AFTER almost matching the dynamic level of the strong Q1, German automotive parts supplier Continental foresees hitting another record year, especially with potential increase in consolidated sales of more than 7% to over EUR32.5 billion. Moreover, Continental projects that the adjusted EBIT margin could surpass the level achieved in 2011. Continental increased its sales 10.9% YOY to EUR 16.5 billion in the first half and also hit record sales of EUR6.5 billion – another new half-year record. Meanwhile, the firm created new jobs in the second quarter, topping up its workforce of nearly 169,000 or 9,700 more than a year ago and 5,000 more than at the beginning of the year.
Japan-based Bridgestone says for the first half of the fiscal year ending December 2012, though period has been characterised by high raw material prices and the strong Japanese yen, the company has surpassed the odds registering 1,488.9 billion yen, a 2% growth in net sales over the first half of fiscal 2011. The company has also introduced new products globally, enhancing strategic products and reinforcing fundamental competencies such as specification optimisation and responding promptly to demand fluctuation in each region, in order to maximise its sales in the tyre segment. (PRA)
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