For the 2014/15 fiscal year (31.3.), injection moulding machine manufacturer Engel Austria (Schwertberg / Austria; www.engelglobal.com) expects to grow sales by 7%, which would lift its turnover to around EUR 1 bn. This follows a decline of 1.6% in fiscal 2013/14 when sales amounted to EUR 935m. At that time, Engel’s CEO Dr. Peter Neumann attributed the fall in turnover to a period of consolidation after the strong growth in the preceding year (see Plasteurope.com of 19.10.2013).

Neumann said the latest upturn this year was attributable in particular to the capacity expansion in Asia and also at the company’s Austrian headquarters in Schwertberg. The CEO told a press conference during the "Fakuma" trade show in Friedrichshafen (www.fakuma-messe.de) that overall capacity utilisation was good at all production plants.

Business in Europe is currently suffering from the effects of the Ukraine crisis. Especially in the key Russian market it was very evident that customers are holding back on their orders due to the political uncertainty, said Neumann. At the same time, however, Turkey – the second most important market for Engel – has overcome its weak period. In Germany, which is still the company’s biggest market, demand remains stable. The machinery manufacturer is nevertheless still very focused on the markets in Asia, where it sees the greatest growth potential.

According to company statistics, 86,500 injection moulding machines were manufactured worldwide in 2013. Of these, China accounted for 42,000 and the rest of Asia for 21,000. To win market share, Engel has expanded the capacities of its plants in China and Korea and also established the new “Wintec” brand in China (see Plasteurope.com of 15.04.2014). The official inauguration of the Wintec plant in Changzhou took place on 19 September, and the first machines have since been built and delivered. At present, Europe accounts for 54% of Engel’s sales, America for 25% and Asia for 21%. The Austrian company reported higher market shares this year particularly in Europe and Asia. Engel even wrested further percentage points from Japanese competitors regardless of the weakness of the Yen.

Every year, Engel manufactures around 4,000 injection moulding machines and 1,500 robots. With nine production sites in Europe, Asia and North America, the company currently employs some 4,500 people. More than half the workforce (around 2,800) are employed in the three Austrian plants of Schwertberg, St. Valentin and Dietach. At the headquarters in Schwertberg, Engel is planning to extend the technology centre in 2015.