· Continued positive trend for the group.
· Net sales increased by 29 per cent to SEK 463.9 m (360.1).
· Operating profit rose by 28 per cent to SEK 46.6 m (36.4).
· Profit after tax grew to SEK 30.9 m (24.9); earnings per share were SEK 4.68 (4.00).
· Strategic acquisitions of German HMI company Lauer and Danish automation enterprise Brodersen Automation.
COMMENTS FROMÂ GÖRAN SIGFRIDSSON, OURÂ CEO
"We have been through an intensive half-year, making two strategic acquisitions - German HMI company Lauer and Danish automation enterprise Brodersen. Meanwhile, we managed to maintain healthy organic growth, so our overall sales gains were 29 per cent. We now expect to achieve SEK 1 bn sales for the full year 2007. Simultaneously, our major initiatives are also reducing profits to some extent in the year, so we expect the full effects to emerge progressively through 2008.
Our Automation business area got off to a flying start in its strategic start-up of operations in Denmark through the acquisition of Brodersen of Denmark. Otherwise, the business area is tracing robust growth and improved profits. However, restructuring the Danish operations will continue in 2007, which will temporarily reduce the business area's operating margin.
Our HMI Products business area passed another milestone through the acquisition of Lauer of Germany, which puts the business area in a highly strategic position and advances HMI Products' presence on the key German market. Simultaneously, our new terminal series, EXTER, is continuing to achieve new successes on the market."