Pfeiffer Vacuum: sales up 5.9 %
Pfeiffer Vacuum, a leading manufacturer of high-quality vacuum pumps, vacuum gauges and complete vacuum systems, announces its results for the 1st quarter of 2001.
Strong growth in Germany – Stagnation in the U.S.A.
After-tax income advances sharply by 46.5 %
The 5.9-% rise in sales primarily resulted from sales growth of 43 % in Germany. Sales in the remainder of Europe declined by approximately 8 %, stagnated in the United States, but did advance by 7 % in Asia and the rest of the world.
As expected, the economic slump in the United States and, in particular, the crisis in the semiconductor industry impacted the overall course of business. New orders were down 9.1 % during the first quarter of 2001 on a year-to-year comparison basis, while orders on hand rose by 24 %. Rigorous cost consciousness and greater rationalization efforts produced a significant improvement in operating profit over the very good 1st quarter of the year 2000. In addition, a lower tax ratio also had a positive impact on after-tax income.
Chief Executive Officer Wolfgang Dondorf comments: ”Given the hesitant global economy, forecasts are difficult to make. However we do continue to anticipate firm growth for 2001. By further expanding our global sales activities, pursuing a policy of aggressive marketing and not cutting back on development activities, we are setting the stage today for further growth in the years to come.”
Source: Pfeiffer Vacuum GmbH
