Bucher Industries increased order intake by 23% in the first half of 2010 to CHF 1 010 million. Sales declined by 12% to CHF 1 041 million, while operating profit was up 21% from the year-ago level to CHF 71 million. Due to the adverse effect of foreign exchange losses on finance income, profit for the period improved only slightly by 4% to CHF 43 million. The Group confirms the outlook for 2010.

Bucher Industries is expanding its fruit juice equipment unit and acquiring the operations and employees of Unipektin Engineering AG based in Eschenz, a company specialised in fruit juice processing.

Bucher Industries posted a significant increase of 31% in order intake in the first quarter of 2010 to CHF 544 million. As expected, sales were down on the same period last year, falling by 23% to CHF 475 million. The Group confirms the outlook for 2010.

Shareholders attending the annual general meeting of Bucher Industries AG on 15 April 2010 approved all proposals submitted by the board of directors. The dividend of CHF 2.00 per registered share will be paid from 22 April 2010 net of 35% withholding tax. Shares will be traded ex dividend from 19 April 2010. After the general meeting, Rolf Broglie took over as chairman of the board.

Bucher Municipal, a division of Bucher Industries, is selling its airport snow sweeper and Rolba snow blower unit to Swiss-based Zaugg AG Eggiwil. The parties have agreed not to disclose the sales price.

Bucher Industries generated an operating margin of 5% despite the heavy 23% decline in sales and before goodwill impairment charges of CHF 86 million. Even after impairment charges, operating profit still came in at CHF 26 million. After net financial items and tax expense, a loss of CHF 24 million was posted for the year. In a difficult market environment, the Group generated CHF 183 million in operating free cash flow. The directors of Bucher Industries will recommend a dividend of CHF 2.00 per share for approval at the annual general meeting.

Bucher Hydraulics, a division of Bucher Industries, is going to streamline its structures and concentrate its European internal gear pump manufacturing operations at one plant. The plan is to transfer the manufacture of internal gear pumps from Bucher Hydraulics Produktions AG in Langendorf, Switzerland, to the main Klettgau plant in Germany by the end of 2010.

From September 2010, Bucher Landtechnik will take over the Swiss distribution of Kuhn Group's world leading, unparalleled portfolio of specialised agricultural machinery. This will further expand Bucher Landtechnik's leading market position as a distributor of tractors and agricultural machinery. With the Swiss distribution organisation, Bucher's Kuhn Group division is strengthening its worldwide network of professional dealers. Employing 46 people, Bucher Landtechnik generated sales of CHF 66 million in 2009.

Bucher Industries was severely affected by the economic downturn last year. Sales decreased by 23% to CHF 2 142 million, down 19% excluding the impact of currency movements or 29% excluding acquisitions. Order intake fell by 36% to CHF 1 797 million, and the order book declined by 40% year on year to CHF 507 million. Compared with 2008 and excluding acquisitions, the Group reduced manpower by 1 444 full-time equivalents or 17%.