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).