Atlas Copco sees moderate rise

Revenues for Atlas Copco’s Construction Technique division were SEK 14.7 billion (US$ 1.79 billion) last year, a +6% improvement on 2013. The division’s operating profit was up +2% to SEK 1.77 billion (US$ 215 million), for a 12% margin – a slight decline on the 12.4% margin achieved in 2013.

As far as the fourth quarter of the year was concerned, revenues were up +5% to SEK 3.63 billion (US$ 440 million) and the order intake rose +9% to SEK 3.71 billion (US$ 451 million).

However, the company added that these positive trends were mainly due to currency effects, with some price increases. The volume of new equipment fell -4% compared to the fourth quarter of 2013, and orders received were flat in volume terms.

A company statement said of the fourth quarter, “The order volumes decreased for road construction equipment and for portable compressors, while it was stable for construction and demolition tools. Geographically, there was a mixed development with some growth in Europe and North America, while some markets showed significant negative development, e.g. China, Brazil, Australia and in the Middle East.”

Overall the Atlas Copco group saw its revenues for the year rise +12% to SEK 93.7 billion 9US$ 11.4 billion). Its net profit for the year was up +1% to SEK 12.2 billion (US$ 1.48 billion).