Announcing its fourth quarter and full year results, Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) reported unit sales up almost a third in 2011, amid positive sales trends in most markets, with the exception of China, which had a relatively weak fourth quarter. The company produced an all-time high of 84,000 machines during 2011 (up from 66,000 in 2010), and began 2012 with an order book 51% higher than at the same point in the preceding year.

For the full year 2011, Volvo CE’s sales increased by 21% to SEK 64,987 M, compared to 53,810 M in 2010. Operating income also increased, to SEK 6,653 M, up from SEK 6,180 M in the preceding year. Operating margin was down slightly in 2011, mainly due to the negative impact of currency issues, to 10.2% in 2011, down from 11.5% in 2010.

Thanks to good momentum in most markets these strong full year figures were bolstered by a solid set of fourth quarter results. Net sales in the last three months were up 14% and amounted to SEK 16,750 M (SEK 14,657 M in 2010). When adjusted for changes in the exchange rates, net sales rose to 15%. Operating income saw a modest decrease in the quarter, at SEK 1,649 M, down from SEK 1,758 M in the same period in the previous year. Again, much of this decrease is accountable to currency issues, a factor that also weighed on operating margin, which at 9.8% was down from the 12% reported in the same period in 2010.

Growth set to continue in 2012
The prospects for 2012 are expected to remain positive, with Europe expected to grow by 10-20%, North America by between 15-25% and South America by between 0-10%. Asia (excluding China) is forecast to grow by between 10-20%, while China itself is projected to be on the same level as in 2011.

Table 1. Volvo Construction Equipment, net sales by market area, in Millions of Swedish Krona

Ends

February 2012 

For further information, please visit: www.volvoce.com/press

Or contact:

Clare Gittins                                                             
Director, External Communications                          
Volvo Construction Equipment
Tel: int + 32 24825021                                               
Email: clare.gittins@volvo.com 

Brian O’Sullivan
SE10
London
Tel: int +44 207 107 2000
Email: osullivan@se10.com