Beckhoff Automation of Verl, Germany, generated 510 million euros ($652.8 million) in sales, an increase of about 17 percent from 435 million euros in 2013. Leaders expect another double-digit sales increase this year.
Company officials credited a growing global market and new projects for Beckhoff's personal computer-based controls.
Beckhoff has boosted employment by 12 percent, to 2,800 people.
“We can look back on a successful financial year,” said Hans Beckhoff, managing director. “We are especially happy that this growth pattern extended to all regions and market segments. All continents contributed with new applications in areas ranging from industrial engineering and energy generation to building automation and the entertainment industry.”
In 2014, exports accounted for 62 percent of the German company's business. Of those exports, 29 percent went to other European countries, 22 percent went to Asia and 10 percent went to North America. Automation exports to China gained 38.5 percent.
Hans Beckhoff said Spain and Italy also notched significant increases.
The company will open a large office in California's Silicon Valley this year. The firm is represented in more than 70 countries, through 34 subsidiary companies and distributors.
Beckhoff Automation's U.S. headquarters is in Savage, Minn.
Tel. 952-890-0000, email [email protected].