Krones' growth continues strong in the first three quarters of 2008

During the first nine months of 2008 Krones remained on course for growth, despite the cyclical downturn. On a like-for-like basis, sales rose by 12.5 % to reach Euro 1,765.9 m. During the period under review, the company benefited from the increasing number of clients looking for all-inclusive job packages. Another growth driver during the year’s first three quarters was the group’s Plastics Technology Division. Krones is the world’s leading vendor of machines and lines for producing bottles from PET and other plastics, and for bottling beverages in plastic containers.Order bookings were up by 6.1 % during the first three quarters of 2008 compared to the preceding year, to reach Euro 1,870.4 m. The order backlog, at Euro 996.3 m, was 6.0 % higher on 30 September 2008 than the preceding year’s equivalent figure.Earnings before taxes (EBT), at Euro 126.8 m, rose by 20.8 % in the year’s first nine months on a like-for-like basis. The EBT margin, meaning earnings before taxes in relation to sales, improved from 6.7 % to 7.2 %. Earnings after taxes were up by 31.3 % to reach Euro 86.8 m.