On the basis of the provisional statistics for 2004, VA Tech’s order intake has developed in a positive manner, rising to around EUR 4650 million, an increase of 10% on the comparable figure for the preceding year (EUR 4238 million).

For the year, VA Tech’s Metallurgy division (VAI) contributed EUR 1,620 million (a 41% increase) to order intake, while the Power Generation division (VA Tech Hydro) contributed EUR 880 million (16% decrease): the Power Transmission and Distribution division (VA Tech T&D) contributed EUR 1,230 million (9% increase); the Infrastructure division (VA Tech Elin EBG, aii) contributed EUR 840 m (4% increase); and the Water Systems division contributed EUR 180 million (15% ). The consolidation effect amounted to EUR 100 million.

As a consequence of the highly positive business performance, over 70% of VA Tech’s 2005 planned sales are already secured by order backlog. Therefore, the VA Tech Managing Board has confirmed its improved forecast of a 2005 profit of over EUR 66 million. Other decisive factors in this prediction are the successful completion of the restructuring program in 2004, which resulted in a considerable reduction in fixed costs, and the sale or closure of unprofitable units.

The listed VA Technologie AG (VA Tech) is a focused technology and service company that provides value to customers over the entire plant life cycle. Leading international positions are held in Metallurgy, Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution and Infrastructure. In 2003, VA Tech achieved sales of EUR 3.8 billion with a work force of 17,478 employees.