Beverage filling and packaging machines specialist Krones (Neutraubling / Germany; www.krones.de) has reported earnings before tax of EUR 154m in 2007, up by more than 40% on 2006. Sales in the year increased by 13% to EUR 2.2 bn, while net profits reached EUR 102m, a rise of 31%. Continuing high demand for packaging machinery had led to the record figures, the company said, and large international customers that are building new facilities in regions such as eastern Europe, South America, Asia and Africa had helped boost sales through use of its full-service capabilities.

The company’s order backlog at the end of December 2007 was EUR 891m, compared with EUR 747m in 2006. Krones aims to increase its future revenues by between 5% and 10% annually and, thanks to the current healthy order book, expects 2008 sales to rise at a rate towards the top end of the range with pretax profits increasing at least in proportion to revenues.

Krones annual report 2007 at Plasteurope.com of 15.05.2008