Germany“s Gerresheimer Glas AG, part of the Viag group, has announced a 1.5% increase in turnover to DM 813 million with a 25% rise in pre-tax profits to DM 50.2 million for the first six months of 1…
Germany“s Gerresheimer Glas AG, part of the Viag group, has announced a 1.5% increase in turnover to DM 813 million with a 25% rise in pre-tax profits to DM 50.2 million for the first six months of 1995-96. It attributed the improvement to firm cost management policy. The surplus of DM 30 million was the same as the previous year but no profits had to be paid last year because of a tax loss which was carried forward. Investments over the period amounted to DM 74 million. Results have also been published by Gebruder Stoevsandt AG, which has been majority owned by Gerresheimer since September 1995. The results, which refer to an 11 month 1995 financial year show a 3.4% drop in turnover, with sales down 0.9%. Sales, in tonnes, fell by 5.1% while production rose 7.4% to 144.4 million bottles. In tonnes, production rose 2.3% to 66,575 tonnes. The company has moved to reduce costs by cutting jobs and is optimistic about the future. Budenheim GmbH, another Gerresheimer group company, has announced the construction of one of Europe“s largest glass melting furnaces. At a cost of about DM 30 million, the furnace has a design capacity of about 400 million containers/year. According to Gerresheimer, the combination of advanced control systems and pollution reduction technology has resulted in a reduction in 70% in nitrogen oxide emissions and 25% reductions in energy consumption, in comparison with the previous furnace. The green glass furnace is currently running on a cullet load of 80%.