Konica Minolta’s leading role in full colour

European market trends give proof of Konica Minolta’s leading role in full colour

Industry sales figures by InfoSource, an independent market research organisation, show that Konica Minolta strengthened its position in the segment of full-colour multifunctional printing systems (MFPs) in the first half of 2008: the company is now number one in both Western and Eastern Europe. While climbing back to the top of the Western European market Konica Minolta has successfully defended its pole position in Eastern Europe.  [more...]

BASF opens first coatings industry Design Studio in Münster

BASF Coatings is opening the first Design Studio in Europe for the coatings industry very close to its headquarters and production plant in Münster. Over a total area of about 300 square meters of the converted former "Villa Kaven”, including a presentation space of about 180 square meters, the BASF Coatings designers are provided with ideal working conditions. In representative showrooms, existing customers and other interested parties from the worldwide automotive industry are given information on the current color trends in the automotive industry and are provided with solutions for the coating of their particular vehicle models. Juan Ximénez-Carrillo Gerber, Head of the Automotive OEM Coatings Europe business unit, affirms: "The new studio will promote and sustain our strong position in global competition. With this competence center, we are further expanding our leading position in design." [more...]

Bayer CropScience plans large investment in R&D through 2012

Bayer CropScience plans investment of EUR 3.4 billion in research and development through 2012

Expansion of R&D program will strengthen basis for future growth / Achievement of target EBITDA margin of around 25 percent already expected in 2008 / Sales target of EUR 2 billion with new active ingredients now envisaged for 2009/ Launch of 10 new crop protection compounds with a peak sales potential of more than EUR 1 billion planned through 2012. [more...]

Jenoptik supplies traffic safety systems to Lithuania

Further increase in the order intake of the Traffic Solutions division

The Jenoptik Group has been awarded an international order valued at just over 4 million euros to supply stationary and mobile radar systems and, as a result, is continuing to expand its position as a global leader in equipment for traffic safety systems. The majority of the order for the Robot systems will be delivered during the course of 2008. During the course of this year state-of-the-art traffic safety systems from Jenoptik's Traffic Solutions division will be installed on Lithuania's roads. With the supply of approx. 150 stationary and mobile radar systems the Thuringia-based optoelectronics group is continuing to expand its position as a leading provider of state-of-the art monitoring systems in Eastern Europe as well.  [more...]

Biopower for Italy

Italy is pinning its hopes on biopower. In that country energy production from biofuels, using engines of medium rotational speed and coupled with co-generation technology, is a rapidly expanding field. Following the introduction of a system of “green certificate” incentives promoting carbon dioxide (CO2) neutral, renewable fuels, bio-fuel power generation and cogeneration capacity based on medium speed engines is now building up rapidly in Italy. Accordingly, Italy has become a major market for the Power Plant business unit at MAN Diesel SE in Augsburg, Germany. [more...]

ThyssenKrupp Group to accelerate strategic growth

ThyssenKrupp Group to accelerate strategic growth and further portfolio optimization

Since completing the consolidation phase three years ago, ThyssenKrupp has been pursuing a sustained and profitable growth course. To this end an investment program with a volume of up to €20 billion is being implemented. ThyssenKrupp’s mid-term target is to achieve sales of €60 billion and sustained earnings before taxes and nonrecurring items of €4 billion. In the longer term - especially after the startup of the Steel segment’s new slab mill in Brazil, the Steel and Stainless segments’ new steelmaking and processing plant in the USA and the international investments of the other segments - ThyssenKrupp expects to achieve sales of around €65 billion and earnings before taxes and nonrecurring items of €4.5 to 5.0 billion. All the Group’s segments will contribute to this. [more...]

Canon products recognized with prestigious EISA awards

Canon products recognized in Europe with prestigious EISA awards

The European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA), Europe's premier consumer technology awards association, recognized three Canon products with prestigious "Best Product" awards: the Canon EOS 1000D (EOS Rebel XS in other regions) as European Consumer Camera 2008-2009; the Canon HV30 (VIXIA HV30) as European HD Camcorder 2008-2009; and the Canon SELPHY ES2 as European Mini Photo Printer 2008-2009.  [more...]