AUSTRIA: BWT EXPANDING ABROAD

Article Abstract:

Austrian Mondsee-based BWT AG (Best Water Technology) is to enter the US market by the end of year 2000. Die Presse reports that whether this move will involve a partner will be decided in the next few days. According to Der Standard, BWT is to set up a distribution network of its own in the US rather than cooperate with a competitor. At the beginning of year 2000 BWT entered the UK market, and it gained a foothold in Japan through a 5% stake in Nomura Micro Science. Also on its traditional European market, the Austrian company was successful with water treatment equipment for households and industries such as food, drink and semiconductors. The Swiss participatory holding Christ AG should return into the black in year 2000, following the replacement of the management. In 1999 the company made a loss of SFr 8mn on a turnover of about Sch 1bn. In year 2000 BWT expects a 11% increase in turnover and a marked improvement in results. In 1999 turnover grew 15.9% to Sch 3.654bn, while profit on ordinary activities fell 18.8% to Sch 208mn. BWT is setting hopes on the development of membranes for fuel cells produced by the German subsidiary Fu-MA-Tech.

Strategy & planning, Germany, Switzerland, Christ AG

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AUSTRIA: BWT'S PLANS

Article Abstract:

BWT (Best Water Technology), a group of 60 companies that claims European market leadership in water treatment, expects the profit for the year before minority holdings to increase 40% to EUR 21mn in 2001. Operating profit should increase 36%. Turnover should grow 17% to EUR 445mn, following a 43% increase in year 2000, when operating profit rose 31% to EUR 25mn. One of the three new divisions, Aqua Ecolife Technologies, should contribute EUR 243mn to 2001 turnover. This division provides drinking and swimming pool water technology. Aqua Systems Technologies, which serves industries such as pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and drinks as well power stations, should generate a turnover of about EUR 200mn. The membrane technology division Fuma-Tech is expected to contribute a turnover of EUR 2mn and remain in the red. BWT claims more than 25% of the membrane market, in which it competes against groups such as Aventis and DuPont. BWT membranes are used for the combining of water and oxygen in fuel cells. BWT expects to make a major acquisition in the US by the end of 2001.

Asset sales & divestitures, Blowers and fans, Measuring & controlling devices, not elsewhere classified

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AUSTRIA: BWT EXPANDING OVERSEAS

Article Abstract:

The Austrian water and sewage treatment technology company BWT of Mondsee covers virtually the whole of Europe except for Scandinavia and claims market leadership. Beside Mondsee, the company has production plants in Paris, Schriesheim (Germany) and Tamasi (Hungary). It holds a 33.5% stake in Christ AG of Aesch (Switzerland). Moreover, it has four subsidiaries in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland. BWT entered the Japanese market by taking a 5% stake in Nomura Micro Science. The Japanese company is a leading supplier to the semiconductor and pharmaceutical industries. It is active also in the Korean and Taiwanese markets. In North America, BWT has signed a sales cooperation agreement. Through German Van der Molen, acquired by BWT, the Austrian company got subsidiaries in Brazil, South Africa and Singapore. With 1,700 staff, BWT generates an annual turnover of about Sch 5bn.

Japan, Foreign operations, Stockholder data, Nomura Micro Science Co.

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