Although the reduced dynamism of the world economy had a noticeable effect on orders received in the final months of the year, this no longer influenced turnover significantly. The Group increased its total turnover in the past business year by more than 760 million € (more than 9 %) to EUR9.1 billion .

In the construction machinery and mining equipment product areas, Liebherr increased its sales revenue by almost 490 million € or 9 %. Total sales revenue from these areas was approximately 5,870 million €. As in the previous year, this represented about two-thirds of the Group’s total turnover.

There was an above-average rise in turnover from the mining division, by almost EUR 280 million or 28 %. This was a slight increase on the previous year’s rate of growth. Total sales revenue was EUR 1,290 million. Whereas turnover from the mobile cranes division fell last year, it has now also grown at an above-average rate, by more than EUR 200 millionor 12 % to a total figure in excess of EUR1,940 million.

In the earthmoving, tower cranes and concrete technology divisions, sales revenue remained at approximately the same level as in the previous year. Sales of earthmoving equipment brought Liebherr a turnover of approximately EUR 2,060 million. The tower cranes and concrete technology division generated a turnover of some EUR 580 million. The maritime cranes division recorded growth of more than EUR 20 millionor 3 % to a total turnover of approximately EUR 830 million.

The increase in turnover from the aerospace and transportation systems division was above average: compared with 2011 it rose by almost EUR 120 million or 13 %, and reached approximately EUR 1,030 million. Progress in the machine tools and automation systems area was particularly satisfactory: turnover reached almost EUR 260 million, more than EUR 70 million or 39 % higher than in the previous year. Turnover from the domestic appliances division totaled some EUR 890 million and was therefore EUR 45 million or 5 % higher than in the previous year. Growth was also achieved in the Group’s other product and service areas, where turnover went up by almost EUR 20 million or 9 % to more than EUR 210 million.

DeAngelis will begin his new role immediately, overseeing Financial Services and Accounting as well as the Port’s Business and Information Technology Services.

He succeeds Jeff McEntee, who is retiring in May after 25 years of stellar service with the Port of San Diego. McEntee has held the CFO/Treasurer role since 2001.

The Port conducted a nationwide search for this key position and considered a highly qualified pool of applicants before making this appointment.

DeAngelis is moving to San Diego from Utah, where he was a Senior Vice President, Operations Reporting at Teleperformance, an international business provider of customer service and technical support. His prior experience included CFO for a Teleperformance subsidiary, Vice President, Finance for Dexpo.com and working at one of the “Big Four” accounting firms, KPMG, all in the Philadelphia area.

“I am happy to welcome Bob DeAngelis as a key member of the executive leadership team,” said President and CEO Wayne Darbeau. “We were impressed with his experience leading finance and operations for domestic and international companies, both publicly and privately held. I’m confident that with his proven ability to lead and manage in a world of constant change and increasing complexity, he will build on Jeff McEntee’s outstanding performance record of prudent and disciplined stewardship of the Port’s financial resources while bringing ideas for more innovation and enterprise success in an increasingly interlinked regional and global economy.”

“We welcome our new CFO/Treasurer Bob DeAngelis, who brings an outside business perspective to build on the Port’s strong foundation of financial sustainability and integrity in public finance,” said Chair Ann Moore of the Board of Port Commissioners. “At the same time, we wish Jeff McEntee well in retirement after a quarter of a century of public service. He has helped the Port leadership successfully navigate through the great economic storms of our times, and his record of accomplishments speaks for itself.”

DeAngelis earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from Temple University and became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

“I’m looking forward to joining the executive leadership team of the Port of San Diego and continuing the disciplined and innovative leadership that Jeff McEntee has demonstrated for the last 25 years,” said DeAngelis. “This is a unique opportunity to work for a public-service agency that serves as an economic engine for the San Diego region and enhances the surrounding communities in so many essential ways.”

McEntee joined the Port in 1988, and prior to becoming the CFO/Treasurer, was the Director of Audit, Risk Management & Safety and the Senior Director, Business & Financial Services. He has supported efforts to grow the Port’s cargo and cruise businesses, and to enhance long-term revenues by implementing the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan and facilitating the Convention Center Phase III Expansion. He said that he is proud of the Port’s ability to maintain consistent fiscal discipline through the commitment of its Board and executive leadership. He leaves the Port with low debt levels, and credit ratings of “A+” from both Fitch and Standard & Poors – signs of the organization’s fiscal health and strong financial foundation.

“Today, the Port is more focused than ever on long-term financial sustainability and organizational success,” McEntee said. “Looking ahead, I am confident that Bob DeAngelis will be a strong advocate for fiscal discipline while supporting the need to develop and fund innovative business strategies designed to make this a thriving Port now and in the years to come.”

DeAngelis took the oath of office at the regular Board of Port Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, April 9, 2013.

The official signing of the lease agreement made voestalpine Texas Holding, LLC., the anchor investor for the development of the Port’s La Quinta Trade Gateway. The Austrian company will lease approximately 475 acres of upland property and about 11 acres of submerged land for an initial lease term of 50 years with two 15-year options. voestalpine will construct the Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI) plant and a 1,060-foot long high-performance dock on the easternmost portion of the PCCA’s waterfront, capable of unloading iron ore pellets and loading HBI.

In his speech Bernarhard Schlattl, voestalpine Texas Holding LLC., CEO said; “Everything begins with an idea. An idea whose time has come. There’s nothing more powerful. But ideas need fertile ground on which to grow and flourish. And, above all, an idea needs passion. Only then it will develop into a dream, a vision, a reality. The signing of this lease agreement is an important step of turning our dream into reality.” Schlattl continues, “Our dream is about building and operating the most modern, environmentally-friendly and successful direct reduction plant. One and a half years ago we set off, highly motivated, to search around the world for the most suitable location. We wanted to set benchmarks in our site selection, both in terms of time and quality. I believe we have mastered this step with flying colors! Apart from the excellent framework conditions, it was the people at POCCA, the CCREDC, the elected officials from San Patricio County and the City of Corpus Christi who finally made the difference. We were very impressed by your openness, hospitality and professionalism.”

SA Recycling is working with CML Metals Corp. to send iron ore from mines in Utah, California, Arizona and Nevada to meet the growing demand for raw materials in Asia’s booming steel industry. The iron ore exports, which started up this spring, are the first in 40 years from the Port.

“The Commission appreciates our industry partners’ efforts to find new business, especially export business, at the Port,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission Vice President Thomas Fields. “SA Recycling is a top-notch innovator, and we’re delighted that the Port was able to assist SA in expanding into the iron ore market.”

“I’m really excited about it,” said George Adams, president and CEO of SA Recycling. “The price of iron ore is starting to rise to the point where you can afford to mine it and ship it to China, South Korea, Malaysia and other Asian markets.”

SA Recycling has operated a break bulk terminal at Pier T for more than 15 years. The company also operates a scrap metal export facility in the Port of Los Angeles.

At prices nearing $140 per metric ton, iron ore is a rising star in the U.S. economy and a perfect fit for SA Recycling and the Port. The raw material is abundant in the western U.S., the demand in Asia is rising rapidly, and SA Recycling’s Long Beach port operations are well suited to handling the cargo.

After a year of planning with the Port, SA Recycling loaded and sent its first 50,000-ton shipment of the raw material in late March. If market demand remains strong, SA Recycling could export more than 1 million tons this year.