Liebherr Group’s turnover fell by 1.4% in 2013 compared to the previous year.
The German equipment manufacturer achieved $12.2bn in sales revenues last year, $171.7mn lower than in 2012.
Although Liebherr’s construction machinery and mining, and earthmoving product groups recorded year-on-year falls in turnover of 4.1% and 8.4% respectively, the company’s mobile cranes group and other non-construction divisions saw increased revenues.
The turnover of Liebherr’s mobile cranes product group rose by $187.5mn – or 7.1% – to $2.8bn, largely due to increases in Germany, the United States, and the Netherlands.
The tower cranes division was the highest achiever with a 10.4% increase over 2012. Taken together, maritime cranes, aerospace and transportation, machine tools and automated systems, domestic appliances, and other products and services recorded increased turnover of $151.8mn – or 3.5% – to $4.5bn.
In the Near and Middle East sales region, Liebherr’s turnover was $415.75mn in 2013 representing a year-on-year drop of 0.5%. However, the company has reported significant increases in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
During 2013, Liebherr’s workforce grew by 1,623 employees representing a 4% increase on 2012. At the end of 2013, Liebherr’s global workforce stood at 39,424 people.
Liebherr has said that in 2014, the world economy is likely to develop more dramatically than in 2013, citing the International Monetary Fund’s growth forecast of 3.6%. In its initial estimate for 2014, Liebherr Group expects a total its total turnover to be equivalent to the 2013 figure, although it points out that development will differ from one division to another.
The company has also stated that it expects to further increase the size of its workforce in 2014.
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