GERMANY - According to provisional FY 2017 indicators, Surteco SE - the world's leading manufacturer of surface materials for the furniture and wood-based industry, reached consolidated sales of € 689.7 million, close to an 8 % increase when compared to FY 2016 sales results of € 639.8 million.

The Company attributed the main part of the rise on the first-time full consolidation of the British Nenplas Group acquired at the end of 2016 and the Portuguese Probos Group consolidated from July 2017.

Earnings before financial result and income tax (EBIT) at € 44.7 million were 9% above the year-earlier value of €40.9 million in spite of increases in the cost of raw materials that were in some cases very considerable.

“In 2017, Surteco achieved its year-end targets on the back of significantly increased sales owing to acquisitions and a gratifying increase in earnings. Thanks to the acquisition of Probos, we are also better positioned in markets than ever before on both the product side and regionally. As a result of this performance and in view of the positive economic expectations, we continue to have substantial opportunities to grow sales and earnings in 2018”, stated Dr. Herbert Müller, Chairman of the Board of Management of Surteco SE, commenting on the development.