IN FOCUS

Parker Hannifin Corporation announced it is revising its estimated range of earnings for the fiscal 2005 third quarter, ended March 31.

Pfeiffer Vacuum, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high-quality vacuum pumps, vacuum gauges, mass spectrometers and complete vacuum systems, announces its full results for the year 2004.

Flowserve said it has obtained consents from its major lenders that enhance the company’s flexibility under its credit agreements.

The Glasgow based engineering group Weir announced a significant restructuring of its Weir Pumps business which is part of the Group’s Clear Liquids division.

Weir Group reports the results for 53 weeks ended 31 December 2004. Highligts include

• Pre-tax profit 1 up 2.8%
• Order input 2 up 23.4%
• Earnings per share increased 1
• Cash generation remains strong
• Dividend increase of 3.2% to 12.8p (2003: 12.4p)
• Board initiates share buy-back of up to £50m

In 2004, the Grundfos Group achieved a pre-tax profit of turnover of DKK 1,234m (EUR 165m) – an increase of 14 per cent compared with 2003, when pre-tax profit amounted to DKK 1,078m (EUR 145m).

Pentair announced that it completed a new credit facility totalling $800 million effective Friday, March 4.

The BWT Group increased its consolidated sales in the 2004 financial year by 17.3% from € 416.0 million to € 488.1 million.

2004 was a successful year for Sulzer. The core divisions posted significantly higher sales (CHF 2,049 million, +14%) and operating income (EBITA: CHF 130 million, +55%). Net profit for the corporation reached CHF 73 million, an increase of 78% over that of the prior year.