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Q1 reduction for Ford sales
MPR_May_News (Read Only)
23/05/2006
15:13
Page 8
Höganäs raises its game with 20% sales gain The world's biggest iron powder maker, Sweden's Höganäs AB, posted a 20 per cent gain in sales during the first three months of this year. Worldwide production shipments grew 6 per cent. Net sales were SEK 1310 million (about $173 million). A weaker Swedish Krona exerted a 9 per cent positive impact on sales, in addition to price increases in North America, Europe, and other areas. The company reported that the powder market in the US, which accounts for about half of the global market, continued to decline. The market in Western Europe gained somewhat, along with growth in Asia and South America. However, these gains could not offset the downturn in the US. Höganäs attributed the downturn to weaker auto production, the trend towards smaller, more fuel-efficient cars, and market-share loss by the two largest American car makers.
First-quarter operating income was up slightly to SEK 164 million (about $21.7 million). After-tax income was SEK 110 million (about $14.5 million). Beginning this year, the company will report results in two main market categories-PM components and consumables. Consumables cover powders used in surface coatings, chemicals, and food additives. Höganäs expects continued growth in markets in Asia and South America and slight growth in Europe. Its also expects metal prices to stay volatile. • First quarter iron powder shipments in the US declined around 6 per cent on the same period of 2005. Last year around 117 000 short tons of iron powder was shipped in the first quarter. The total for last year was nearly 440 000 short tons as against a total of 473 000 short tons for 2004, a decline of more than 7 per cent.
Q1 reduction for Ford sales FORD Motor Company's March 2006 US sales slid 5 per cent to 291 146 cars and trucks. However, the company's new midsize saloons(Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, and Lincoln Zephyr) posted their highest sales to date in March - 17 157 vehicles, up 28 per cent from February. Ford's F-Series truck sales increased 5 per cent compared with a year ago to 84 168 vehicles, the highest March sales
8
MPR May 2006
since 2000. Through March, FSeries truck sales totalled 199 801, up 6 per cent. Overall sales for the four-door Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer were lower than 2005 ago, reflecting weaker fleet sales. Lincoln's Mark LT full-size pickup recorded its second highest sales month in March. Ford reported that through February it gained three full points of share in the full-size pickup market segment.
Laser sintering locks up a deal A week before a major conference and exhibition in the US, Cincinnati, Ohio-based SentriLock had a concept but no demonstration units of a web-based electronic lock to help estate agents maximise property viewings. CNC machining, they were told would take two weeks. Laser sintering using an EOS direct metal laser sintering setup saved the day, however, producing in 53 hours from a CAD file a full size unit that had the look and feel of the unit as it will be on the market.
New tungsten process brings interest and investment cash NORTH American Tungsten Corporation (NTC) of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Tundra Composites of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, to form a 50/50 joint venture. The venture will process and produce tungsten powders, intermediates such as ammonium paratungstate (APT), and composites from NTC tungsten concentrates and other metals. NTC says Tundra has developed a lower-cost tungsten process technology that is very different from currently used methods. It allows production of a wide range of products and uses various
grades of ore concentrates, scrap, and intermediate products. A pilot plant will operate at Tundra's facility to prove the technical feasibility of the process to the point of commercialisation. It is projected to be on-stream by the beginning of September. NTC will contribute $2.85 million for the pilot plant and Tundra will provide technology valued at $8.5 million. Most of the joint venture's initial tungsten powder output will go into Tundra's effort to commercialise composite materials to replace leadbased products. NTC owns the Cantung Mine in the Northwest Territories.
metal-powder.net
23/05/2006
15:13
Page 8
Höganäs raises its game with 20% sales gain The world's biggest iron powder maker, Sweden's Höganäs AB, posted a 20 per cent gain in sales during the first three months of this year. Worldwide production shipments grew 6 per cent. Net sales were SEK 1310 million (about $173 million). A weaker Swedish Krona exerted a 9 per cent positive impact on sales, in addition to price increases in North America, Europe, and other areas. The company reported that the powder market in the US, which accounts for about half of the global market, continued to decline. The market in Western Europe gained somewhat, along with growth in Asia and South America. However, these gains could not offset the downturn in the US. Höganäs attributed the downturn to weaker auto production, the trend towards smaller, more fuel-efficient cars, and market-share loss by the two largest American car makers.
First-quarter operating income was up slightly to SEK 164 million (about $21.7 million). After-tax income was SEK 110 million (about $14.5 million). Beginning this year, the company will report results in two main market categories-PM components and consumables. Consumables cover powders used in surface coatings, chemicals, and food additives. Höganäs expects continued growth in markets in Asia and South America and slight growth in Europe. Its also expects metal prices to stay volatile. • First quarter iron powder shipments in the US declined around 6 per cent on the same period of 2005. Last year around 117 000 short tons of iron powder was shipped in the first quarter. The total for last year was nearly 440 000 short tons as against a total of 473 000 short tons for 2004, a decline of more than 7 per cent.
Q1 reduction for Ford sales FORD Motor Company's March 2006 US sales slid 5 per cent to 291 146 cars and trucks. However, the company's new midsize saloons(Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, and Lincoln Zephyr) posted their highest sales to date in March - 17 157 vehicles, up 28 per cent from February. Ford's F-Series truck sales increased 5 per cent compared with a year ago to 84 168 vehicles, the highest March sales
8
MPR May 2006
since 2000. Through March, FSeries truck sales totalled 199 801, up 6 per cent. Overall sales for the four-door Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer were lower than 2005 ago, reflecting weaker fleet sales. Lincoln's Mark LT full-size pickup recorded its second highest sales month in March. Ford reported that through February it gained three full points of share in the full-size pickup market segment.
Laser sintering locks up a deal A week before a major conference and exhibition in the US, Cincinnati, Ohio-based SentriLock had a concept but no demonstration units of a web-based electronic lock to help estate agents maximise property viewings. CNC machining, they were told would take two weeks. Laser sintering using an EOS direct metal laser sintering setup saved the day, however, producing in 53 hours from a CAD file a full size unit that had the look and feel of the unit as it will be on the market.
New tungsten process brings interest and investment cash NORTH American Tungsten Corporation (NTC) of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Tundra Composites of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, to form a 50/50 joint venture. The venture will process and produce tungsten powders, intermediates such as ammonium paratungstate (APT), and composites from NTC tungsten concentrates and other metals. NTC says Tundra has developed a lower-cost tungsten process technology that is very different from currently used methods. It allows production of a wide range of products and uses various
grades of ore concentrates, scrap, and intermediate products. A pilot plant will operate at Tundra's facility to prove the technical feasibility of the process to the point of commercialisation. It is projected to be on-stream by the beginning of September. NTC will contribute $2.85 million for the pilot plant and Tundra will provide technology valued at $8.5 million. Most of the joint venture's initial tungsten powder output will go into Tundra's effort to commercialise composite materials to replace leadbased products. NTC owns the Cantung Mine in the Northwest Territories.
metal-powder.net