22 percent sales increase in the first half of 2006

Wampfler achieves growth in all regions and markets / optimism for 2006

Weil am Rhein, August 2006. The Wampfler Group, the world's leading producer of systems for energy and data transmission for mobile consumers, increased its sales by 22 percent in the first half of 2006 to EUR 45 million as compared to the same period in the previous year (EUR 37 million). The growth was achieved in nearly all of Wampfler’s important regions and markets. “Our broad diversification across regions and industries makes us less subject to cyclical fluctuations and makes us optimistic about the fiscal year 2006,” according to CEO Stefan Ziegler. Due to the high, broadly-dispersed order volume, Wampfler also anticipates a good second half of 2006.

Growth in all important regions

The Wampfler Group achieved the highest sales growth in China in the first half of 2006. The subsidiary founded in 2005 in Malaysia achieved EUR 1 million in sales right from the start. ”Our strategy of investing early and purposefully in Asian growth regions has paid off thus far,” explains Ziegler.

The decisive markets for Wampfler remain Germany and the USA, followed by Italy, France, and Ireland. Worldwide, the company has eleven subsidiaries – in addition to those in European countries, also in the USA, China, Malaysia, Australia, and Brazil, among other places – as well as 20 agencies. The customers of the energy and data transmission specialists from Weil am Rhein include more than 10,000 companies in more than 50 countries.

Sales increase in all three business areas

In the first half of 2006, the business unit “Cranes & Heavy Machinery“ achieved significant growth of approximately 30 percent. This business unit accounts for approximately 54 percent of the group's total sales and also for a disproportionately high order intake. The business unit “Transport & Automation“ contributes approximately 26 percent to total sales and grew by six percent as compared to the previous year. The third business unit, “ Handling Systems,“ was also able - due especially to a project completed for Kia Motors – to increase sales by 31 percent as compared to the previous year.