The Swedish drinks packaging producer PLM achieved a pre-tax profit of SKr 86 million in the first quarter of this year, 39% higher than in the first quarter of 1996. Sales were more or less unchanged…
The Swedish drinks packaging producer PLM achieved a pre-tax profit of SKr 86 million in the first quarter of this year, 39% higher than in the first quarter of 1996. Sales were more or less unchanged at SKr 1.84 billion. Reduced costs and improved productivity helped the group“s beverage can division to lift its January-March surplus to SKr 58 million from SKr 46 million. Sales dropped to SKr 920 million from SKr 951 million but were unchanged after adjustments for currency movements. The glass division managed to lift its operating profit to SKr 46 million from SKr 32 million despite the fact that sales fell by 5% to SKr 748 million. Plastic bottles represent PLM“s fastest-growing business area. Demand for PET bottles is set to grow by 10% in Europe this year but PLM expects to expand at a faster rate than the market.