After returning to profit in 1995, plastics machinery manufacturer Krauss-Maffei Kunststofftechnik GmbH (KM, Krauss-Maffei-Str. 2, D-80997 Munich) is confident about 1996. According to designated managing director Wilhelm Schröder, the recovery that began last year has continued. While sales are projected to be flat this year, Schröder said he expects a "positive" net result. In 1995, new orders rose 14% to DEM 545m, while sales increased 15% to DEM 533m. Injection moulding machinery accounted for 70% of turnover, extrusion machinery for 18% and reactors for 12%. Earnings improved "substantially," thanks to "strict cost management."

The new lower clamp force range of the "C" series injection moulding machinery, the space- and energy-saving "MC" series and the new CD production systems were well received by their markets, said Schröder. In the small injection moulding segment with a clamp force of 40-150 t, Krauss-Maffei's range performed "above expectations." The group estimates its share of the European market at 5-6%. While extrusion machinery is now weakening, following several growth years, reactors are performing "better than in 1995."

In 1995, KM's injection moulding subsidiaries Netstal-Maschinen AG (CH-8752 Näfels) and Billion SA (1, Avenue Victor Hugo, F-01810 Bellignat) both turned in good results. Netstal's order intake rose 18% to CHF 257m, sales by 25% to CHF 241m. Earnings were "clearly positive." New order volume at Billion rose 17% to FRF 283m, sales by 14.5% to FRF 268m. The French company for the first time posted a modest profit.

Rolf Lidl, currently md of Krauss-Maffei Kunststofftechnik GmbH, has resigned as of 31 August, to take on new duties at another plastics machinery manufacturer which he says is "not a competitor of KM." Alongside his duties as new md from 1 September, Schröder will also have responsbility for injection moulding machinery.

READER SERVICE: Eight-page excerpt "Kunststofftechnik" from KM 's 1995 annual report, with many technical details: PIE-No. 39427 – Brochure "Maschinen, Systeme und Anlagen für die Kunststoffverarbeitung": PIE-No. 37731 (both in German).