Budapest, Hungary, December 11 2006--Hungarian flooring company Graboplast said it expects to close 2006 with operating profit of almost HUF 2bn, 55pc more than in 2005, according to the Hungarian News Agency.
The company said it expects to finish the year with revenue of HUF 20.5bn, 21pc more than in 2005, CEO Peter Jancso told a press conference in Gyor on Friday. He noted that revenue had fallen in 2005 from a high base in 2004 and will exceed the 2004 figure by 6-7pc this year.
Exports have accounted for 93pc of sales in volume terms this year. Graboplast has sold its products in China, Romania, Ukraine, Russia and countries in the Middle East.
In 2007, Graboplast expects to boost revenue 10-13pc. However, profits are expected to stagnate because of higher feedstock prices.
Graboplast makes home flooring in Tatabanya (NW Hungary), parquet in Kecskemet (SE Hungary) and special flooring for sports centres, hospitals or vehicles, at its factory in Gyor. An expansion project at the parquet plant in 2005 doubled capacity.
Mr Jancso said he sees the biggest opportunity for growth in sales of special flooring. He added that the company had recently presented a new type of flooring for vehicles which was well received at a trade show in Cologne.
