ABB is to supply three gearless mill drive (GMD) systems for the Rosemont Copper Mine near Tucson, Arizona, USA. The multimillion dollar order will see one GMD system installed on a 36' SAG mill and two on 26' ball mills, which will be supplied by Polysius. Start-up of the mills is scheduled for 2011.
Each GMD system comprises transformers, ring motors and a complete E-house. With a GMD as a variable speed drive, mills start smoothly and without any mechanical stress and the customer's requirements are fulfilled with respect to flexibility and adjustability of the process, allowing maximum control over the grinding process.
Beckhoff Automation has reported a strong growth rate of 22% and global turnover of Euro 232 million for its 2007 financial year. The positive development of previous years continued during the first quarter of 2008 and Q1 turnover is currently more than 20% up on last year.
Exports represented 44% of the total turnover and MD, Hans Beckhoff, says that the company’s mid- and long-term growth prospects continue to be globally orientated. Activities on the Indian market and in the United Arab Emirates were strengthened last year. Subsidiaries are due to open in Turkey and Slovenia in 2008.
In the field of technological innovations, Beckhoff sees the company’s XFC (eXtreme Fast Control) technology as a competitive advantage.
SKF has been awarded a contract to the value of more than Euro 5 million from Siemens Transportation Systems, for the new long distance Railjet trains for the Austrian Federal Railways, ÖBB. SKF will deliver axle boxes designed and produced in Austria and tapered roller bearing units manufactured in Italy.
The new Railjet premium class service started in 2008, linking Budapest with Munich via Vienna. A line from Vienna to Zürich is to follow in 2009.
Bosch Rexroth signed a purchase agreement on 31 March, 2008 to acquire German hydraulics equipment company K&H Eppensteiner. The acquisition is subject to approval by antitrust authorities.
Eppensteiner develops, manufactures and sells fluid filters for installation in hydraulic and lubrication oil systems. Its product portfolio also includes complete systems for purifying and recycling hydraulic and lubrication oil. With more than 200 associates, the company generated 2007 sales of roughly Euro 28 million.
President and CEO of Bosch Rexroth Corporation, Berend Bracht, regards fluid filters as an important addition to Rexroth’s strategy for growing its hydraulic system, service and retrofitting business.
Siemens Industry Solutions (IS) Division has announced that it is to equip two further cruise ships of AIDA Cruises with electrical and automation systems based on the Siship PAX platform. The order was received from the Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany, which is building the new generation of Club ships. The scope of supply includes the electric propulsion system, the power generation and distribution systems and the automation system. The two new ships will be put into service in spring 2011 and 2012 respectively. This means that the number of AIDA cruise ships equipped by Siemens will rise to six.
Hägglunds Drives has reported full year 2007 results with new orders rising 11% to 1918 MSEK (1735) and net sales up 14% to 1761 MSEK (1547). 2007 is the eighth consecutive year in which both turnover and earnings have risen. The company attributes the sharp increase in operating profit, up 37%, to increased volumes, improved margins and high resource utilisation in production. The operating margin (EBITA) rose from 17 to 20,4%.
Particularly strong growth was experienced in the Mining and Materials Handling and Marine and Offshore segments, and in the Nordic, European, Asian and Australian markets.
Manuli Rubber Industries (MRI) of Italy has reported 2007 group sales of Euro 304,7 million, up 8% from the previous year. 87% of 2007 sales were export related. The EBITDA was Euro 53,9m (Euro 57,2m in 2006). The company has cited exchange rates as contributing to the contraction since it generates substantial revenue in the dollar area.
Total investments in 2007 were Euro 27,3m, mainly directed at improving manufacturing operations in China, Poland and Italy.
In January 2008, MRI Group acquired HEBU, a leading distributor of hydraulic components in the Netherlands. With that acquisition the Group’s 2007 pro forma sales would have been Euro 326,4m, up 16% from 2006, with a normalised EBITDA of Euro 61,5m, 7,5% above 2006.
Bosch Rexroth AG has announced 2007 sales of Euro 5,4 billion – up 8,8% from the previous year. During the 2007 fiscal year the company invested Euro 377 million and increased the number of employees by approximately 3100, bringing the total number to nearly 33 000.
Excluding Germany, sales for Europe were up by more than 14%. In Germany, sales expanded by 8,3%. Double-digit sales increases were realised in China and India.
President and CEO of Bosch Rexroth Corporation, Berend Bracht, attributed the strong sales in particular to industrial hydraulics and large gear systems for wind farms.
The company is expecting continued strong growth in the mobile applications, industrial automation and renewable energy sectors in 2008 with Bracht predicting double-digit percentage increase in sales for 2008.
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