KBA Posts Profit for 2009, Targets Modest Sales Increase in 2010

Although KBA’s web and special press division suffered from a continued slide in demand, affecting plant utilisation levels at the group’s factories in Würzburg and Frankenthal, it generated an operating profit of €31.8m (2008: €108.5m), largely from security presses and service activities.

Sheetfed consolidation on target
KBA’s German and Czech production plants also ran at well below maximum capacity early in the year, and restructuring gains were not reflected in the bottom line until the second six months. As a result the sheetfed division posted an operating loss of €23.1m. However, this was much smaller than expected and substantially lower than the prior-year loss of €188.4m. A balanced result is targeted for 2010.