M. Schaerer Ltd. continued its solid growth rate during the 2007 business year. With sales of CHF 96.7 M, the company was able to improve on its result for the previous year by CHF 12.2 M or 14.4%. The high global demand for fully automatic coffee machines contributed substantially to this excellent result. Sales in Europe, the USA and Asia were particularly favourable, with these regions reaching double digit growth rates.
 

As a direct consequence of this sustained success, the workforce was increased by 5.9% to 251 full-time positions. Profitability was also improved: compared to the previous year, M. Schaerer Ltd. achieved a 4% improvement in operating profit margin.
 

The new business year has got off to a good start and sales figures for the first quarter of 2008 are above expectations. Despite effect of the weaker dollar on sales prices in the USA and some Asian countries, demand does not seem to have suffered. CEO Peter Althaus is therefore confident that M. Schaerer Ltd. will again achieve excellent results in 2008.
 

In order to safeguard its medium and long-term growth, M. Schaerer Ltd. will re-locate its head offices to Zuchwil in the canton of Solothurn at the end of 2008. The company will benefit from considerable savings in fixed costs as a result of this relocation. The development of new products continues in addition to preparations for the move, and it is expected that the next generation products from the innovation pipeline will be launched in early 2009.