Effer sales rise by 18%

Loader crane manufacturer Effer Holding Spa reported record sales revenue and unit volume for 2004. It said it delivered 2232 cranes in 2004 – a record for the Italian manufacturer. Sales hit a record €47.9 million, 18 % higher than 2003.

Managing director Roberto Meneghinello described the numbers as very positive and said he sees them as a “strong sign of a new direction”. This positive trend is confirmed by the order backlog figure at the end of December 2004, which Meneghinello said is equal to 20 % of the previous year's total sales, and 60 % higher than at the same time last year.

Objectives for 2005 are equally ambitious as the goal is to increase sales by at least 15 %. This will be achieved with a series of new models to be launched soon, Effer said. In total, eight new cranes, the first two planned for the first quarter 2005, in the 2 and 4 tonne-metre class.

As Effer enters its 40th year (since it was started by Giancarlo Monti in 1965), the other big event of the year is the opening of the new factory in Minerbio where the foundations are laid and the walls were being erected. The plant and new headquarters should open by the end of 2005.