IN FOCUS

Pentair today announced its fourth quarter 2005 results, highlighting earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations of $0.38, an increase of 15 percent, on sales of $732.1 million, a gain of 12 percent.

Crane Co. reports fourth quarter 2005 net income was $35.3 million, or $.58 per share, compared with net income of $46.4 million, or $.78 per share in the fourth quarter of 2004. Net income of $46.4 million in 2004 included a $6.5 million gain from the Victaulic divestiture, as well as…

SKF reports record profits and record sales for the full year of 2005 and for the fourth quarter of 2005. The Board proposes a 33% increase in the dividend to SEK 4 per share and a share buy-back programme. The outlook is for continued volume growth for the first quarter of 2006.

World pump revenues are going to reach $36 billion by 2010, predicts the McIlvaine Company in Pumps: World Markets. Power and water will be two of the biggest drivers.

Franklin Electric reported record diluted earnings per share of $1.98 for fiscal 2005, an increase of 20 percent compared to 2004 earnings per share of $1.65 and net income was a record $46.0 million, an increase of 21 percent compared to last year’s $38.1 million.

As a provider of pumps, valves and systems, KSB was able to profit in 2005 from a generally good order situation in the energy sector, and from rising demand for industrial and process engineering products.

Sulzer recorded a high order intake during 2005: up 19.9% to CHF 2,635.1 million. Adjusted for acquisition, divestitures, and currency effects, the increase was 12.8% over the previous year. For the current year, Sulzer expects a continuation of good order activity.

Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation announced net income per share of $1.38 for the fourth quarter of 2005, an increase of 19 percent over net income per share of $1.16 in the fourth quarter of 2004. Sales in the quarter were a record $2.8 billion, 8 percent above the same period in 2004. Net income was $210 million compared to $183 million in 2004, an increase of 15 percent.

Parker Hannifin Corporation reported second quarter records in sales, income from continuing operations, and cash flow from operations. For the second quarter of fiscal-year 2006, sales were $2.2 billion, up 13 percent, as compared to sales of $1.9 billion from the same period last year.

Demand in the US for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment is forecast to increase 3.2 percent per year to $14.3 billion in 2009. Advances will be driven primarily by a projected recovery in nonresidential construction, along with ongoing strength in residential remodeling.