The important European market for Bucher Emhart Glass remained stable at a high level, it reported in its Q3 financial report.
The North and South American markets were up on the same period last year, while other sales regions also demonstrated solid demand overall.
Order intake for the first nine months this year was CHF324 million compared to CHF272 million in the same period last year – a 19.1% increase.
Net sales had also increased 2.2% from the same period last year to CHF269 from CHF263. The number of employees had dropped to 1623 from 1754 a year ago.
The Chinese market recovered slowly, but remained at a low level.
The increase in demand for glass- forming machinery, as well as in the spare parts and service business, influenced the division’s business performance.
Compared with the same period a year ago, order intake at Bucher Emhart Glass showed an improvement. However, the increase in sales was less marked because many of the orders taken are not due for delivery until the end of the current year or in 2018.
Bucher Emhart Glass expects demand to remain at a good level in the project business.
The division will continue its projects to improve profitability and anticipates growth for the 2017 business year as a whole.
The operating profit margin, however, is likely to be down on the previous year due to additional measures having to be taken in connection with the Chinese joint venture.
