The financial performance of German machinery manufacturer Arburg (Loßburg / Germany; www.arburg.com) was "outstanding" in 2006, managing board spokesman Michael Hehl said at the company´s Technology Days. Although final figures are not yet in, Arburg expects group turnover to even top the EUR 365m rung up in record year 2000. It will certainly far outshine the EUR 267.2m posted in 2005.

Last year´s numbers for the Loßburg-based core company alone showed a sales rise of 22% to EUR 327m. The machinery manufacturer was also able to increase market share, especially in the low clamping force segment. Hehl said management is optimistic about prospects for 2007, even if business conditions are not likely to match those of 2006.

Last year, Arburg invested around EUR 16m in tangible capital assets, including EUR 11m for rationalisation, cost optimisation and expansion of production. Most of the remainder went for repairs and maintenance. Hehl predicted that spending in 2007 and 2008 "will certainly not be lower," especially as the sum will include funds for construction of a new customer service centre at Loßburg. The new building is expected to be completed in autumn 2008. During 2006, the overall workforce grew by 2% to more than 2,000 including nearly 1,700 in Germany.

In the US, Arburg is planning to move into new premises at Irvine, California, as well as at Chicago, Illinois, where it will establish its own representative office after previously being represented by an agency. The liaison office in Indonesia is currently being transformed into an official subsidiary. Despite the current international focus, the company said it remains firmly committed to Germany as its largest single market and to Loßburg, its sole production site.