Engine manufacturer Deutz AG reported a 7.2-percent increase in first-quarter revenue, posting €236.4 (about U.S. $295.1 million) compared with €220.6 million for last year’s first quarter. The company reported €312 million in new orders in the first quarter, compared with €205.9 in new orders for the year-ago quarter, a 51.5-percent increase.
Unit sales jumped to 33,784 engines about 10-percent more than at the end of last year’s first quarter when it sold 30,589 engines.
Deutz realized an operating profit for the first time since the second half of 2008, with €0.7 million, particularly promising considering the first quarter is usually the company’s weakest because of seasonal factors.
“We are optimistic about 2010 as a whole,” said Dr. Helmut Leube, chairman of the board of Deutz AG. “We anticipate that new orders, unit sales and revenue will all be significantly higher than in 2009. If the economy continues to grow, we expect to achieve positive EBIT and a clear rise in the number of engines sold.”
