Bucher Industries generated sales of CHF 1 621 million for the first nine months of 2009, a decline of 24% or currency-adjusted 18%. The impact of acquisitions was 6%. Order intake fell by 41% to CHF 1 289 million from the high figure in the same period last year, and the order situation stabilised at a low level. Excluding acquisitions, the Group has reduced manpower by 17% since the beginning of the year.

Bucher Municipal, a division of Bucher Industries, is strengthening its competence centre for Bucher Schörling municipal vehicles at its main plant in Niederweningen, Switzerland, and continuing to expand component manufacturing in Ventspils, Latvia.

Yesterday, Bucher Industries placed a CHF 200 million bond with a term of five years and a coupon of 3 1/8%, thereby lengthening the average maturity of financial liabilities.

At the end of August 2009, chairman of the board Kurt E. Siegenthaler and Erwin Stoller stepped down from the board of Bucher Industries AG at their own request. The directors have appointed Thomas W. Hauser as chairman and nominated Rolf Broglie to serve as chairman from the next general meeting in April 2010.

All market segments served by Bucher Industries were affected by the economic downturn during the first half of 2009. Destocking by customers, restrictive lending practices and adverse currency effects additionally exacerbated the slowdown. Sales slipped by 19% or currency-adjusted 13% to CHF 1 179 million and order intake by 41% to CHF 819 million. Operating profit was down by CHF 73 million from the high year-ago figure at CHF 59 million, while group profit for the period decreased by 53% to CHF 42 million. Excluding acquisitions, the Group reduced manpower by 13% in the first six months of 2009.

The world's first emission-free, fuel-cell-driven compact sweeper was presented in Basel today. The forward-looking prototype called CityCat H₂ was engineered by Bucher Schörling in Niederweningen, Switzerland. The fuel cell drive system is powered by hydrogen.

In the first quarter of 2009, Bucher Industries maintained local currency sales at the same level as in the year-ago period. In Swiss francs, sales dropped by 7% to CHF 616 million. Due to the global economic crisis, order intake was 44% or currency-adjusted 39% down on last year's high figure.

Shareholders attending the annual general meeting of Bucher Industries AG on 16 April 2009 approved all proposals submitted by the board of directors. The dividend of CHF 4.50 per registered share will be paid from 21 April 2009 net of 35% withholding tax.

The Group achieved very good operating performance in 2008, growing sales by 13% or currency-adjusted 20% to CHF 2 789 million. Organic growth reached 16%. Operating profit before exceptional impairment charges improved by 20% to CHF 276 million, representing a new record EBIT margin of 10%. Order intake increased by 3% over the previous year's high level to CHF 2 792 million. Profit for 2008 came in at CHF 145 million, down 15% year on year, weighed down by foreign exchange losses of CHF 23 million and impairment charges of CHF 39 million for goodwill and investments.

Bucher Industries yesterday completed the acquisition of baler business by taking over Dutch-based Kverneland Group Geldrop BV. The company will be renamed Kuhn-Geldrop BV.

In 2008, Bucher Industries grew sales by 13% or currency-adjusted 20% to CHF 2 789 million. Organic growth reached 16%. Despite the sharp economic slowdown in the fourth quarter, order intake increased by 3% to CHF 2 792. The order book stood at CHF 843 million, just 3% below the high year-earlier level.