The Buhler Technology Group announced on Jan. 23 that during fiscal 2008 its order bookings rose by 3% to CHF 1.891 billion ($1.655 billion) from CHF 1.838 billion. The company’s sales rose 7% to CHF 1.893 billion from CHF 1.773 billion last year. Buhler said its operating profit increased at an above-proportional rate.

Buhler noted its core business units focusing on the supply of products for staple foods processing developed as expected across the entire year. However, individual units were faced with a weaker business environment in the fourth quarter. In particular, demand for die casting solutions dropped sharply due to the slump in the automotive industry. But in all, this decline was offset by the growth achieved in the other divisions. The diversified portfolio in the group’s food and non-food units and its broad geographical basis therefore once again proved to be a major strategic advantage.

In geographical terms, Buhler said it achieved its strongest growth in the regions of Africa, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Order bookings were highly encouraging also in China, India and Korea. On the other hand, the group had to accept setbacks in South America and Southeast Asia due to project deferrals. In North America, business remained roughly at the level of a year ago.

Buhler said a detailed profit-and-loss statement and the annual report will be published on the occasion of the annual earnings release meeting, which will be held on April 2, 2009.