麥柯昇馬達集團2006年成長率17.3% --為2007年好的新年開端
Another record year for maxon
Sachseln/Obwalden. - The maxon motor Group reported a successful financial year 2006, with consolidated sales rising 17.3% to CHF 286.8 million (previous year CHF 244.5 million). During the past four years, the company was able to almost double its sales. The cash flow increased 35% to CHF 40.3 million (previous year CHF 29.8 million), which allowed maxon to fully fund its 2006 growth. maxon expects sales to further increase in 2007. The company employs about 1,500 full-time staff.
After growing continuously over the past few years, maxon announced another record year in a positive economic environment. “Our employees did a fantastic job, almost doubling sales from CHF 150.7 million in 2002 to CHF 286.8 million in 2006. We achieved this without any acquisitions, purely through organic growth”, said Dr. Karl Walter Braun, maxon’s principal shareholder, at the company’s annual media conference.
Key factors behind these impressive results were sustained high production volumes and the increased production capacity in Hungary. Staff numbers also grew to keep pace with maxon’s enhanced position on the world market and increased competitiveness. The Group headcount rose by 177 to 1,629 employees i.e. from 1,339 to 1,505 full-time positions.
Growth in all regions
Group sales in Europe rose to CHF 119.8 million (+CHF 21.2 million), with Germany increasing its sales volume by about 30%, thus performing particularly well. Other European countries where maxon has established a strong presence such as Holland, Scandinavia, and the UK, also achieved good results.
In the Swiss domestic market, sales rose to CHF 49.4 million (previous year CHF 40.1 million), ranking it second strongest right after the USA. In North America, sales increased by 11% to CHF 81.8 million (previous year CHF 74 million). After a minor stagnation, the boom in Far East continued with sales climbing to CHF 34.8 million (previous year CHF 31.1 million).
Innovations: New developments in the medical sector
“Last year we achieved considerable success in the medical sector. In addition to developing a low-noise coaxial gear head, we also used our know-how in the insulin pump sector and applied our experience of high-tech ceramics to help develop dental ceramic implants using zirconium oxide”, said Chairman Jürgen Mayer. maxon plans to strongly develop the medical sector in the future.
Other successful projects included ventilation drives for air-conditioning units for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, where all components such as motors, gear heads and MIM parts (Metal Injection Molding) are designed to operate at minus 55° C. Further projects in the space industry and in cooperation with NASA are planned for the future. Currently, maxon is involved in a Terrestrial Explorer project (basis of NASA’s planned Moon Lander).
Outlook for 2007: Massive expansion in Hungary – Continued growth of the Group
The maxon motor Group expects its 2007 results to be slightly higher than in 2006. In the first four months sales grew by about 10%, but incoming orders appear to be levelling off. However, the number of customer projects featuring maxon motors is still high.
Major building projects are planned for Sexau (Germany) and, in particular, for Veszprém (Hungary), where maxon plans to double the production area to 2,500 square metres and increase staff numbers from currently 154 to around 500.
For the rest of 2007, the Group sees the greatest growth potential in the high-precision drive technology sector. The major challenge over the next few years will be the increasing price pressure, particularly from Far East.
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| Karl-Walter Braun (Controlling, principal shareholder) giving a presentation at the press conference. |
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Author: maxon motor ag/26.06.2007
