KBA group: balanced result despite continuing weak demand

Market conditions for export-oriented German press manufacturers show little sign of easing. Hit by the economic recession and a slump in advertising, global demand in 2009 was over 40% below the level for 2007. Even Koenig & Bauer AG (KBA), one of the world’s leading suppliers of printing equipment, was badly affected by a widespread moratorium on new investment in the print media industry. Although incoming orders of web and special presses picked up slightly in the fourth quarter of 2009, group orders for the year came to just under €890m, a drop of 29% on the 2008 figure of €1,241.5m. With demand for web presses even weaker than expected, Group sales came to €1.06bn, 31% below the prior-year figure of €1.53bn.
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