EoW November 2007

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EuroWire – November 2007 19
english corporate news
Orders booming at FIB
Le Four Industriel Belge (FIB), Belgium,
has picked up a third order from UZPS in
Yekaterinburg, Russia, for two annealing
and galvanising lines. Both are provided
with specific bath and wiping system for
Galfan®. These two lines come in addition
to two others in 2003 and 2005.
Based in Brussels, FIB has also received
five orders for specific lines for zinc/
aluminium coating during the past
12 months – three in western Europe
and two in Asia. It has also received
an order from HAS CELIK, Turkey, for a
patenting and galvanising line.
Le Four Industriel Belge SA – Belgium
Fax: +32 2 376 37 11
Email:
Website:
A zinc sensor from FIB ▲
Speciality chemicals company Altana AG
substantially increased sales and earnings
in the first six months of 2007 compared
to the previous year.
Sales increased by 7%, rising from
€659m to €705.7m. Adjusted for negative
exchange rate effects of 3%, as well as
slightly positive acquisition effects, the
operating sales growth rate was 9%.
The growth in sales was particularly
strong in Europe (+10%) and Asia (+8%).
Earnings before interest, taxes, depre-
ciation and amortisation (EBITDA) grew
by 22% from €103.1m to €125.2m, based
on double-digit earnings increases in
all divisions.
“In the first half-year of our new group
structure as a pure specialty chemicals
company we have demonstrated a very
satisfying development and were able to
increase sales and earnings substantially,”
said Dr Matthias Wolfgruber, CEO of
Altana AG.
“We have successfully lived up to the
confidence placed in us by the capital
markets and the general public after
the new start of Altana and we are well
positioned to continue our path of
profitable growth into the future.”
Altana AG – Germany
Fax: +49 281 670 1114
Email:
Website:
Fasteners getting ready
for 2008
The Ricoh Arena, Coventry, UK, will
host Fastener Fair Coventry on 11th and
12th June 2008.
Fastener Fair Coventry is exclusively for
the markets of the UK and Ireland, and
represents all aspects of the fastener and
fixing market. The Ricoh Arena is less than
two hours’ drive for almost 75% of the
population of Britain.
Fastener Fair Coventry – UK
Email:
Website:
lAltana posts robust growth in the first six
lmonths of 2007