Fronius records 52 % increase in sales

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Otto Schuster, director of sales and marketing. 

The Upper Austrian battery charging systems, welding technology and solar electronics company reported turnover of 499 million euros in financial year 2010 (01.01.2010 - 31.12.2010). This represents an increase of about 52% compared with last year. The company took on almost 600 new staff in 2010 and now has 3,250 employees (as at December 31st 2010). "This remarkable year is attributable to the global recovery in the automobile industry and the marked growth of many solar markets," explains Otto Schuster, director of sales and marketing.

Globalisation proceeds apace
The company exports 94.9 % of its products. Fronius therefore pursued a systematic expansion course again in the last financial year and opened new subsidiaries in Australia, Great Britain and Turkey. Fronius currently has 17 international subsidiaries and sales partners/representatives in more than 60 countries.

The strong growth requires the development of new areas for all divisions. In addition to the extension of the production and logistics site in Sattledt and the sales office in Wels, one of the largest R&D centres in Austria is being created in Thalheim. Internationally, a new regional head office is being built in France, the production site in Český Krumlov, Czech Republic is being extended, and a production facility for solar inverters is under construction in Canada.

Research and development as main success factor
A strong research and development department is important if the technological lead of Fronius is to be extended. The number of active patents has meanwhile grown to 737. At the end of this last financial year, 392 employees were working in research and development – nearly 10% more than in the previous year.

Outlook for 2011
"The positive trend is set to continue in 2011. The upturn of the automobile industry in particular offers great potential to the Welding Technology division. In the Battery Charging Systems division, we will expand the sales network to provide even better support to our key markets of intralogistics and workshops. We expect strong second half figures for the Solar Electronics division, as the governments in key markets such as Italy and Germany have given the green light for new photovoltaic funding models," says Otto Schuster. 

Andrea Schartner
Fronius International GmbH
Froniusplatz 1, A-4600 Wels
Tel +43 / (0)7242 / 241-3965
Fax +43 / (0)7242 / 241 95 2240
E-Mail: schartner.andrea@fronius.com