A slight dip in retained profit for the year of €294m (2014: €316m) was attributed primarily to negative exchange-rate influences. The 2015 operating result was slightly above the 2014 level.
Turnover was up in Western Europe, thanks to growth in Germany, the UK and the Netherlands. Sales fell in France, however, which is Liebherr’s third largest market.
Sales volume was up in America and in the Far East / Australia region. The Near and Middle East were described as ‘satisfactory’. A downturn was recorded in Eastern Europe and certain African markets.
Turnover from construction machinery and mining equipment, including the earthmoving, mining, mobile cranes, tower cranes and concrete technology divisions, rose by 6.2% to €5,624m. Sales revenue from non-construction divisions (maritime cranes, aerospace and transportation systems, machine tools and automation systems, domestic appliances, components and hotels) rose 2.4 % to €3,613m.
During 2015 the workforce increased slightly to reach 41,545 by the end of the year, up from 40,839 at the start.
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