Haulotte Group ended the year with sales of €652.7 million (U.S. $956.5 million), up 26 percent from 2006. Sales in the fourth quarter accelerated significantly to €207.8 million (U.S. $304.5 million) from €134.7 million (U.S. $197.4 million) in the third quarter and €173.1 million (U.S. $253.7 million) in the fourth quarter of the prior year.
This growth was driven by strong equipment sales that accounted for 86 percent of consolidated revenue compared with 84 percent in 2006. Europe accounted 89 percent of total sales in the period (90 percent in 2006). To support this momentum, Haulotte Group launched new manufacturing plants that contributed more than €35 million (U.S. $51.3 million) to 2007 sales.
The group also continued to strengthen its commercial network, opening new offices in Mexico, Dubai and Argentina.
Foreseeing stability in the market worldwide in the year ahead and with 2007 order intakes providing good visibility for the first half, Haulotte Group expects 2008 sales to exceed €700 million (U.S. $1.03 billion). Despite continued increases in raw material prices and persistent tension in financial markets (interest rates and currency), the net margin for 2008 should be close to 11 percent, the company says.
