Beckhoff Automation increases turnover to 278 million euros in 2008

Beckhoff Automation GmbH, with headquarters in Verl, Germany, closed the 2008 business year successfully with turnover growth of 20 %. The company’s 1,227 employees worldwide – a 12 % increase in personnel – generated turnover of 278 million euros in total.

Beckhoff Automation also expanded its global sales network last year by founding new subsidiaries in Slovenia and Turkey. Beckhoff is now represented worldwide in over 60 countries by 23 subsidiary companies and distributors. The export share of total turnover for Beckhoff was 44 % in 2008.

Hans Beckhoff, Managing Director of Beckhoff Automation, expresses his satisfaction: “We achieved very good results in 2008. Our PC-based control technology with decentralised I/O, software and drive technology all continue to be well received and have gained in market share.”

On account of the worldwide economic crisis that is affecting the entire automation industry, Beckhoff is not expecting growth in turnover this year, but certainly expects to gain new projects and customers. “In order to achieve these goals, we are continuing to expand our capacities in technology development, sales and marketing,” explains Hans Beckhoff. “As a technology and user-driven company, we can support our customers with better and less expensive solutions, particularly in times of crisis.”

One example of this is the fast XFC (eXtreme Fast Control) technology, which increases the reaction speeds of a machine controller by a factor of 10 compared to conventional market standards. This results in faster, more efficient machines that manufacture higher quality products while at the same time reducing materials and energy consumption. “We are convinced that XFC technology will help make significant contributions toward further technological advances by maximising economy and ecology through more efficient use of materials and energy resources,” explains Hans Beckhoff.

The international Beckhoff sales network will be expanded again this year by strengthening existing business structures, founding new subsidiaries and acquiring new distributors.