1998 is likely to be the most successful year ever in the history of Demag Ergotech GmbH (D-90571 Schwaig). 1997 also looked good: Together with Demag Ergotech Wiehe GmbH (D-96571 Wiehe), 1,900 injection moulding machines were sold (target for 1998: 2,300). Incoming orders rose by 39% to DEM 460m and by 42% by volume, with the European market share (by volume) up from 10.6 to 11.6% (expectations for 1998: 13%). According to Wolfgang von Schröter, spokesman for the Management Board, at a press conference ahead of K '98 in Düsseldorf, Demag Ergotech will be investing around DEM 30-35 million in 1998/99 to retain its position as a key player during the next few years. For example, a second assembly line will be built shortly at the small-machine production facility in Wiehe.

At K '98 in Düsseldorf, the company is intending to reveal a special secret: the name of the joint venture partner with whom it will manufacture injection moulding machines in China. In the medium term, Schröter is aiming to build 600 machines a year there, which, he emphasised, would be "German machines". By this he was referring to the high standard of technology and quality. The new holding parent company, Mannesmann Plastic Machinery AG (MPM, Reinhard-von-Frank-Strasse 16, D-80997 Munich) had, he said been providing excellent support for the China project, too, and its financial strength was also providing an outstanding basis for the future development of Demag Ergotech.

On Demag Ergotec's stand at K '98, the focus will be on the following topics: thin-wall technology, multi-colour/multi-component injection moulding and PET systems. The latter include special injection moulding systems for multi-layer preforms (recyclate or barrier) – a segment in which the company sees very good prospects for itself, also as a newcomer.

READER SERVICE: Comprehensive press releases from Demag Ergotech (all in English): Company portrait with business developments in 1997: PIE-No. 42809 – Thin-wall technology: PIE-No. 42810 – Multi-colour/multi-component injection moulding: PIE-No. 42811 – Ergotech PET systems: PIE-No. 42812.