Eiffage sales led by infrastructure contracts

Eiffage reported first half sales of € 6,4 billion, down -0,8% on the € 6,5 billion recorded 12 months ago.

In France the Group's infrastructure company, Eiffage Travaux Publics recorded first half sales of € 1,5 billion, up +3,4% on the € 1,4 billion recorded 12 months ago. A spokesperson said, "This reflects a strong level of activity in volume terms despite persistent pricing pressures."

In the rest of Europe, sales in the Public Works division (infrastructure) climbed +21,6% to € 270 million, up from the € 222 million recorded for the first half of last year. Eiffage attributed the increased turnover to acquisitions in Germany in the road construction and maintenance and rail installation sectors.

The Group's construction division, which includes property building, reported a -8,4% decline in first half sales to € 1,7 billion, down from € 1,9 billion 12 months ago. In France, Eiffage Construction recorded sales of € 1,4 billion, down -9,8% on the € 1,5 billion recorded for the same period last year.

The spokesperson said that despite the drop in sales, order intake had increased strongly and reservations for residential units were on a level with 2009.

In the rest of Europe sales of € 356 million were led by Belgium with a +6,3% increase, while decreases were recorded in the Czech Republic (-30%) and Poland (-8%).

As of 1 July 2010, Eiffage's order backlog stood at € 10,8 billion, up +4,8% on the € 10,3 billion reported 12 months ago.