Bochum, October 8, 2008 – GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft increased its order intake in its core business in the third quarter of 2008 by more than 4 percent year-on-year. September, in particular, confirmed the continued positive trend as a result of the excellent development of the business with an increase in order intake exceeding 10 percent.
The high-margin component businesses Farm Technologies, Process Equipment and Mechanical Separation showed considerable growth, as already in the first half-year. The order intake of these divisions increased by over 14 percent in the third quarter. In September they even generated a growth of significantly more than 25 percent. In overall terms, the first three quarters of the 2008 financial year form a positive outcome for the company.
"This successful business performance underscores the stability of GEA's core business especially in difficult times," commented Juerg Oleas, Chairman of the Executive Board of GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft.
GEA will publish detailed third-quarter figures on October 31, 2008.
GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft is Germany’s largest listed mechanical engineering company. As an international technology group GEA focuses on the specialty mechanical engineering areas of process technology and components. Consolidated sales were EUR 5.2 billion in 2007. More than 50 per cent of GEA's sales are delivered into the fast growing food and beverage industry. The company's workforce comprised over 20,000 employees as of June 30, 2008, in 50 countries. The GEA Group is a market and technology leader in 90 per cent of its business areas. GEA Group is listed in the German MDAX share index (G1A, WKN 660200).