DOLMAR maintains growth course during the 2006/2007 financial year.

Dolmar, the renowned Hamburg-based manufacturer of power products for the forestry, horticultural and construction sectors, once again reported double-digit growth for the financial year to 31 March 2007. And once again, therefore, the growth in sales at the old-established engineering firm, which celebrates its 80th anniversary this year, is well above the industry average.

Double-digit sales growth.

Thanks to the positive business trend at home and abroad, sales rose by 10% to € 119 million. At 532,000 units the number of power products sold passed the half-million mark for the first time, the increase in sales volume (13.7%) outstripping the growth in sales value. One of the year’s big successes was the complete relaunch of the product segment lawn mowers/lawn tractors, where sales rose by over 60% to 56,000 units. New orders to the value of € 125.8 million were taken during the year – up 11% on the previous year – while the number of orders on the books rose by a remarkable 26% to € 24.4 million.

Domestic sales performed well, and the company – working closely together with its network of authorized dealers – saw its turnover in Germany increase by 11%. Export sales also performed very satisfactorily, particularly in Russia, Poland and France.

MAKITA steps up its investment in the power product market.

The Makita concern, to which Dolmar has belonged since 1991, is planning to increase its share of the petrol-driven power product market in the coming years. For the 2006/07 financial year the parent concern, already one of the world’s leading suppliers of electric power products, achieved an outstanding profit-sales ratio of 17% (€ 291 million) on a turnover of € 1,712 million.

Over the next few years Makita sees excellent opportunities for growth in the petrol-driven power product sector, thanks not least to its strong global sales and distribution organization.
The first step towards an increased involvement in the market was taken by the Makita concern with the recently completed takeover of Fuji Robin Industries Ltd. The integration of the highly regarded Japanese manufacturer of grass trimmers/brushcutters and leaf blowers puts Makita in a strong position to accelerate the expansion of its power product business.

High levels of investment in new and environment-friendly products.

In the course of the past financial year Dolmar invested a high seven-figure sum of money in the development of new and environment-friendly products. Against a background of increasingly tough environmental legislation in Europe and the USA the company has developed new technologies that go beyond the capabilities of conventional 2-stroke technology. In addition to work aimed at further refining its 2-stroke engine designs, DOLMAR has also pressed ahead with the development of a 4-stroke engine, which will comfortably meet all future emissions standards. In the course of the 2006/07 financial year the company will be marketing its first disc cutter with catalytic converter in the USA.

At the trade show demopark 2007 Dolmar recently unveiled two new petrol chainsaws in the compact class. These powerful machines for the quality-conscious private and semi-professional user incorporate a series of technical refinements that set new standards in this product segment. The feedback from dealers has been very positive, and the company is confident that sales of the new petrol chainsaw models will continue to grow during the current financial year.

Dolmar creates new jobs.

At the company headquarters in Hamburg-Wandsbek Dolmar had an average of 488 employees on the payroll throughout the year. Full-time staff numbers (including trainees) rose by 23 to a total of 400.

Looking ahead with optimism.

With well-filled order books, new product launches and increased involvement in other European and overseas markets, Dolmar takes a very positive view of future growth prospects. Certainly the company expects to see a further double-digit increase in sales during the current financial year.