Report for the 1st half of 2006
Krones continues to perform strongly

With double-figure growth rates for sales and order bookings, Krones AG, Neutraubling, Germany, is maintaining its corporate momentum. The world’s market leader for beverage filling and packaging lines increased its sales in the first half of 2006 by almost 100 million euros to reach 920.4 million euros – 12.1 % up on a like-for-like basis. Krones achieved an even more striking rise in order bookings, which grew by 12.4 % in the year’s first half, to reach 941.9 million euros.

Krones has also reported a significant improvement in profits. Pretax earnings of 60.2 million euros are up by 13.2 % on the preceding year’s equivalent period, producing a return on sales of 6.5 %. Profit after taxes, at 38.1 million euros, rose by 5.2 % in the year’s first six months – despite continuing pressure on both prices and earnings.

Krones remains cautiously optimistic of sustained success in the ongoing business year.