With high-quality products and services, as well as innovative new developments, the Netstal Group has successfully maintained its position in a competitive and dynamically changing global market environment. With an export level of almost 90%, about two thirds of turnover was generated in Europe. The business share on all other relevant markets remained virtually the same as the previous year.

Injection-moulding machines core business – ELION as growth driver

With its SynErgy range for single and multiple component applications with a clamping force of between 600 and 8000 kN, Netstal has a first class and highly successful product within the ranks of its core business. In the anticipated target segments of rapid-production thin-walled parts and high-precision technical parts, Netstal occupied a leading position with the SynErgy model range. At K-Messe in Düsseldorf in October 2007, Netstal launched the first of its completely new injection-moulding machines
with a clamping force of between 3500 and 9000 kN. This model range with hybrid drive goes by the name of EVOS and, in the next few years, will replace the existing models from the SynErgy model range. The sales volume for the all-electric ELION model range with clamping forces between 500 and 1750 kN increased significantly last year. Thanks to the outstanding benefits afforded to the customer by the ELION range, it has been possible to secure many new customers from all major areas of application.
 

Optical disc subsystems – consolidation continues

For several years, the production-systems market for optical data carriers has been experiencing a decline together with accelerating consolidation in the valueadded chain as a whole. Overcapacities, the effects of substitution and uncertainty with regard to the future format of the third generation of optical data carriers (Blu-ray, HD-DVD) are the main causes of this market trend. Thanks to the excellent competitiveness of our e-Jet production system, we have succeeded in maintaining our market share. However, deliveries fell compared with the previous year.

PET production systems – PET-LINE 2000 celebrates its premiere

In the field of PET production systems, the system solution for the manufacture of preforms for PET bottles, all markets experienced a positive development in 2007. The number of systems delivered again increased in comparison with the previous year. The two large PET-LINE model range platforms were mainly equipped with the maximum possible number of capacities of 96/128 or 144/192. Fitted with such large numbers of cavities and enhanced with cycle-reducing further developments, customers using our systems achieved major improvements in productivity, also in comparison with the competition. PET-LINE 2000, the new third platform of the PET-LINE model range, was premiered successfully at K-show. The production system is designed to handle 24 to 48 cavities and opens up new application areas in the fields of beverages, foodstuffs and cosmetics.