Swedish manufacturer Alfa Laval AB reported sales for the first quarter were SEK 6.8 billion (US$1 billion), a year-over-year increase of 16 percent. At a constant exchange rate, sales were up 15 percent.
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Profit increased 1.2 percent to SEK 735 million (US$109 million).
In Western Europe, including the Nordic region, order intake grew in the first quarter compared with the fourth quarter last year, with the best development reported in France, Nordic and the United Kingdom. Growth was mainly driven by large projects with the base business slightly up compared with the previous quarter.
In the first quarter Central & Eastern Europe repeated a strong quarter, boosted by a strong development for large orders in the Process Technology Division. Energy & Environment, which landed a large order from the nuclear industry, did particularly well as did Parts & Service.
North American order intake grew in the first quarter compared with the previous quarter. Demand for parts & service was up across the region and a continued good development was also seen in the base business.
Latin America showed growth across the line in the first quarter with increased demand reported for both the Equipment and the Process Technology Divisions.
Order intake in Asia showed a substantial increase in the first quarter compared to the fourth quarter last year, mainly due to a strong performance for the project business in the Process Technology Division as well as in the Marine & Diesel Division.
