The Greiner Group (HQ: A-4550 Kremsmünster) can look back on a sound financial year for 1998. Despite the crisis in Russia which affected the results of the group´s extensive activities in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe undergoing reform, the group still increased its sales from EUR 346m to EUR 357m. The payroll rose 9% to 3,658. Greiner attributes this positive development to the company´s good product mix. Any losses incurred were offset by growth in other areas.

Of the group sales, 32% were achieved by Eurofoam GmbH (flexible PU foams for block foam, the furniture and mattress industries, packaging and noise protection products). Laboratory technology (blood-sample systems, accessories for biotechnology and research) contributed 20%, while 19% came from packaging and 13% from Purtec GmbH (foam technology for seats and insulation). Greiner Extrusionstechnik GmbH (machinery and tools for plastics processing – especially window profiles) accounted for 12%. Greiner sees good growth prospects for Triple A Aqua Service Holding GmbH, which produces and markets American five-gallon water containers in polycarbonate. Following the development of eight new locations in Austria, Germany and Eastern Europe in 1998, the Greiner Group now has 78 production and marketing centres in 22 countries.

READER SERVICE: Extensive press release on the course of business in 1998 with key figures and a group survey: PIE-No. 43793.