Liebherr reports record turnover of €9.24bn in 2015

Despite turnover surging year-on-year for the majority of the company's divisions, the group's result after tax fell from €316m in 2014 to €294 in 2015.

Mobile crane products generated a turnover of €2.16bn in 2015, up 8.4% compared to the previous year. Nearly half (46.5%) of the turnover originated from Western Europe, while 21% came from America.

Liebherr mobile cranes were primarily in demand for projects in the energy sector, the petrochemical industry and for infrastructural work. In the Far East region turnover increased significantly, especially in Asia, sales revenue grew in Near and Middle East as well.

In Western Europe, the mobile crane division recorded positive results, particularly in Great Britain, Germany and the Netherlands. On the other hand, turnover in North America was slightly lower year-on-year, especially in Canada. The group said that revenue from Russia declined "noticeably."

Sales of used mobile cranes was higher in 2015 compared to the previous year.

Over the same period, the revenue from sales of tower cranes surged by 6.3% to €440m, of which 63.7% was generated in Western Europe.

The division's turnover rose in Western Europe, with an upward trend in sales revenue recorded in Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland. Although turnover went down in Germany, there was a "very dynamic" development in Turkey. Turnover went up in America, particularly in the USA, as well as the Near and Middle East. In the Far East and Austrialia region, the division achieved high rates of growth in Thailand, and was therefore able to record an increase in total turnover. Sales revenue was distinctly lower in Eastern Europe and Africa.

Commenting on the tower crane market in 2015, Liebherr wrote: "Notable overall features of the world tower cranes market in the past year were greater price awareness and increased competitive pressure." The turnover of the group's maritime crane division dropped by 2.4% year-on-year to €964m in 2015.

In the current year, the group expects the turnover to be at the previous year's level. "The construction machinery and mining area should continue to develop at the previous year's level; other areas are expected to make a positive overall contribution to turnover. Growth can be expected from the earthmoving, tower cranes and concrete technology divisions as well as from the aerospace and transportation systems, machine tools and automation systems and domestic appliances divisions," the group wrote.