Construction and automotive plastics specialist Sarna Group (CH-6060 Sarnen; www.sarna.com) increased sales to CHF 881m (EUR 568m) for 2004, according to preliminary figures. This compares with CHF 865m in 2003 and represents growth of around 4% in local currencies.

The company took impairment charges of CHF 75m on the divestment of its automotive business, which began in December 2004 with the sale of subsidiary Sarnamotive Switzerland to German private equity group Wafa Beteiligungsgesellschaft (D-95447 Bayreuth) – see PIE 26,2004 – and is expected to be completed by the end of 2005. In particular due to losses in the automotive segment, the Swiss group expects to show a consolidated net loss of around CHF 100m for 2004.

The Sarnafil division, which supplies polymer membranes to the construction and civil engineering industry, reported sales of CHF 379m for 2004, a 5% increase in local currencies. Operating profit was more than CHF 40m, and the company pointed to good performances in the US and Europe. The company said it sees “significant further growth opportunities for the division.”

• e-Service:Sarna annual report 2004 as PDF-Dokument (1,229 KB)