IN FOCUS

The Group’s inflow of orders amounted to SEK 4,002 million (3,897), an increase of 4 percent after adjustment for the effects of exchange rate movements.

Pfeiffer Vacuum, a leading manufacturer of high quality vacuum pumps, vacuum gauges, mass spectrometers and complete vacuum systems, announces its results for the 1st half of 2004.

Sluggish growth has characterised the mature European markets for centrifugal and turbine pumps in recent years. Now, however, rising demand for advanced technologies, improvements in selected application sectors and strong growth potential in eastern Europe are set to underpin a modest expansion in revenue levels from current estimates of $3.41 billion to $4.13 billion in 2010.

According to the Full Year Results Announcement of GUD Holdings Limited for year ended 30 June 2004, Davey lifted profitability despite a combination of lower returns from export markets and a more subdued market for Firefighter® pumps in Australia.

Thomas Industries Inc. announced that it has completed the sale of its 32% interest in Genlyte Thomas Group LLC (GTG) to The Genlyte Group Incorporated effective July 31, 2004.

National Oilwell, Inc. announced results for the second quarter of 2004, reporting net income of $21.4 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, compared to first quarter 2004 net income of $11.0 million, or $0.13 per diluted share. Revenues were $534 million for the period compared to first quarter revenues of $496 million.

In the Flowserve Pump Division (FPD), second quarter 2004 sales increased 10 percent to $324.6 million. The results reflect the improved conditions in many of its end-user markets and efficiency gains at some plants.

Gardner Denver, Inc. announced that revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2004 were $161.3 million, a 47% increase compared to the second quarter of the previous year. Net income for the three-month period of 2004 was $8.3 million, a 55% increase compared to the same period last year and a 26% increase compared to the three months ended March 31, 2004.

Crane Co., a diversified manufacturer of engineered products, reports second quarter 2004 net income increased to $31.2 million, or $0.52 per share, compared with net income of $26.0 million or $0.44 per share reported in the second quarter 2003.

Pentair announced that its second quarter 2004 earnings per share (EPS) of $0.55 increased 25 percent over second quarter 2003 EPS of $0.44 (adjusted to reflect the impact of a two-for-one stock split effective June 8, 2004). Pentair’s second quarter 2004 net sales totaled $813.9 million, up 13 percent from $719.0 million in the same period a year ago.