Bucher Emhart Glass saw orders rise to CHF188 million in half 1 2014, up from CHF165.8 million in the same period in 2013. It said the market for glass forming and inspection machinery remained at a low level overall. There were no signs of recovery in Asia, while the market in Europe stabilised and demand in America improved. Thanks to its strong market position in technology-oriented Europe, it succeeded in generating a substantial year-on-year increase in order intake and sales. The spare parts and service business also developed well because glass container manufacturers invested in the maintenance of existing plants. The division achieved a significant improvement in profitability. This was due to the good level of capacity utilisation as well as the effect of the strategic realignment measures. Personnel capacity at Bucher Emhart Glass was under great strain owing to the parallel implementation of two major projects: the realignment and the development of cooperation with Owens-Illinois. As a result, some parts of the realignment project were up to a year behind the original timetable. In its outlook for the rest of 2014 it said it should continue to benefit from the lively market environment in the modernisation segment and anticipates an increase in sales and a further improvement in operating profit.
