Auto supplier Röchling increases sales 13%

Automotive supplier Röchling says group sales increased 13% to €1.1bn in 2011, “the highest level seen” since the company decided to focus on the plastics business in 2006.

The company said its business in the US and Germany were particularly strong during the year, as the domestic labour market stabilised in the US and the German economy benefitted from “robust growth”.

The high-performance plastics division saw strong growth as sales increased 15% to €608.9m. And in the automotive plastics segment, sales went up 11% to €525.4m.

The company launched a €100m investment programme in 2011 and expanded plastics production at plants in Germany and Singapore. It also bought sites in India and Brazil, where it will start building plants this year.

On the automotive side, Röchling invested in new plants in China, Romania and Ohio, the US. The company plans to continue its international expansion this year and says its goal is to become less dependent on the performance of regional markets.

“We are therefore expanding our position in growth countries like Brazil, India and China, as well as in the US,” CEO and President Georg Duffner said in a statement.

However, economic growth for the company tailed off at the end of 2011 and the start of 2012.

“Our growth curve still points upward, though with a bit less momentum,” said Duffner.

Sales increased 4% to €305.7m in the Q1 2012.

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