As to be expected, while the first quarters of the financial year continued to feel the impact of the economic and financial crisis, the order situation has improved considerably, however, in the second half of the reporting period as the global economy recovered. Due to the late-cycle bias of their business, there is a delay before the positive order situation is reflected in revenue. That is why Group revenue was still 11.1% below the previous year’s figure.

The number of orders also increased in the Port Technology segment in financial year 2009/2010. Order intake increased by 29.7% year-on-year to Euro 197.0 million. Here too, the largest number of orders was generated in the fourth quarter. Growth was the result of increased demand for Mobile Harbour Cranes and services. The Port Technology segment order book came to Euro 76.9 million as at 30 September 2010 (in comparison 30 September 2009: Euro 69.4 million).

The Port Technology segment recorded a decrease in revenue of 6.9% to Euro 189.9 million (2008/2009: Euro 204.0 million), the previous year’s revenue being higher due to deliveries and invoicing of Mobile Harbour Crane orders left over from a record financial year 2007/2008. Furthermore, there was still a little revenue from their automated products in financial year 2008/2009.