Beckhoff sees sales strengthen

A strategy of "openness for new markets and new technologies" led to strong growth rates of 26 percent over the past financial year, said Germany’s Beckhoff Automation when revealing its 2006 worldwide turnover of the 190 million euros (US$256 million). The basis for success, according to Beckhoff, is continuous realization of innovative products and technologies combined with consistent expansion of the international distribution network.

In 2006, Beckhoff established new subsidiaries in Spain, Belgium, Brazil, South Africa and Australia. "We were already represented through distributors in these countries", said Managing Director Hans Beckhoff, "but we intend to expand our position in these markets.

"While currently our growth is achieved roughly equally in Germany and in export markets, our medium- and long-term growth prospects are more global".

Overall, Beckhoff is now represented in more than 60 countries worldwide through 18 subsidiaries, agencies or distribution partner, and in 2007, it will continue expansion of the global distribution network by setting up branches in Turkey, India and Dubai. And he number of Beckhoff Automation employees grew 20 percent to reach a figure of 800 employees worldwide.

Optimistic about the future
"In 2006, we set further performance and price milestones with the introduction of EtherCAT Terminals, the TwinSAFE safety solution, the new AX5000 drive range and the new compact IPCs", said Hans Beckhoff.

In 2007, continuous development of new products and technologies is again to delivering sales growth. At this year's Hannover Fair the focus was on XFC (eXtreme Fast Control Technology), a new, very fast control solution that opens up new process optimization options for the user that were not possible in the past due to technical limitations.

Hans Beckhoff says he is optimistic about the future: "The positive development of previous years continued during the first quarter of 2007. Provided the main parameters remain stable, I am confident that the positive economic situation will continue."