TPT November 2007

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12 November/December 2007
Industry News
AutoRussia 2007 – an international
forum for the Russian and international
automotive industry – will take place for
the third time from 4-5 December at the
Astoria Hotel, St Petersburg, Russia. Over
300 senior representatives will attend the
event, including leading figures in Russia’s
automotive manufacturing sector.
Representatives will attend from leading
OEM projects based in the St Petersburg
area – Russia’s main region for automobile
production, as well as senior representatives
from international auto OEMs and T1s
around the world. OEM projects in
St Petersburg include General Motors,
Suzuki, Avtovaz, Ford, Toyota and dozens
of their key suppliers.
Keynote addresses will be given by Mr
Maxim Sokolov, chairman, committee
for strategic projects & investments, city
of St Petersburg, and Mr Grigory Dvas,
vice governor, economy & investment,
government of Leningrad region. They will
set out plans to further attract automotive
investors in and around St Petersburg.
Roundtable discussions on 4 December will
focus on sourcing and supplier localization in
Russia, with top purchasing and supply chain
executives available to answer delegate
questions. These and other issues will be
addressed by senior representatives of Lear,
Tenneco, Intercos IV. Senior purchasing and
supply chain professionals will also be on
hand from General Motors Russia.
Two new projects will also be represented
on the speaker panel. Stadco and Magna/
GAZ joint venture will both speak about
their strategies, plans and progress in
setting up production in Russia and working
with Russian suppliers. The conference will
be followed by an official visit to Tenneco
and Intercos IV in St Petersburg.
A partner to the St Petersburg event, the
inaugural AutoUkraine 2008 conference
will take place in Kiev on 29 January,
2008. With over 100 delegates expected,
the conference is designed to attract
an international audience of automotive
professionals from OEMs, T1s and T2
suppliers in Ukraine, Russia and globally.
WBR Ltd – UK
Fax: +44 207 368 9401
Email:
Website:
Linde Group continues its growth trend
The Linde Group, an industrial and medical gases company, has achieved double-digit
growth in sales and operating profit in the first six months of 2007. This confirms the
company’s forecast for the year with a further increase in sales expected. It is also in line
with the company’s aim for the coming years: Linde has set itself a medium-term target
of a €3 billion plus operating profit for the 2010 financial year.
Linde’s sales in the six months ending 30 June 2007 increased by 12.7 per cent to
€5.888 billion (2006: €5.223 billion). The Linde Group also achieved significant growth
in earnings. Operating profit (EBITDA) in the first six months of the year rose to €1.158
billion (2006: €1.010 billion), representing an increase of 14.7 per cent.
In a global market environment which remained stable, sales in the gases division rose
in the first six months of 2007 by 8.1 per cent to €4.553 billion (2006: €4.212 billion). On
a comparable basis, the global gases business of the Linde Group grew by 7.9 per cent.
The highest sales increases were reported in South America and the Asia/Pacific region.
As confirmation of Linde’s success, the company has recently won a €100mn contract
from Skangass for the turnkey supply of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) production plant
for a site in Risavika, near Stavanger, Norway.
Linde AG – Germany
Fax: +49 611 770 269 • Email: • Website:
Twin events for the automotive industries
in Ukraine and Russia
fi St Petersburg – the automobile manufacturing capital of Russia, and host to AutoRussia 2007