Italian machinery group Negri Bossi (Monzese / Italy; www.negribossi.it), which claims to be world´s largest designer and seller of plastic injection moulding presses, is planning a share issue of up to EUR 15.4m to help implement its business plan and strengthen its financial and equity position. Parent company Sacmi (Imola / Italy; www.sacmi.com) is backing EUR 13m of the issue, guaranteeing around 84% of the total. Negri Bossi expected to report a positive operating profit for the second quarter of 2005, following five quarters of operating losses. The company also has hinted at a 20% increase in sales for the first half of the year, compared with the 2005 period.

In December 2005, Negri Bossi implemented a restructuring plan following its first-half 2005 loss of EUR 3.8m. Announcing the share issue in July 2006, the company said the new capital will allow it to pursue its investment policy aimed at gradually transforming itself from a machinery producer into a "creator of integrated production systems personalised to fit the client´s needs".