Volvo Construction Equipment is posting optimistic financial results that show an increase in deliveries in the fourth quarter of 2013. The firm reports deliveries climbing by 9% as global markets show signs of improvement. A slowly recovering global market helped Volvo Construction Equipment round off 2013 with sales up 3% in the fourth quarter and improved market share, especially in compact equipment.
Volvo Construction Equipment is posting optimistic financial results that show an increase in deliveries in the fourth quarter of 2013. The firm reports deliveries climbing by 9% as global markets show signs of improvement.
A slowly recovering global market helped Volvo Construction Equipment round off 2013 with sales up 3% in the fourth quarter and improved market share, especially in compact equipment.
When adjusted for currency movements net sales increased further – to 6%. These improved figures are due largely to higher sales of smaller equipment, helping to boost deliveries by 9% during the quarter.
Operating income was up 16% during the period, at €30.8 million, compared to €26.6 million in the same period of the previous year. Operating margin also saw improvements in the fourth quarter, at 2.1% – up from 1.9% in the fourth quarter of 2012.
Despite the sales increases in the final three months, for the full year 2013 Volvo CE saw sales decrease by 16% to €6.04 billion, compared to €7.2 billion in 2012. Operating income was also down during the year, a result of tough price competition, weak product mix, low capacity utilisation and unfavourable exchange rates, to €293.2 million, down from €641 million in the preceding year.
“For 2014 we expect a slight improvement in market demand, mainly driven by China and Europe,” said Martin Weissburg, the new president of Volvo Construction Equipment.
A slowly recovering global market helped Volvo Construction Equipment round off 2013 with sales up 3% in the fourth quarter and improved market share, especially in compact equipment.
When adjusted for currency movements net sales increased further – to 6%. These improved figures are due largely to higher sales of smaller equipment, helping to boost deliveries by 9% during the quarter.
Operating income was up 16% during the period, at €30.8 million, compared to €26.6 million in the same period of the previous year. Operating margin also saw improvements in the fourth quarter, at 2.1% – up from 1.9% in the fourth quarter of 2012.
Despite the sales increases in the final three months, for the full year 2013 Volvo CE saw sales decrease by 16% to €6.04 billion, compared to €7.2 billion in 2012. Operating income was also down during the year, a result of tough price competition, weak product mix, low capacity utilisation and unfavourable exchange rates, to €293.2 million, down from €641 million in the preceding year.
“For 2014 we expect a slight improvement in market demand, mainly driven by China and Europe,” said Martin Weissburg, the new president of Volvo Construction Equipment.
