European farm machinery manufacturer, Amazone, has bucked the global trend by reporting a slight increase in sales turnover during 2016.
Whereas German manufacturers reported an average downturn of two per cent, Amazone managed to post a one per cent increase to achieve €406 million.
The global market has been restrained due to low commodity prices and poor harvests in key markets.
Sales turnover in key export markets, including Australia, Russia, Ukraine, Rumania, Spain and the Baltic region, were all well above average.
Good results were posted in the key markets of Germany, Austria, France and the UK.
Amazone directors, Christian Dreyer and Dr Justus Dreyer, said the result was positive and expect to achieve a further increase in sales during 2017.
“We are convinced that the growth of the Amazone Group does not depend solely on the general development of the market but also on the increasing demand on our products,” they said.
“With our new ploughs, other innovations and the ongoing development of our regional markets, we are better positioned than ever before.”
Amazone is continuing to invest heavily in research and development and the ongoing upgrade of its eight manufacturing sites across Europe and Russia.
Other significant investments included the acquisition of Austrian plough manufacturer, Vogel & Noot.
Established in 1883, the fourth-generation family-owned business employs more than 1800 full-time staff, including 130 trainees and apprentices.
Approximately 80pc of the company’s production is exported to more than 70 countries throughout the world and is distributed in Australia by Claas Harvest Centre network
