Egger said it was cautiously optimistic for 2013/2014, with stable market development in German-speaking countries and eastern Europe, and a slight increase in business in the UK.
It is also confidently investing in its factories, including new coating and finishing facilities at the St Johann and Brilon factories for the production of melamine-faced boards with deep textures and other finishes.
The Gifhorn plant will be the focus of investments which enable the production of high-gloss laminates, while the UK plant at Hexham is undergoing a £20m new resin plant development to be completed in 2014.
Egger said its turnover in the last financial year ended April was €2.2bn, up 10% on the previous year.
“Despite the crises in some European countries and the problematic shortage of wood resources we could conclude a gratifying fiscal year,” said Ulrich Bühler, Egger Group’s head of sales and marketing.
“This shows that we are on the right track in our strategic decisions about investment and growth, as well as with our product investments.”
Egger has sought to mitigate the effects of resource scarcity and raw material price increases by having its own forest management companies, operating biomass power plants and owning glue production facilities.
It said the sovereign debt crisis in the euro area and poor development in labour markets could weaken domestic demand in some EU member states.
Egger, together with Acoustic Plus GmbH, received a “Best of the Best” award at the recent Interzum show for its perforated acoustic panels.
