southern and Western Europe, he said. Orders from Greece have fallen since May but some companies in the struggling Greek economy are still buying machines.
Eastern Europe, particularly Russia, continues to be a difficult market, said Helmut Heinson, managing director of sales, due to a range of political, economic and societal factors.
Arburg is doing well in the U.S., Mexico and Brazil, he said.
According to Heinson, countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are showing record demand for Arburg machines.
Heinson lamented that, at a time when demand in the injection molding machine market is strong, many of Arburg's competitors are still offering large discounts to list prices.
He said: “If this is not the time to return to normal pricing, I don't know what is.”
