Turnover went up by €116.3million or 28.8% to €520m. EBIT went up by €23.4m or 56.1% to €65.1m. The EBIT margin amounted to 12.5%.
In Western Europe, continuous growth is forecast, while the CEE area should grow above average.
In North America, Palfinger plans to further expand its market position. The definitive set-up of Asia as a strategic area has been started already.
Establishing and optimising the organisational and operational structures will be continued in 2006. An increasing cost pressure is expected due to higher steel and energy prices.
The agreed wages with the labour unions will also raise personnel costs. As a counter measure the management plans to improve productivity and efficiency.
The acquisition of Ratcliff Palfinger in the UK, which was integrated in the second part of 2005, led to an organic growth.
The increase of the EBIT is due to the high capacity-utilisation in all production areas and the successful establishment of cylinder production in Tenevo, Bulgaria.
Figures are only indications from the preliminary results, which are based on IFRS. Results will be published on March 10th 2006.
