Engel continues to grow. The Austrian injection moulding machine manufacturer, automation expert and systems supplier has increased its annual revenues for the third time in a row. The group of companies closed fiscal 2016-2017 at the end of March with sales of 1.36 billion euros, 8.6% up on the previous year. It started the new business year 2017-2018 with a workforce of 5,900, another new record.

“The markets in Asia have played a big role in the success of the Engel Group”, said the directors of Engel at the start of the Chinaplas 2017 trade fair, where Engel traditionally announces its annual results. “Asia grew faster than average in the last fiscal year, primarily due to China. On top of this, we are benefiting from the strong momentum in Southeast Asia”, said Chief Sales Officer Christoph Steger in Guangzhou. At the same time, growth in Europe continues unchecked and demand in North America increases further. The directors of the Engel Group expect further growth in the new business year, albeit at a somewhat lower level than in the recent past.

Engel delivers both individual injection moulding machines as well as integrated turnkey solutions worldwide, the latter accounting more and more for incoming orders around the globe. “Customised solutions are currently our main driving force for growth”, added Steger.

At Chinaplas 2017, Engel presented both its established as well as new innovative smart service solutions. “Industry 4.0 is rapidly gaining importance here in China”, said Gero Willmeroth, sales and service president at Engel Machinery Shanghai. “The major international players have been tackling this issue for a long time and have first successes to show. Many other companies still find it difficult to deal with digitalisation and networking. This is where we see our role to support our customers with their very special problems to enable them to make full use of the fourth industrial revolution and to accompany them on their road to becoming smart factories”.