03.08.2012

Bronto up 42%

Truck mounted lift manufacturer Bronto Skylift has reported a 42% rise in first half revenues.

Revenues as translated in dollars – Bronto is based in the Eurozone but is owned by Federal Signal in the USA – were $65.1 million, 42 percent higher than at the same point last year. Order intake rose by 16 percent to $77.6 million pushing the company’s order book/backlog up nine percent to $90.4 million. Operating profit for the period was $2.5 million – almost 70 percent higher than a year ago.

Looking at the second quarter, revenues climbed 35 percent to $33.5 million, while order intake was up 33 percent to $40.6 million. Operating profit for the period was $1.7 million, an increase of almost 250 percent from last year’s $700,000.

Federal Signal says that the increase in sales and orders is due to improved demand in the Asian market for fire-lift products and in Australia for industrial and rental products with some increased shipments to European markets, offset by an unfavourable currency impact.

The Federal Signal group itself saw half year revenues rise over 23 percent to $400 million while pre-tax profits almost tripled to $13.7 million, an increase of 235 percent.

Vertikal Comment

A sparkling performance from Bronto which is understated by the weakness of the Euro. Bronto seems to be on something ‘of a roll’ at the moment launching new regular products that clearly appeal to a wide market, while continuing to hold its strong position in the fire-fighting market.

If it continues along these lines the focus will certainly move back to its production capacity. Lead times have lost it sales in the past and looking at the backlog may well be in danger of doing so again. No matter it looks like it is on course for a record year.