The automotive supplier fischer automotive systems GmbH (D-72160 Horb; www.fischerwerke.de) ended the 2001 business year with a 33.3% increase in sales over the previous year. Consolidated sales totalled EUR 59.7m (44.8m). CEO Klaus Fischer sees this result as clear evidence “of our innovative force and our competence in complex kinematic components for automobile interiors.”

The company employs 380 and is one of the three mainstays of the Unternehmensgruppe fischer (D-72176 Waldachtal; www.fischerwerke.de). Group sales ran at EUR 403m, with the fixing systems division (dowels and construction accessories) accounting, as usual, for the biggest share of sales. The fischertechnik construction toys constitute the third and smallest branch of the company. fischer automotive systems, which produces rear shelves, ashtrays, eyeglass holders, cassette and CD boxes, cup holders and multifunctional components, has recorded continuous growth of 25 to 40% since the mid 1990s.

fischer supplies an air-conditioned multifunctional box for the central console on the 7-series BMW, for example, and outfits the new Mercedes E-class with products such as ashtrays, cup holders and a kinematic storage compartment with integrated switch bar for the instrument panel.