Fourth-quarter orders rose 24 per cent year-on-year to SEK 24bn, supported by acquisitions and a strong service business. The organic increase was 2 per cent. Revenues in the quarter reached a record of SEK 25bn. The adjusted operating profit was SEK 4bn, corresponding to a margin of 19.3 per cent (19.3). The cash flow was the highest ever at SEK 5bn
"The year ended with very strong cash flow and with a good working capital development," said Ronnie Leten, President and CEO of the Atlas Copco Group. "Demand from the manufacturing industry was stable for equipment and strong for service. The service business for mining continued to grow."
Events during the quarter included the acquisition of Titan Technologies International, a US-based provider of bolting tools.
Atlas Copco launched several new products including a range of oil-free scroll compressors, a complete range of quality assurance equipment for the motor vehicle and general industries, and a range of medium sized face-drilling rigs for underground mining and tunneling.
