Press release
Interview with the management
“We are negotiating several major projects” Dr Carsten Voigtländer tells us the reasons why Oerlikon Textile will consolidate its market leadership
Lucerne, 10 June 2007 − The head of Oerlikon Textile, Dr Carsten Voigtländer, reflects on the successful launch of the group’s new segment and looks forward to a promising future. Continued growth is expected - especially in Asia.
Dr Voigtländer, the first quarterly figures from Oerlikon Textile are pretty impressive. What development do you find particularly pleasing against this background?
With our Oerlikon Schlafhorst business unit we have precisely the right products to be able to participate to a considerable extent in the continuing boom in the natural fibre markets of China and India. Another significant source of profits is the Textile Components unit following the successful restructuring of entities such as Temco or Heberlein, which have been newly acquired in the last two years.
What objectives have you set for 2007 and beyond?
First we intend to carry on with the successful growth strategy we have implemented in the last couple of years, and to improve our operating income further. To do this, it’s important to extend our local presence in order to gain further market share, especially in India, China and Russia. Another key aspect is the marketing of complete installations on green field sites. One of this year’s major projects is surely the complete integration of the former Saurer AG into the Oerlikon Group.
Oerlikon Textile GmbH & Co. KG Landgrafenstr. 45 41069 Mönchengladbach Germany
T: +49 2161 28 23 32 F: +49 2161 28 32 36 www.oerlikon.com/textile
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Won’t integration tie up resources that are needed for the operating business?
The main burden of this falls on the support functions. Our customer relations are not affected by it. We’re already making good progress and aim to have essentially completed the integration process by the end of the year.
What additional trump cards does Oerlikon Textile gain with integration into the Oerlikon Group?
The total solutions strategy of Oerlikon Textile means that we can offer our customers complete “one-stop” solutions covering everything from machinery manufacture via process know-how to turnkey installations and financing. And we benefit from the advantages of a global network. For example, the Renova Group, a major shareholder in Oerlikon, plays a key role for us in opening the doors to the textile market of the future in Russia. We were scarcely represented there hitherto. Conversely we also offer Oerlikon opportunities to gain a foothold in the powerful markets of China, India and Turkey.
What market trends are currently discernible and how do you intend to profit from these?
The nonwovens market will grow and become further consolidated, and we will participate in this. This is happening in the places where our main customers are currently located, thus in the USA, Europe and Japan. However, this and other textile industries are also blossoming in Asia and above all in China. In this region and in India we want to be active in the natural fibre market at the same time, complete the textile chain in fibre preparation and gain the market leadership with targeted product offers. Upgrading and equipping our sites in China and India are further measures with which we aim to meet the growing demand in the medium-price segment.
Oerlikon Textile GmbH & Co. KG Landgrafenstr. 45 41069 Mönchengladbach Germany
T: +49 2161 28 23 32 F: +49 2161 28 32 36 www.oerlikon.com/textile
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What major projects are currently in the pipeline?
ITMA, the world’s biggest textile machinery fair in Munich, is looming on the horizon. We intend to exhibit innovative highlights at this. We are also in talks regarding several large projects in Russia, China, Turkey and India. These are good reasons to look forward to a successful second half of the year.
Oerlikon (SWX: OERL) is one of the world’s most successful high-tech industrial groups, specializing in machinery and plant manufacture. The company is synonymous with leading industrial solutions and advanced technology in the fields of textile production, thin film coating, drive, precision and vacuum technology. Originally established in Switzerland and with a tradition stretching back 100 years, Oerlikon is now a global player employing more than 19,000 people at 170 locations in 35 countries. It occupies the number one or number two slot in its respective markets. In 2006, with a tripling of its share price and an increase in market capitalization to over CHF 8.5 bn, Oerlikon entered the STOXX 600 European share index and was the most successful European share of 2006.
For further information please contact: André Wissenberg Corporate Communications Oerlikon Textile Tel: +49 2161 28 23 32 Fax: + 49 2161 28 32 36 andre.wissenberg@textile.saurer.com
Oerlikon Textile GmbH & Co. KG Landgrafenstr. 45 41069 Mönchengladbach Germany
T: +49 2161 28 23 32 F: +49 2161 28 32 36 www.oerlikon.com/textile